TEXT

STRUCTURES
ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
 Learning Competency:
Use knowledge of text structure to glean the information you
need.
(CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-Iac-4)
Identify the text structure used in the academic texts;

Write essays and/or articles using specific text structure;

and,

Use different text structures for blogging on important

events, places, concepts and ideas.
ACTIVITY 1:
PICK ME OUT!
Pick out the signal words
from the list and classify
them accordingly using the
boxes.
 and similarly consequently so finally
according to for example to start with or to address

Compare - Contrast Problem - Solution

Cause - Effect Descriptive

Sequence Question - Answer

 and similarly consequently so finally
according to for example to start with or to address

Compare - Contrast Problem - Solution

similarly to address

Cause - Effect Descriptive

consequently, so for example

Sequence Question - Answer

finally, to start with according to

 COMMON
TEXT
STRUCTUR
ES
Common Text Structures
◦ Text structure is how information in a text is organized.
◦ Being able to identify the structure of a text can greatly
increase students' comprehension of the material being read.
◦ According to Taylor (1992), students who are taught to
identify the structure of expository and narrative texts have
been found to have better comprehension than students who
have not received such instruction.
6 BASIC STRUCTURES
THAT ARE
COMMONLY FOUND IN
TEXTBOOKS AND/OR
ACADEMIC TEXTS
1. Compare-Contrast Structure

This type of text structure examines the

similarities and differences between two or
more people, events, concepts, ideas, etc.
The selection below uses compare and
contrast sentence structure.
 Most mobile phones sold today have an operating system that is either
designed by Apple or Google. Both of these operating systems allow
users to connect to application stores and download applications.
However, one major difference between these two operating systems is
that Apple makes the iOS operating system powering their iPhones and
iPads. In other words, the iOS operating system only appears on products
created by Apple. On the other hand, Google makes the Android
operating system that can be found on many different mobile phones and
tablets like Samsung, Sony and LG. So, which operating system do you
prefer - Android or iOS?
2. Cause-Effect Structure

This structure presents the causal

relationship between a specific event, idea,
or concept and the events, ideas, or concept
that follow. An action and its results are
explained.
 In the Philippines, it is the brown race that constitutes the
majority and the white or mestizo is the minority. It follows,
therefore, that the mean and measure in judging beauty is the
Malay skin, hair, eyes, nose, lips, body, and stance. As a
result, film producers and directors consciously build up
stars whose dominant features are Malay like Nora Aunor,
Angel Locsin, John Lloyd Cruz and Daniel Padilla.
3. Sequence Structure

This text structure gives readers a

chronological order of events or a list of
steps in a procedure.
 Egg is good for our health. One of the simplest recipe for egg is omelette.
It sounds like an expensive dish but actually it is very affordable and easy to
cook. To make an omelette like a pro, precook the toppings such as minced
onions and garlics, shred cheese, sliced tomatoes and other fresh herbs. Next,
crack the eggs into a bowl and add a splash of water. The steam from the water
makes the omelette light and fluffy. Then, whisk the egg-water mixture
vigorously with a fork until the whites and yolks are completely blended.
After that, heat the pan and add enough oil or butter in it. Pour the egg mixture
into the hot pan and let the egg set along the edges. After few seconds,
sprinkle the precooked toppings. Don’t forget then to season with salt and
pepper. That’s it! You have made the perfect omelette for breakfast.
4. Descriptive Structure

This type of text structure describes

something in order of space and how
something looks. It features a detailed
description of something to give the reader
a mental picture.
 Galileo was a thoughtful youth and doubtless carried on a
rich and varied reverie. He had artistic ability and might
have turned out to be a musician or painter. When he had
dwelt among the monks at Valambros, he had been tempted
to lead the life of a religious. As a boy, he busied himself
with toy machines and he inherited a fondness for
mathematics. All these facts are of record.
5. Problem-Solution Structure

This type of structure sets up a problem or

problems, explains the solution, and then
discusses the effects of the solution.
 Dr. Ramos doesn’t want the eagles to vanish. These
Philippine giant birds are disappearing at an alarming rate.
Dr. Ramos thinks that we should demand the government to
plan for immediate action in the preservation of this specie.
He also thinks that we should donate to Save the Eagles. Our
donations will help to support and empower those who are
fighting the hardest to preserve the eagles. With this, we can
make a difference. We owe it to our helping and caring
hands to do something.
6. Question - Answer Structure

This text structure starts by posing a

question then goes on to answer that
question.
 Why do we have schools? Schools deal important role in the
society and they have three main functions. First, students learn skills
that will help prepare them for society. Writing, reading, and
mathematics are essential in global market and workplace and
individuals likely learn these skills in schools. Second, schools serve
communities by providing safe havens for students in temporary
living situations. Third, schools provide a conducive environment for
children to engage in productive activities during many days of the
year while their adult caretakers may be working. These are the
reasons why we have schools in our society.
ACTIVITY 2:
SPOT THE CLUES!
Read the text below. Circle
the signal words used and
determine the text structure
applied in the text.
 Working on a computer may be easier and safer than working in a mine.
However, it doesn’t come without risks. Using a computer for a long time
can lead to poor eyesight, muscle loosening, back pain, and injuries to the
hands and wrists. If you find yourself working or playing on a computer
quite regularly, take a few steps to prevent these problems and you’ll thank
yourself later. To address this, taking frequent breaks when you are
computing for a long time is recommended. Specifically, you have to get up,
walk around, stretch your hands and wrists, and straighten your back every
once and a while. Undeniably, it can be hard to pull yourself away from
your computer once you get into a zone, but your body will thank you later
if you do. Thus, make your health a priority and don’t worry so much about
what is happening on that little screen.