TEXT ORGANIZATION

Text organization refers to how a text is organized to help readers follow and
understand the information presented. There are several standard forms that help
text organization when writing. This text organization guide will help you logically
guide your readers through your text.

1 Referring to Ideas Already Presented

Pronouns and determiners are used to refer to ideas, points, or opinions that you have
previously introduced. Here is a quick review of pronouns and determiners with
examples.

Pronouns

Remember that ideas, opinions, and arguments are considered objects in English which
take object pronouns.

It/it / its -> singular

they/them / their -> plural

Examples:

Its importance cannot be underestimated.

It now becomes clear that their role in the production is vital.
The government has given it sufficient consideration but rejected its validity.

Determiners

this / that -> singular

these / those -> plural

This is key: Children need to be encouraged to succeed.

Jefferson referred to those as unnecessary complications.

Make sure that pronouns and determiners are clearly defined either before, or
immediately after their introduction to avoid confusion.

Examples:

The need for economic growth is vital to any society. Without it, societies become
defensive and ……………………….... ('it' refers to 'need for economic growth)
These are vital for any job: interest, skills, manners………………………………………...
('these' refers to 'interest, skills, manners')

2 Providing Additional Information

Several forms are used to provide additional information in text organization. These
forms are used at the beginning of a sentence to link text to the previous sentence:

In addition to X, ...
As well as X, ...

Examples:

In addition to these resources, we will require a further investment of ...

As well as his difficulties in childhood, his continuing poverty as a young adult caused
many problems. (Other problems are already talked about previously)

These phrases can be used in the middle of a sentence or a phrase to provide additional
information in your text organization:

also
as well as

Examples:

Our commitment to the cause, as well as our financial resources, will make this possible.
There was also time considerations to take into account.

Not Only & But Also

The sentence structure 'Not only + clause, but also + clause' is also used to provide
additional information and emphasize the later point in your argument:

Examples:

Not only does he bring experience and expertise to the company, but he also has an
outstanding reputation.
Not only are the students improving their scores, but they are also having more fun.
3- Introducing several Points
It's common to use phrases to signify the fact that you will be making different points in
your text. The simplest way to indicate that you will be touching on a number of different
points is to use sequencers. The appearance of sequencers indicates that there are points
to follow or that precede your sentence. For more information on sequencers, continue on
to the section on sequencing your ideas for text organization.

There are also some set phrases that point to the fact that there are a number of points to
follow. Here are the most common:

There are a number of ways / means / manners ...

The first point to make is ...
Let's begin with the assumption that / the idea that / the fact that ...

Examples:

There are a number of ways we can approach this problem. First, ...
Let's begin with the assumption that all of our courses are necessary for our students.

Other phrases are used to indicate that one phrase is related to another in an additional
sense. These phrases are common in text organization:

For one thing ...

and another thing / and for another ...
besides that ...
and besides

Examples:

For one thing he doesn't even believe what he's saying.

..., and another thing is that our resources can't begin to meet the demand.

4- Contrasting Information

There are a number of ways to contrast information in text organization. In most cases,
two clauses are used: one with the most important information, as well as a clause
introduced with a word or phrase showing contrast. The most common of these are
‫اگرچہ‬ ( 'although, though, even though

), but, yet' and 'despite, in spite of'.

Although, Even Though, Though

Notice how 'though, even though' or 'although' show a situation which is contrary to the
main clause to express conflicting information. 'Even though', 'though' and 'although' are
synonymous. Use a comma after beginning a sentence with 'although, even though,
though'. No comma is required if you finish the sentence with 'although, even though,
though'.

Examples:

Even though it was expensive, he bought the car.

Though he loves doughnuts, he has given them up for his diet.
Although his course was difficult, he passed with the highest marks.

Whereas, While

'Whereas' and 'while' show clauses in direct opposition to each other. Notice that you
should always use a comma with 'whereas' and 'while'.

Examples:

Whereas you have lots of time to do your homework, I have very little time indeed.
Mary is rich, while I am poor.

'But' and 'yet' provide contrary information that is often unexpected. Notice that you
should always use a comma with 'but' and 'yet'.

Examples:

He spends a lot of time on his computer, yet his grades are very high.
The research pointed to a specific cause, but the results painted a very different picture.

5-- Showing Logical Connections and Relations

Logical consequences and results are shown by beginning sentences with linking
language indicating a connection to the previous sentence (or sentences). The most
common of these include 'as a result, accordingly, thus, hence, consequently'.

Examples:

As a result, all funding will be suspended until further review.

Consequently, the most important elements combine to provide a rich tapestry (high-
quality cloth) effect.
6-- Sequencing Your Ideas
In order to help your audience, understand, you need to link ideas together in your text
organization. One of the most important ways to link ideas is to sequence them.
Sequencing refers to the order in which events happened. These are some of the most
common ways to sequence in writing:

Beginning

Firstly,
First of all,
To start off with,
Initially,

Examples

Firstly, I began my education in London.

First of all, I opened the cupboard.
To start off with, we decided our destination was New York.
Initially, I thought it was a bad idea, ...

Continuing

Then,
After that,
Next,
As soon as / When + full clause,
... but then
Immediately,

Examples

Then, I started to get worried.

After that, we knew that there would be no problem!
Next, we decided on our strategy.
As soon as we arrived, we unpacked our bags.
We were sure everything was ready, but then we discovered some unexpected problems.
Immediately, I telephoned my friend Tom.
7-- Interruptions / New Elements to the Story
Suddenly,
Unexpectedly, all of a sudden etc.

Examples

Suddenly, a child burst into the room with a note for Ms. Smith.
Unexpectedly, the people in the room didn't agree with the mayor.

8-- Events Occurring at the Same Time

While / As + full clause
During + noun (noun clause)

Examples

While we were getting ready for the trip, Jennifer was making the reservations at the
travel agent's.
During the meeting, Jack came over and asked me a few questions.

Ending

Finally,
In the end,
Eventually,
Lastly,

Examples

Finally, I flew to London for my meeting with Jack.

In the end, he decided to postpone the project.
Eventually, we became tired and returned home.
Lastly, we felt we had had enough and went home.
 5 TYPES OF TEXT STRUCTURES
The first thing to know: Most nonfiction texts use one of five text structures.

Do you ever think to yourself, wow, these books feel like they follow a pattern…?
While sometimes authors are playful and creative to captivate the audience, most
stick to these text structures because they help support the author’s purpose and
message.

These are the five most common nonfiction text structures:

1. Description
2. Order & Sequence
3. Cause & Effect
4. Compare & Contrast
5. Problem & Solution

Description
Descriptive text structures can be found in so many nonfiction books for
elementary learners. Descriptive texts describe the main topic of a paragraph
or article. Authors use descriptive text instead of other text structures because they
want to teach the reader about a specific topic.

How to spot a descriptive text structure:

 A topic sentence that introduces a main theme or topic

 Supporting Sentences that describe that main theme or topic
 Descriptives words that help the reader visualize the topic—(5
senses)

The author’s purpose is to teach the reader about a specific topic. Descriptive text
is often found in books about nature and animals. The author is describing facts
about a specific topic. They give details so the reader can visualize and learn from
the text.

Order & Sequence

Order and sequence are another popular structure in nonfiction literature. Order
and Sequence text is written in sequential or linear order. Authors use order and
sequence because they want to narrate a true story or process in a way that easily
conveys the order of events.

You can spot “order and sequence” structures by noticing:

 Events or instructions that happen in order

 A topic sentence that starts a chain of events
 A concluding sentence that describes the final event
 Words such as: “In the beginning,” “Finally,” “First,” “Second,”
and “Third.”

The author’s purpose is to narrate a process or true story.

Therefore, biographies and how-to books often follow order and sequence text
structures. In biographies, authors typically write about a person’s life from birth to
death (or present day), including each event in the order it occurred within their
life.

Similarly, How-To books (such as cookbooks with recipes) need to use sequence
and order. The author aims to guide the reader from point A to point B. If you
write a process out of order, no one will be successful as they follow along.

Cause & Effect

Cause and effect is the most versatile of all the nonfiction text structures. A cause
and effect structure uses the pattern of “If… Then…” If ABC happens, then XYZ
will happen. In cause and effect, the author intends to explain a primary event and
the events that follow it.

You can spot “cause and effect” structures by noticing:

 A main event
 Additional events that happened afterward as a result of the
main event
 Words such as “because,” “since,” and “as a result of”
Cause and effect text structures can be found in various kinds of nonfiction
writing. Biographies? Yes. How-To? Yes. Historical nonfiction? Yes. Scientific
nonfiction? Yes. Persuasive writing? Yes!

Note: I’ve noticed that Cause and Effect text structures can confuse some students.
The “effects” of the main event vary in number and importance. You could have
one event that leads to three or four others, or only one.

Compare and Contrast

Compare and Contrast is also one of the most common text structures. Authors use
Compare and Contrast to highlight the similarities and differences between two (or
more) subjects.

Spot Compare and Contrast by noticing:

 A topic sentence that compares two topics or subjects

 Sentences that alternate describing two different subjects
 Keywords such as “Similarly,” “In contrast,” and “Both”

Problem & Solution

Problem & Solution. Authors use “Problem & Solution” when they want to
describe a problem and possible solutions.

Spot Problem & Solution structures by noticing:

 A topic sentence that introduces a problem

 Sentences that suggest possible solutions below
 Words such as “Problem,” “Solve,” “Therefore,” “So,” and
“Then.”

As adults, we are constantly consuming “problem and solution” text structures. It

is a common structure for persuasive writing. For kids, problem and solution texts
are harder to come by. I often look for texts about the environment and
communities where the author highlights local or world issues. In those texts,
authors often explain the issue at hand (problem) and how people are trying to
solve those issues(solution).