5 Type of Text Structure: Definition, Purpose and Examples

Understanding the type of text structure is most important to organize and configure the words in the required order. If you are a student, researcher, or practitioner, you must know how to use different text styles for your assignments, research papers, and professional communication.

This blog post from the paper writing service provides a comprehensive guide on 5 different types of text arrangements. It provides each text structure definition and explains how and when they should be used, along with specific transitional words and examples.

What is Text Structure? Definition and Meaning

Text structure refers to how the written words, text, or information is organized, arranged, configured, and presented. It is the most essential part of written communication in any language and serves different purposes for readers and writers alike.

To make it easier to understand, expert essay writers break it down for you to comprehend it from readers’ and writers’ perspectives separately.. 

Readers Perspective:

• Text arrangement helps readers to understand how the content is configured or ordered.
• Assists in identifying the main ideas and critical information presented by the writers.
• It supports readers in grasping the relationship between different parts of the sentence and paragraphs.
• Benefits to anticipate what information to come next. 
• It helps to browse the text quickly and efficiently by focusing on the relevant points and skipping the redundant data.
• It also facilitates identifying and understanding the patterns, comparing and contrasting the theme, and critically analyzing the author’s arguments and viewpoints.
• Aides in more profound understanding and interpreting the manuscript accurately.

Writers Perspective:

• Each type of text structure provides the writers with a systematic framework to build and design key ideas effortlessly.
• It serves to arrange arguments logically and cohesively to bring clarity.
• It helps writers make the information’s sequence and flow easily navigable.
• It acts as a tool to convey the message without ambiguity and confusion.
• Discussing the problem and the solution helps make the overall manuscript most compelling and engaging. In this way, the writer can increase the persuasiveness of the discussed ideas. 

5 Common Types of Text Structure

There are around five types of text structure: problem-solution, compare and contrast, descriptive or definition, sequence or chronological, and cause and effect.

Understanding each style is most important for you to write assignments or research papers as per the requirements. Suppose, if your assignment is to write a renewable energy essay, then you must know which text structure to use that perfectly aligns your purpose.

Well, now do you want to have a closer look at each type of text structure? Then, let’s discuss each type one by one.

Problem-Solution Text Structure

In a problem-solution text arrangement, you discuss some problems or challenges followed by their solutions. You highlight the different intended dilemmas or issues, underscores their causes, presents additional details, and offers various remedies.

Words to Use in Problem-Solution Structure

• Issue
• Problem
• Challenge
• Dilemma
• Obstacle
• Puzzle
• Trouble
• Complexity
• Drawback
• Complication

Transitional words

• Problem is: To introduce the problem or issue being discussed. For instance, the “problem is the lack of funds.”
• Dilemma is Also used to introduce the problem or difficult situation. For example, “the dilemma of the country’s poor economy is.”
• So that: It is used to express the purpose or intended outcome of the proposed solution. For instance, “We should use renewable resources to achieve etc.”
• If/then: This phrase gives conditional problems and their solutions. E.g “If we allocate more funds in education, we can increase literacy rate.”
• Question/answer: It includes posing a specific question as a part of the problem and then proposing its solution. For example, “How do you reduce environmental pollution? The answer lies in electric vehicles, etc. “
• The problem can be solved by etc. It is used to highlight the possibility of the solution in specific scenarios. For example, “Data privacy problems can be solved using effective cybersecurity measures.”

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Problem-Solution Text Structure Examples

Example 1

Problem: The dilemma of educated youth unemployment is the primary factor behind illegal activities. 

Solution: The government should allocate funds and announce stipends for unemployed graduates. 

Example 2

Problem: The primary cause of diseases is the consumption of polluted water. 

Solution: The remedy is to use only purified water available at government-designated stores. 

Example 3

Problem: The problem is writing compelling essay titles that engage the readers.

Solution: The best solution is to read a step-by-step guide on crafting a perfect essay title online.

Compare and Contrast Type of Text Structure

Compare and contrast writing design is used when the author wants to discuss the similarities and differences between two or more objects or ideas. This text structure aims to provide a balanced analysis of the objects or things by highlighting their commonalities and differences in their characteristics, functions, qualities, and other relevant aspects.

Transitional words

• However
• Nonetheless
• Nevertheless
• Likewise
• Similarly
• On the other hand
• But
• Although
• In contrast
• In comparison
• In the same way
• In a similar manner
• Either/or
• Conversely
• In the same way

Compare and Contrast Structure of Text Examples

Example1: Comparing and Contrasting the Online Education Platforms

Subject 1: Coursera

Subject 2: Udemy

Comparison:

• Coursera and Udemy are online educational platforms that provide students access to hundreds of courses for learning state-of-the-art technologies.
• Both platforms offer the flexibility of self-paced learning from anywhere in the world using an internet connection.

Contrast:

• Coursera has partnerships with educational institutes, whereas Udemy allows everyone to make accounts and publish their courses.
• The Coursera course offers a verified certificate along with academic credit options on completion of the course. Usdemy only provides course completion certificates without any academic credit.

Example 2: Comparing and Contrasting the types of expository writing in Essays.

Subject 1: Descriptive Essay

Subject 2: Explanatory Essay

Comparison: 

• The descriptive essay provides vivid sensory detail about the subject or topic being discussed. It aims to evoke the reader’s emotions and paint a clear picture in their mind.
• Similarly, the explanatory essay explains the topic, concepts, ideas, or phenomena. 
• It aims to educate the readers by clearly explaining complex ideas.

Contrast:

• The descriptive essay follows a chronological structure.
• On the other hand, the explanatory essay follows a logical and organized structure to present the information in headings, subheadings, etc.

Descriptive or Definition Text Structure

This text structure provides a comprehensive explanation or description of the subject or concept. It aims to describe the subject’s features, attributes, definitions, principal components, functions, examples, etc., to help readers understand the concepts more clearly. For example, it includes “What are the main characteristics?”, “How does each function work?” “How does it look?” “What is the definition of this particular concept?” etc.

Transitional words

• For example
• For instance
• As an example
• The main characteristics are
• Essential feature are 
• To illustrate
• Such as 

Example of Descriptive or Definition Text Arrangement

Example:

Title: Quality of Education in USA’s High Schools

Introduction: High schools in the USA provide students with modern education that helps them prepare for future endeavors. 

Description:

Educational institutes use state-of-the-art facilities to make students understand the curriculum theoretically and practically. Moreover, they also focus on building students’ analytical, critical, and problem-solving skills by assigning them real-world problems.

Qualified Teacher: The faculty in these institutes are internationally qualified and have extensive expertise in their respective subjects. The teachers make the complex topics easy to understand by providing examples and visual descriptions.

Extracurricular Activities: Besides providing standard education, high schools equally focus on extracurricular activities. These activities include games, debates, community services, art programs, etc.

Conclusion: In summary, high schools in the USA provide students with a quality education. Their focus on qualified staff, modern facilities, and resources expresses their commitment to imparting an education that aligns with international standards.

Sequence or Chronological Type of Text Structure

The sequence or chronological text structure focuses on providing the information in the order in which it occurred.

This arrangement aims to highlight the timeline and progression of the events from beginning, middle, and end, etc.

Transitional words

• Firstly
• Secondly
• Thirdly
• Later
• Next
• Before
• Finally
• After
• Since
• Now
• Previously
• Then
• And use of dates

Sequence and Chronological Text Structure Examples

Example:

Title: 7 Steps for Writing the Term Paper in 2024

• Step 1: Select the topic.
• Step 2: Conduct in-depth research.
• Step 3: Form the thesis statement.
• Step 4: Outline.
• Step 5: Write the first draft.
• Step 6: proofread and edit
• Step 7: Format the Paper

Cause and Effect Text Structure

The writer uses the cause-and-effect text structure to show the relationship between actions or events and their corresponding reactions and outcomes. This text style describes how one event causes the happening of the other events or how actions result in specific outcomes.

Some Transitional Words

• if/then
• Why
• Consequently
• As a result
• Since
• So that
• Due to
• Therefore
• Thus
• Because

Cause and Effect Text Structure Examples

Example: The Effects of Technology on Research Students

Cause: Accessibility to the Data and Information

Effect: Due to advanced technology, the researchers can quickly get the required data, information and guidance from online resources such as websites, communities, forums, etc.

Cause: Distraction due to Digital Devices and Social Media

Effect: Due to mobile phones and social media, students often need to focus on their purpose. They often spend time on irrelevant activities that decrease their productivity.

End Note on Type of Text Structure in 2024

Text structure plays a vital role in written communication that helps to convey the intended ideas or arguments accurately. In this post, we have understood each text structure’s definition and purpose by taking various practical examples.

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