Organizational Text Features

Why the need for organizational text features?

-To help the reader understand the information presented!Consider your purpose when looking for or using a text feature.

•Italics

•Bold

•Underlining

•Indentation

•Sidebars

External Text FeaturesExternal text structures are

often found outside the main body of text. They include:•Pictures and

graphics

•Headings and subheadings

•Footnotes

Internal Text Features

Internal text structure is how the main body of the text is organized. It will be organized a certain way depending on its purpose. There are 7 different internal structures:

Sequential / Chronological Compare and Contrast Cause and Effect Enumeration / Listing Concept / Definition Generalization Process

Sequential/Chronological

(Process*)

It tells the order of facts, events, or concepts

Signal words/phrases: Today Examples: timelines, records of Meanwhile historical events, First how-to guides

(first, Now turn the widget Not long ago until it’s tight,

next, Finally take a nap . . .) Next

Sequential/Chronological Example

First, Golden Eagles soar high along ridges near their nests. Then, they search for prey. When a meal is spotted, they attack in a long swoop.

Compare and Contrast

Tells how facts, people, and events and concepts are similar and different

Signal words/phrases: Similarly On the other hand However Yet In spite of

Compare and Contrast Example

Golden Eagles are apt to hunt for prey while Bald Eagles are more likely to take an easy meal.

Cause and Effect

Tells how fact, events, people, concepts happen or exist because of other facts

Signal words/phrases: As a result of Consequently So that Because of SinceExamples: history books, science books

Cause and Effect Example

So many Bald Eagles were killed by pesticides and illegal hunting. They were in danger of becoming extinct.

Enumeration/Listing

Tells a listing of facts and events in no special order

Signal words/phrases: Also Another Several FirstExamples: grocery list, listing of

examples

Enumeration/Listing Example

1. Golden Eagles are birds of prey.

2. Golden Eagles search for prey.

3. Golden Eagles swoop through the air to attack their prey.

Concept/Definition

Tells the explanation or description of a concept or topic by using synonyms and signal words

Signal words/phrases: Refers to Thus In other words Described as EqualsExample: textbooks, encyclopedias

Concept/Definition Example

Golden Eagles are powerful raptors with large dark brown bodies and small heads with golden crowns.

Generalization

A statement about a whole group. Could be too broad and not based on fact. Often the word "all" will make a generalization untrue. Ex. "All trees lose their leaves in the fall.”

Signal words/phrases: Always In factExamples: editorials, advertising

Generalization Example

Golden Eagles are birds of prey.

Process Tells the procedure or process

for how something is done/created

Signal words/phrases: Begins with In order toExamples: cookbooks, how-to

books, science textbooks