What is Text Structure?

Text structure is the way an author organizes information in a passage. Recognizing this helps you find information quickly and understand the text better.

Common Text Structures

• Cause and Effect: Shows how one thing leads to another.
• Compare and Contrast: Shows similarities and differences.
• Problem and Solution: Presents a problem and how it’s solved.
• Sequence: Lists events in order.

Spotting Text Structure

• Look for signal words like “because,” “however,” or “first, next, finally.”
• Notice how details are grouped together.

Why It Matters

Understanding structure makes it easier to answer questions and remember information for tests and real-world reading.