Year 7 English: Identify Text Structures

When you read different kinds of writing, such as stories, newspaper articles, or instructions, you’ll notice they aren’t all written the same way. Different types of texts have different structures, which means they are organised differently depending on their purpose.

Understanding text structures is important because it helps you know what to expect from a text, how to find information quickly, and how to improve your own writing by organising it properly.

Let’s explore some common text structures you may encounter.

Common Text Structures

1. Narrative Structure

A narrative is a story. It usually has a beginning, middle, and end. The story typically follows a character or several characters as they face challenges, make decisions, and experience events.

Key Features:

• Setting (Where and when the story takes place)
• Characters (People or creatures in the story)
• Plot (The events that happen)
• Conflict (The main problem or challenge)
• Resolution (How the problem is solved)

Example:

Once upon a time in a small village, there lived a brave girl named Maya. One day, Maya found a mysterious map…

2. Descriptive Structure

A descriptive text focuses on painting a clear picture of a person, place, thing, or event. It often uses sensory details (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch) to help readers imagine what’s being described.

Key Features:

• Uses adjectives and adverbs to provide detail
• Focuses on descriptions rather than actions
• Organised by what is most important or noticeable

Example:

The ancient oak tree stood tall and proud, its rough bark crisscrossed with deep lines and its thick branches spreading out like giant arms…

3. Expository Structure

An expository text explains or informs the reader about a topic. It is often used in textbooks, articles, and reports.

Key Features:

• Clear introduction of the topic
• Use of facts and examples
• Logical organisation of information, often using headings and subheadings
• Can include charts, graphs, or lists

Example:

The water cycle is the process by which water moves through the Earth’s atmosphere and surface. It consists of three main stages: evaporation, condensation, and precipitation…

4. Persuasive Structure

A persuasive text is written to convince the reader to agree with the writer’s opinion or take a particular action.

Key Features:

• Clear claim or argument
• Use of facts, evidence, and examples to support the argument
• Counterarguments that address opposing views
• Often uses emotive language to appeal to the reader’s feelings

Example:

Homework should be banned in schools. It takes away time that could be spent with family and friends, and research shows that too much homework can lead to stress and lack of sleep…

5. Instructional or Procedural Structure

This structure is used in texts that tell you how to do something, such as recipes, guides, or manuals.

Key Features:

• Clear step-by-step instructions
• Often uses imperative verbs (commands), such as “mix,” “turn,” or “cut”
• Organised in a logical order (what to do first, next, and last)
• May include diagrams or pictures to help explain the steps

Example:

To make a sandwich, first, take two slices of bread. Next, spread butter on one side of each slice. Then, add your favourite fillings…

Tips for Identifying Text Structures

• Look for headings and subheadings in expository or persuasive texts.
• In a narrative, ask yourself, “What is the main problem or conflict?”
• In descriptive writing, notice if the text focuses more on describing things rather than telling a story.
• Persuasive texts will often use language that tries to make you agree with the writer’s opinion.
• Instructional texts often give commands and list things in a specific order.

Questions

Easy Difficulty

1. What is the main feature of a narrative text?
2. Which text structure describes things using sensory details?
3. Name one example of a text that uses an instructional structure.
4. What is the purpose of a persuasive text?
5. What type of structure is often used in textbooks?
6. In a narrative, what is the “resolution”?
7. What structure uses characters and settings?
8. How do you recognise a descriptive text?
9. Which structure is commonly used in manuals?
10. What kind of structure usually includes facts and examples?
11. Which type of text aims to inform or explain something?
12. Give one example of a narrative.
13. Which text structure would most likely include an argument?
14. What is an imperative verb, often used in procedural texts?
15. Why are headings and subheadings used in expository texts?
16. What structure would most likely use words like “problem” and “solution”?
17. What does a persuasive text try to do?
18. In what structure would you find step-by-step instructions?
19. What is the role of “conflict” in a narrative?
20. What type of structure focuses on giving the reader a clear picture of something?

Medium Difficulty

1. What is the difference between a narrative and an expository text?
2. How does a persuasive text support its argument?
3. What features make instructional texts easy to follow?
4. What type of information is usually found in the introduction of an expository text?
5. Why might a descriptive text use sensory details?
6. In what structure are characters and their actions most important?
7. How can a reader identify a procedural text?
8. What is the main difference between a persuasive and descriptive text?
9. Why is it important for a persuasive text to address counterarguments?
10. What role do examples play in expository writing?
11. What clues can help you spot a narrative?
12. In what kind of text would you expect to find emotional appeals?
13. How does the use of facts help in a persuasive text?
14. What type of text would include a chronological list of events?
15. Why is it useful to identify text structures while reading?
16. What does “logical organisation” mean in expository texts?
17. What are some examples of procedural texts?
18. How does the structure of a narrative create tension?
19. How might a writer of a descriptive text use metaphors?
20. What is the importance of the setting in a narrative?

High Difficulty

1. Explain how a writer might combine narrative and descriptive structures in a text.
2. How can identifying the text structure improve your comprehension of a text?
3. Why is it important for expository texts to use headings and subheadings?
4. Compare and contrast the use of evidence in persuasive and expository texts.
5. How do procedural texts ensure that readers can follow their instructions easily?
6. What impact does the sequence of events have on the tension in a narrative text?
7. In what way can emotive language be both a strength and a weakness in persuasive writing?
8. How can sensory details in descriptive texts influence the reader’s emotions?
9. How does the inclusion of a counterargument strengthen a persuasive text?
10. Explain how different structures might be used in combination within a newspaper article.
11. Why might a writer choose to use an expository structure for a report?
12. What is the relationship between conflict and resolution in a narrative?
13. Why do procedural texts often avoid using complex vocabulary?
14. How can a writer of a narrative create a sense of place using descriptive elements?
15. How do text structures affect the way you approach reading different types of texts?
16. How can a writer of a persuasive text use facts to manipulate a reader’s opinion?
17. In what way does structure help make an expository text easier to understand?
18. Why is it important for a procedural text to use a logical sequence?
19. How might the absence of a resolution affect a narrative text?
20. How does the tone of a descriptive text impact its effectiveness?

Answers

Easy Difficulty

1. It tells a story.
2. Descriptive structure.
3. Recipes or manuals.
4. To convince the reader.
5. Expository structure.
6. How the problem is solved.
7. Narrative structure.
8. It focuses on details and sensory language.
9. Instructional or procedural structure.
10. Expository structure.
11. Expository text.
12. A fairy tale.
13. Persuasive structure.
14. A command verb, like “cut” or “mix.”
15. To organise information.
16. Expository text.
17. Persuade the reader.
18. Instructional or procedural text.
19. It drives the plot.
20. Descriptive structure.

Medium Difficulty

1. A narrative tells a story, while an expository text explains something.
2. By providing evidence and examples.
3. They are clear and step-by-step.
4. An explanation of the topic.
5. To help readers visualise the topic.
6. Narrative structure.
7. By its step-by-step commands.
8. Persuasive tries to convince; descriptive focuses on details.
9. It shows fairness and addresses opposing views.
10. They help clarify or support the topic.
11. Characters, setting, and a plot.
12. Persuasive text.
13. It makes the argument stronger.
14. Narrative structure.
15. It helps understand the text’s purpose.
16. The text is ordered in a clear, easy-to-follow way.
17. Recipes, instructions.
18. It builds suspense for the reader.
19. To compare things in an interesting way.
20. It helps establish mood and setting.

High Difficulty

1. By telling a story while describing the surroundings in detail.
2. It helps you find information more easily and understand the purpose.
3. It organises the information for easy reading.
4. Persuasive texts use evidence to argue, while expository texts explain.
5. By breaking down tasks into small steps.
6. It builds drama and interest for the reader.
7. It can be too manipulative or misleading.
8. They make the text more engaging and vivid.
9. It shows the writer has considered other opinions.
10. A story might include facts or instructions.
11. It’s a clear way to present information.
12. Conflict creates tension, and resolution solves it.
13. To make instructions easy for all readers.
14. By using vivid imagery and language.
15. Different structures have different reading strategies.
16. They might choose facts that support their argument.
17. The structure presents facts logically.
18. It prevents confusion.
19. It leaves the reader unsatisfied or thinking.
20. It helps create atmosphere and engage the reader.