Text Structure

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Why it works

Expository and narrative texts are organized in recognizable structures, for informational text: description, sequence, compare-contrast, cause-effect, problem-solution; for narrative: story grammar (setting, characters, problem, events, resolution), and research shows that teaching students to recognize and use these structures improves comprehension, recall, and the ability to locate and organize information, because structure provides a mental framework for what to expect and how ideas relate. Teaching text structure explicitly, naming the structures, showing their signal words and graphic organizers, and having students identify and use them while reading (and writing), is especially powerful for informational text and for struggling readers. The structure is a map, and teaching it makes reading more strategic.

The research: Research on text structure instruction.

The run-of-show

Choose your slot. The agenda, timings, and length update to match.

The core activity: teach the structures as a map

Teachers leave teaching a text structure with signal words and organizers.

Pick a text and identify its structure (compare-contrast, cause-effect, sequence, etc.).
Name the structure and its signal words.
Use a matching graphic organizer and model identifying the structure.
Have students recognize and use text structure while reading (and writing).

Structure is a map for readingTexts are organized in predictable structures. Teach students to recognize them, name them, spot signal words, use organizers, so structure becomes a map that aids comprehension and recall.

Facilitator notes

Name the structures and signal words, and use matching graphic organizers.
Model and practice identifying structure.
Apply to reading and writing.

Ignoring text structure leaves readers without a mapReaders who do not recognize how a text is organized miss how ideas relate. Teach text structures explicitly, with signal words and organizers.

Adapt it

Elementary: story grammar, simple expository structures.
Secondary: expository structures, signal words, complex text.
All settings: name structures, signal words, organizers, apply.

Participant handout

One page for every teacher. Print it, or save it as a PDF.

K12 Academics · Professional Learning

Text Structure: a map for reading

Recognize the organization: name structures, teach signal words, use organizers, and apply to reading and writing.

The text and its structure (compare-contrast, cause-effect, sequence, etc.):
The structure name and its signal words:
The matching graphic organizer I use:
How students recognize and use the structure while reading:
A structure to teach explicitly:

Make it stick

A map for reading:

Teach the structures as a map.
Use signal words and organizers.
Bring a text-structure lesson to the next PLC.

Common questions

What is text structure?

The way a text is organized, for informational text: description, sequence, compare-contrast, cause-effect, problem-solution; for narrative: story grammar. Recognizing the structure gives readers a map for understanding and remembering.

Why does teaching it help?

Recognizing the structure provides a framework for what to expect and how ideas relate, improving comprehension, recall, and the ability to find and organize information. It is especially powerful for informational text and struggling readers.

How do I teach text structure?

Name the structures, show their signal words and matching graphic organizers, model identifying them, and have students use them while reading (and writing). Make the structure visible and strategic.