Identify text structures
key notes:
Writers can organize their ideas in different ways. These ways of organizing writing are called text structures. When you can tell how a text is organized, it’s easier to understand how the writer’s ideas go together. You can also use these text structures to organize your own writing.
Learn with an example
🐵Read the text.
You don’t often see a goose flying by itself. The trouble is that it’s hard work for a goose to fly alone. The wind pushes back against it as it flies. More commonly, you’ll see a group of geese flying in the shape of a ‘V’. When they do, the geese in front block some of the wind. This makes it easier for the geese flying behind. The geese take turns doing the hard work at the front of the ‘V’. Using this plan, they are able to fly farther without getting as tired.
🐵 Which text structure does the text use?
- problem-solution
- descriptive
The text uses a problem-solution structure to show how geese keep from getting tired when they fly.
| Problem | Solution |
| geese get tired when flying against the wind alone | flying in a ‘v’ helps the geese in the back and changing places shares the hard work |
In the text, certain words and phrases help to organise ideas in a problem-solution structure. Notice the words trouble, easier and plan:
You don’t often see a goose flying by itself. The trouble is that it’s hard work for a goose to fly alone. The wind pushes back against it as it flies. More commonly, you’ll see a group of geese flying in the shape of a ‘V’. When they do, the geese in front block some of the wind. This makes it easier for the geese flying behind. The geese take turns doing the hard work at the front of the ‘V’. Using this plan, they are able to fly farther without getting as tired.
🐵Read the text.
The Great Chicago Fire burned for two days in October 1871. There are several reasons why the fire did so much harm. The fire spread quickly through Chicago because many of the city’s buildings were wood. The fire was also harder to fight due to the dry weather. Luckily, the next day, it started to rain. As a result, firefighters were finally able to get the fire under control.
🐵 Which text structure does the text use?
- compare-contrast
- cause-effect
The text uses a cause-effect structure to show why the Great Chicago Fire was so bad.
| Cause | Effect |
| buildings were made of wood | fire spread quickly through the city |
| weather was dry | fire was hard to fight |
| it rained | firefighters could control the fire |
In the text, certain words and phrases help to organise ideas in a cause-effect structure. Notice the words reasons and because, as well as the phrases due partly to and as a result:
The Great Chicago Fire burned for two days in October 1871. There are several reasons why the fire did so much harm. The fire spread quickly through Chicago because many of the city’s buildings were wood. The fire was also harder to fight due to the dry weather. Luckily, the next day, it started to rain. As a result, firefighters were finally able to get the fire under control.
🐵Read the text.
The country of Zambia, in Africa, is home to many important wild animals. There are laws that protect these animals. Sadly, people still hunt them. So, the government brought in dogs to help in the fight against illegal hunting. The dogs can find traps before they catch wild animals. The dogs also aid wildlife officials in finding and catching the hunters. The dogs’ work has saved thousands of wild animals.
🐵 Which text structure does the text use?
- problem-solution
- compare-contrast
The text uses a problem-solution structure to show how trained dogs help protect wildlife in Zambia.
| Problem | Solution |
| hunters killing wildlife in zambia | dogs hunters killing wildlife in Zambia |
In the text, certain words and phrases help to organise ideas in a problem-solution structure. Notice the words sadly, help, aid and saved:
The country of Zambia, in Africa, is home to many important wild animals. There are laws that protect these animals. Sadly, people still hunt them. So, the government brought in dogs to help in the fight against illegal hunting. The dogs can find traps before they catch wild animals. The dogs also aid wildlife officials in finding and catching the hunters. The dogs’ work has saved thousands of wild animals.
let’s practice!
Read the text.
We usually buy honey in a jar, but where does it come from? Honey starts with bees flying around looking for flowers. Once they find flowers, the bees collect nectar, which is a sugary liquid inside flowers. The bees fill up on nectar, then carry it back to their beehive. Next, other bees in the hive take the nectar. These bees put the nectar into little holes in a honeycomb, or frame made of wax. Finally, the bees fan the nectar with their wings to dry it. This makes the nectar thicker, until it becomes honey!