Text structure is how information is organized in writing. Text structures, or patterns of organization, not only vary from writing to writing, but text structures may also change frequently from paragraph to paragraph within a single piece of writing. Though not all text can fit snugly into one of the patterns of organizations explained in this website, the purpose of this website is to prepare students to identify text structure on standardized tests. Though requirements vary from state to state, in many states, students are required to accurately identify the text structure in specific passages. We will cover seven common types of patterns of organizations or text structures:
- Chronological
- Compare and Contrast
- Order of Importance
- Sequence
- Spatial
- Cause and Effect
- Problem and Solution
Here is a series of simple text structure worksheets. In this series, students are introduced to each pattern of organization.
Here is a series of more advanced text structure worksheets. These worksheets require students to know each pattern of organization and to be able to identify when each is used.
Common Core State Standards Related to Text Structure
Expand to View All Common Core State Standards Related to Text StructureCCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.5 – Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.
ELA Standards: Informational Texts
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.5 – Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.5 – Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.5 – Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.5 – Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.5 – Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.5 – Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging.
View Source
Common Core Lesson and Unit Plans
Understanding Common Core State Standards
Text Structure Worksheets
Text Structure Activities
All Reading Worksheets
Ali
/ October 24, 2023This topic was helpful for me. Now I have an overview of how to manage my writing.
NIRALIBEN
/ January 17, 2023good information to help study.
Monica Davis
/ September 15, 2022I wish to thank you for the information and organized structure of your work in the teaching Reading and Writing.As a teacher of often struggling adult students, I have been able to use your work to advantage.
Great Work!
Intan
/ May 20, 2022Thank you for all the helpful and useful materials! I always use this website for my study purpose. All of the materials shared are high quality
Intan
/ May 20, 2022Thank you for all the helpful and useful materials!
ana
/ November 27, 2020I love you!
Jack Hartawan Djojosoemarto
/ May 6, 2020I am an English learner from South East Asia. I found this website very helpful especially like me, a student.
Thank you so much for making this website making learning material much more fun and affordable. I can’t afford it if it were commercial.
Thank you a million
Mr. Morton
/ May 7, 2020You are welcome! Thank you for sharing your experience. It is very inspiring.
Amy Chrischilles
/ April 24, 2019I’m looking for articles for RI7.9: Analyze how two or more authors write about the same topic in different ways……
Please help.
Najwa Najjar
/ March 25, 2019Thank you so much for the valuable information
lorna
/ February 25, 2019It really helped a lot esp in preparing my worksheets.
Annette Duarte
/ February 10, 2019You’re the best! Thanks for sharing! This is extremely valuable for educators!
manny miller
/ October 10, 2018thank you, you come in clutch all the time
tyler h
/ May 2, 2018dude i love you
Msafiri Hamisi
/ August 20, 2017Thank you
Pavel
/ November 27, 2016Super! Great! Thank you very much!
Ampomah Ofori
/ November 26, 2016very helpful. But how my lecturer categorized was quit different, like this,
a.simple listing includes;
i. order of importance
ii. spatial
iii. chronological
iv. enumeration(ordinal and cardinal)
b. cause and effect
c. compare and contrast
d. problem and solution
Susan Ibale
/ November 23, 2016Really helpful. Thanks!
ho lee fook
/ March 31, 2016I like this
Grace A.
/ December 15, 2015This really helped alot with study guides for English finals. I really wish I had found this site sooner. Amazing job on the site btw! Thnx again! :3
Andrew MacMillan
/ December 11, 2015Im doing an arguement, and i cant figure out which oranization order to put it as it is about limiting ticket prices for sporting events which one should it go in?
Mr. Morton
/ December 11, 2015Well, it’s really up to you.
You could do problem and solution, describing how some fans can’t afford seats and how price caps on tickets would solve that.
Really, I don’t recommend that you visualize your argument in terms of patterns of organization.
Just write your argument in a clear and logical way.
Matthew liter
/ December 10, 2015Thank you for the very lovely information.
Patrice Cibangu
/ December 6, 2015It’s an interesting site, for sure!
miranda
/ October 26, 2015i helps a little but still having trouble with it
Mr. Morton
/ October 26, 2015What is troubling you specifically? Maybe I can help…
Ashley
/ October 12, 2015thanks…!!!!!!
tianal
/ October 2, 2015this is so wonderful 🙂
tiana:-)
/ October 2, 2015this is a good strategy or whatever you wanna call it but its wonderful
Leah Wright
/ September 17, 2015thanks i love this website!
aila
/ August 18, 2015it helped me alot 🙂
diana
/ May 25, 2015Thanks for helping
Erwin Comment
/ March 23, 2015i coudnt find what i wanted but im writting an essay and dont know this question (what pattern will you use in your essay?)
Mr. Morton
/ March 27, 2015Well, an essay will most likely use many different patterns. In one paragraph you may compare and contrast two things. In another you may propose a solution to a problem. In yet another, you may describe a cause and effect or multiple causes and / or effects. The structure of a text will vary from paragraph to paragraph. A single paragraph may even use multiple structures.
abby
/ October 9, 2014thanks this really helped me with my college work
Mr. Morton
/ October 11, 2014You are most welcome.
abby
/ October 9, 2014thanks this is really helping me with my college work.
alice
/ September 28, 2014thanks for sharing,it is very helpful to me!
KING FRANCISCO
/ April 25, 2014UMM… THIS WEB SITE HELPED ME ALOT THANX
Mason Waring
/ January 15, 2014Love this website! Wish I would have found about this sooner.
Mary Ann Arboleda
/ July 27, 2013thank you
Angela Padora
/ January 8, 2013THANK YOU!!!!
abberks
/ October 17, 2012thanks for this post. it helped a lot for reference to my upcoming exam. =)
Jacky
/ January 15, 2012Thank you! the videos are very informative!
Camila
/ March 8, 2011Are you going to upload any worksheets and activities?
Mr. Morton
/ March 8, 2011Sorry for the unclear layout and thank you for bringing that to my attention. I think they’ll be easier to find now.
Lee Mina
/ February 23, 2011Hello, I want to learn “patterns of organization” for my study.
Please help me. ^^
Mr. Morton
/ February 23, 2011Happy to help. What do you need to know?
julianah
/ October 10, 2014no comment
Jenny De Castro
/ February 16, 2011Great tool for students