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Writers choose their words carefully to convey meaning. They rely on text structure, which includes the organizational structure of the text, to help convey this meaning. There are five basic types of organizational structures of the text:
- Description
- Sequence or Timeline
- Compare and Contrast
- Cause and Effect
- Problems and Solution
Sometimes you will also see a writer use "signal words," which can give you a hint about what kind of text structure is being used. Review each topic below to learn more about the different types of text structure.
Term |
Signal words |
Text example |
---|---|---|
Description Writers use description to describe something, or convey how something looks, acts, feels, tastes, sounds and so on. |
for example |
Joseph Stalin established a totalitarian government in the Soviet Union. A feature of totalitarianism is that the government controls all aspects of public and private life whenever possible. |
What signal words demonstrate that the text is an example of Description?
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The signal words that demonstrate Description are:
A feature of
Joseph Stalin established a totalitarian government in the Soviet Union. A feature of totalitarianism is that the government controls all aspects of public and private life whenever possible.
Term |
Signal words |
Text example |
---|---|---|
Sequence or Timeline Writers use sequence to explain how events or steps in a process take place. |
first |
After Vladimir Lenin’s stroke in 1922, competition began to become his successor. Stalin began his climb to power from 1922 to 1927. By 1928, Stalin was in command of the Communist Party. Following the elimination of his competitors, Stalin then seized absolute power as a dictator. |
What signal words demonstrate that the text is an example of Sequence or Timeline?
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The signal words that demonstrate Sequence or Timeline are:
after
following
then
After Vladimir Lenin's stroke in 1922, competition began to become his successor. Stalin began his climb to power from 1922 to 1927. By 1928, Stalin was in command of the Communist Party. Following the elimination of his competitors, Stalin then seized absolute power as a dictator.
Term |
Signal words |
Text example |
---|---|---|
Compare and Contrast Writers use compare and contrast to explain similarities and differences. |
similar |
Unlike democracies in which citizens have many rights and personal freedoms, totalitarian states control all aspects of society. In contrast to democracies, totalitarian governments control the press, media and other sources of information. |
What signal words demonstrate that the text is an example of Compare and Contrast?
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The signal words that demonstrate Compare and Contrast are:
unlike
in contrast
Unlike democracies in which citizens have many rights and personal freedoms, totalitarian states control all aspects of society. In contrast to democracies, totalitarian governments control the press, media and other sources of information.
Term |
Signal words |
Text example |
---|---|---|
Cause and Effect Writers use cause and effect to explain how an event caused another to occur. |
causes |
Stalin aimed to create a perfect communist state in Russia. In order to achieve his goal, he believed he needed to eliminate his enemies. For this reason, anyone who disagreed with his policies was arrested, imprisoned or executed. |
What signal words demonstrate that the text is an example of Cause and Effect?
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The signal words that demonstrate Cause and Effect are:
in order
for this reason
Stalin aimed to create a perfect communist state in Russia. In order to achieve his goal, he believed he needed to eliminate his enemies. For this reason, anyone who disagreed with his policies was arrested, imprisoned or executed.
Term |
Signal words |
Text example |
---|---|---|
Problem and Solution Writers use problem and solution to describe a problem and the steps taken to solve it. |
because |
Because Stalin wanted to boost food production, he took steps to collectivize, or place all farmland under government control. The kulaks, or wealthy peasants, resisted by destroying livestock and crops. Stalin’s solution was the elimination of the kulaks. |
What signal words demonstrate that the text is an example of Problem and Solution?
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The signal words that demonstrate Problem and Solution are:
Because
solution was
Because Stalin wanted to boost food production, he took steps to collectivize, or place all farmland under government control. The kulaks, or wealthy peasants, resisted by destroying livestock and crops. Stalin's solution was the elimination of the kulaks.