Text Structure and Organization for TEAS Reading
Understanding how a passage is organized can make reading-comprehension questions easier. Authors do not always present information randomly. They often use recognizable structures to explain ideas, compare subjects, describe events, or show relationships between ideas. Recognizing the structure can help you understand the author's overall approach to the passage.
What Is Text Structure?
Text structure refers to the way information is arranged. Common structures include:
- Cause and effect
- Compare and contrast
- Problem and solution
- Chronological order
- Description
- Sequence or process
Cause and Effect
A cause-and-effect structure explains why something happened and what resulted from it. Look for relationships such as: Because of X, Y occurred. Words such as because, therefore, resulted in, consequently, and due to can provide clues.
Compare and Contrast
A compare-and-contrast passage discusses similarities and differences between two or more subjects. Watch for words such as:
- Similarly
- Likewise
- However
- Unlike
- In contrast
- Whereas
The author may use this structure to help readers understand how two ideas relate.
Problem and Solution
A problem-and-solution structure introduces an issue and then discusses one or more possible ways to address it. Ask:
- What problem is being described?
- What solution does the author present?
- Does the author support that solution?
Chronological Order
Chronological organization presents information according to time. This structure is common when authors describe:
- Historical events
- Personal experiences
- Processes
- Developments over time
Pay attention to dates and transition words such as first, next, later, afterward, and finally.
How to Identify the Structure
After reading a passage, ask: “How did the author choose to arrange these ideas?” Do not focus only on individual sentences. Look at how the paragraphs work together.
Final Takeaway
Recognizing text structure can help you understand a passage more efficiently. Practice identifying whether a passage uses cause and effect, comparison, problem and solution, chronological order, or another organizational pattern.
