English for Academic and

Professional Purposes
Discussant: Christy Joy T. Dacula
Understanding Text
Structures
What is a Text Structure?
• A “structure” is a
building or
framework

• “Text structure”
refers to how a text
is written
Text Structure
• It refers to how the information within a
written text is organized.
• This strategy will help students to understand
the main idea of the text.
• Learning how to recognize common text
structures can help students their monitor
comprehension.
LET US LEARN!
 Types of Text Structure
1. Chronological Order/Recount of Sequence
2. Cause and Effect
3. Comparison and contrast
4. Description
5. Problem and solution
6. Definition
1. Chronological Order
Chronological order / Recount
of Sequence
Information is
organized in time of
order
Chrono=time
Logic=order

Key Word : first, next,

later, then, and finally
 Which paragraph is in
chronological order?
Pennsylvania has many Through the ages,
Pennsylvania has seen
historic sites. You can visit many interesting events.
Revolutionary war sites, like The state was founded in
Valley Forge. You can also 1681 by William Penn.
visit important locations Later, Pennsylvania was
the site of important
from the Civil War, like Revolutionary War battles.
Gettysburg. Finally, you can After that, Pennsylvania
also see the site of the first was home to new factories
during the Industrial
oil well in Titusville. Revolution. Today,
Pennsylvania has many neat Pennsylvania continues to
places to visit! make history.
 This paragraph is in
chronological order.
Through the ages, Pennsylvania
has seen many interesting events.
The state was founded in 1681 by
William Penn. Later, Pennsylvania
was the site of important
Revolutionary War battles. After
that, Pennsylvania was home to new
factories during the Industrial
Revolution. Today, Pennsylvania
continues to make history.
 We can use Flowchart and Timeline
in illustrating Chronological order or
Recount of Sequence.
Timeline Example 1
Timeline Example 2
Flowchart
Example
2. Cause and Effect
 Cause and Effect
Cause – the reason why something happens
Effect - what is the result

• Reasons why a situation is obtained

• The relationship between reasons and results.
The combination of action and reaction.
• Key Words: cause, effect, as a result,
consequently, and so
Cause and Effect Example

Not feeding it.

Why Dog
Not petting it.
Ran Away

Not loving it.

 Examples of Cause and Effect
statements
□ Cause
□ Effect
• A tornado blew the roof off the house, and as a
result, the family had to find another place to live.
• Since class was cancelled, we went to the mall.
• Mixing pigments creates new colors.
• Pedaling a bicycle results in movements of chains,
gears, and wheels.
• Recognizing CAUSE and EFFECT
while you read will help you
understand why things happen,
which helps with your
comprehension.
3. Comparison and
Contrast
Comparison and Contrast

• Shows how two or

more things are
alike and different.

• Key Words:
Venn Diagram
same as, different
from, similar, alike,
both,
To Compare is to find the similarities
To Contrast is to find the differences

Apples &
Oranges

Fruits Colors

Have Seeds Tastes

Healthy
Locations
Can you find the clue words?
The cardinal and the cedar
waxwing are two common birds. Both
have crests on their heads. Both are
common at birdfeeders. But the birds
have some differences. The male
cardinal is a bright red, while the
waxwing is brown. The cedar
waxwing often migrates from place to
place. On the other hand, the cardinal
stays in one place year after year.
Examples of Comparison and
Contrast
Recognizing a compare and contrast
structure will help you understand more
about both topics as you read.
4. Description
 Description
A topic, idea, person, place, or
thing is described by listing its
features, characteristics, or
examples. Description is all about
stating the qualities of the topic.
Examples of Descriptive sentences
• My dog’s fur felt like silk against my skin
and her black coloring absorbs the sunlight
and reflecting like a pure, dark mirror.
• Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the
world. Millions of people play soccer.
• Beauty is being the best possible version of
yourself on the inside and out.
Because you know the selection will be
structured in a predictable way, you will
read with purpose.
5. Problem and
Solution
Problem and Solution
Tells about a problem then
gives one or more
solutions.

Key Words: to solve this,

one reason for, the problem
is.., difficulty, struggle,
uncertainty, worry, threat,
hope, possibility, answer
 Problem and Solution

Starts with a negative situation

(Problem) and ends with a
positive situation (Solution).
An example of problem and solution
Park School had a
terrible problem. Every
day at recess, students
would argue over the
slides. Teachers had to
spend time every day
taking care of the
arguments. Finally, one
teacher came up with a
great solution. They
bought another set of
slides that everyone could
enjoy.
 Example of Problem and
Solution
• In northern areas, the weather is too cold to
grow crops all year long. But some farmers
have found a way to grow food. They built
a greenhouse which is a special building
that stays warm in the winter. Crops like
lettuce and basil can grow well in the
greenhouse, even when the weather is cold.
• Recognizing this text structure
will cause you to understand the
problem better and keep
focused to find the solution.
6. Definition
 Definition
• Explains the nature of
something
• The dictionary meaning
of a word.
 Examples of Definition
1. Texting, as an abbreviated form of
writing used on mobile phone and
pages with tiny screens and keyboards.
2. Photosynthesis is the process by
which plants/producers produced their
own food.
GROUP ACTIVITY
 - End of
presentation -