Structure of a text

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In this lesson from a PROFESSOR we will see what the structure of a text is at a general level, since, depending on its typology, a text is organized in different ways. Thus, we are going to study what are the fundamental parts in any text, regardless of its purpose or function.

Before you begin, it is worth reviewing the definition of text. We understand by text the fundamental unit used in communication, both oral and written. All text is transmitted through a set of graphic and orthographic signs, which vary from one language to another. Likewise, a text must make sense and logic in order to convey a message. Next we are going to study in depth the structure of a text.

Index

1. The elements that make up a text
2. The basic structure of a text
3. The characteristics of a text
4. Different types of text structure
5. Structure of an argumentative text
6. Structure of an expository text
7. Structure of a literary text

A text, according to Spanish dictionary (DLE) is a "statement or coherent set of oral or written statements". Following this definition, we can say that the structure of a text is analyzed starting from the smallest linguistic elements to the largest or complex ones.

Thus, we can say that the minimum unit that makes up a text is the word and the words are organized into sentences that in turn form paragraphs, which structure the composition of a text. Here we show you this classification from lowest to highest in a schematic way: word - sentence - paragraph - text.

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The analysis of the structure of a text can be carried out on two levels: the inner plane and outer plane of the same. In this way, the external structure of a text is the organization of the paragraphs and the main ideas that you want to convey.

For this reason, the external structure of a text is closely related to the type of text; thus, an argumentative text will have a different external structure from a narrative text, since that each one of them has a different purpose and, therefore, they are organized following rules different.

In relation to the internal structure of a text, this refers to the way in which its content or theme is distributed; that is, from the information that the text transmits to us, it will be organized into several parts that make up its internal structure (or also called thematic).

In this way, the internal structure of a text usually follows the following scheme: Statement of the main idea - Body where the main idea is developed - Conclusion where everything explained about the main idea is briefly summarized.

In this other lesson from a TEACHER we will discover the structure of a narrative text, the structure of an expository text and the structure of an argumentative text.

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As we have said before, a text is a statement or group of statements encoded (orally or in writing) by means of graphic signs. However, for any set of graphic signs to be considered text, the following must be met defining characteristics of all text:

• A text must be consistent. All text has to revolve around a central idea, from which more related ideas are organized or extracted. It is what is known as coherence.
• A text must be cohesive. So that each and every one of the ideas presented in a text can be understood, it must have cohesion; that is, the information must be perfectly linked to each other, the paragraphs introduced by linguistic elements that facilitate the understanding of the message, etc. For this, cohesion mechanisms are used, which distribute the information throughout the text.
• A text must be adequate. The adequacy of the message is a fundamental aspect of the text. The language of the text depends on the recipient to whom it is addressed, since it is not appropriate to use a cultured language, full of technicalities and complex syntactic structures, when we are talking informally with our friends in a coffee shop. Similarly, an email written to our boss in an informal tone, with vulgar words and colloquial expressions, typical of the spoken language, would not be appropriate. Adequacy is the ability to use the correct linguistic mechanisms depending on the textual typology and who the receiver is.

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Now that we know what the structure of a text is, we are going to analyze the different types of textual structure that exist depending on the type of text that we find. And it is not the same to write a narrative text than to write one that is expository: neither the structure nor the characteristics will be the same.

Next, we will talk about the different types of texts that exist so that you can better understand the structure:

• Narrative text: these texts tell stories, facts or events and can be both fictional and real. The structure in these cases is usually characterized by presenting dynamic verbs and by connecting the narrative with spatial connectors.
• Descriptive text: this type of text is made when you want to describe or define something specific. It can be both an element that is part of the material world or, it can also want to describe feelings, emotions, ideas, and so on. The structure of text of this type is usually focused on relating the attributes of what is being described and, normally, forms of the 3rd person pronoun are used.
• Expositive text: it is used when you want to talk about a topic objectively, subjective observations or personal but it is a type of text that tries to launch a statement that is supported by facts and figures. These texts are characterized by containing many explanations, definitions, etc. and they are the ones that abound in the textbooks that are used to learn a subject. The structure usually begins with an introduction, the development of the topic, the analysis, the data and the conclusion.
• Argumentative text: they are texts that start from a hypothesis and that you want to defend a specific position. For this, a very clear structure will be used in which reasons are exposed both for and against the issue raised. At the end, it will also have a collection of conclusions that will close the text in a concise way.
• Literary texts: they are texts that are included within literature and, therefore, are works of fiction (although there may be real and historical elements). They are characterized by using rhetorical figures as well as having a very expressive and emotional type of language. The structure can be very diverse but, in general, these texts have an approach to the story, the knot or the problem and the resolution of the conflict or outcome.

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We are going to analyze the structure of the most common and studied texts. To do this, we will start by analyzing what is the structure of an argumentative text:

1. Introduction. These texts should begin with an introduction where the topic to be discussed is explained and, from the beginning, the position of the author of the text should be made clear. Remember that argumentative texts are subjective and whose objective is to argue a position to convince the reader.
2. Thesis. Next, we go fully into the body of the text and begin to talk about the topic we want to talk about. The thesis must be brief, since it is the presentation of the topic, the introduction that justifies the state of the question and the position one has on it. Arguments can be listed here, but not developed because this will be done next.
3. Argumentation. It is time to begin to justify the point of view that the author has. You must make clear the arguments or reasons that make you take this attitude to the thesis that has been presented. The objective of this part of the structure is to offer the reader concrete data to convince him.
4. Conclusions. And the last of the parts is the one that concludes with the text. Here the conclusions that have been reached during the text are gathered and this should be summarized and brief. This final part helps to collect all the information that has been explained throughout the text and to clarify the determining aspects.

Another of the most abundant texts in the academic world are expository texts, that is, texts in which an idea or a specific topic is exposed. These texts are from informative and informative characterTherefore, they should not be subjective, but objective.

The structure of an expository text is the next:

• Introduction. The author of the text introduces his readers to the topic he wants to develop. It is a thematic summary of what is going to be discussed and it has to be concise and not too long.
• Developing. Next, it is time to develop the idea in a complete and orderly way. It is best to structure the information in the text well to achieve a simple and clear presentation. Examples and references can be used so that the reader fully understands the presentation.
• Conclution. And these texts also end with a conclusion, a final compendium in which the most important aspects are collected and with which the author wants his readers to stay.

The narrative text or literary text also has a structure that is very well detailed. Being fictional texts in which a story starring characters is told, these texts can have a very diverse and creative structure. We are facing a type of artistic text and, therefore, the structure is not as marked or predetermined as academic texts. However, there is a very consolidated structure that is as follows:

• Approach or Start. It is when the author begins to delve into the story. It places us in the place of the plot, introduces us to the protagonists and begins to build the narrative space that the reader will identify.
• Knot. It is the moment in which the main action of the plot occurs, the problem. The knot is characterized by putting the characters in a problem that breaks with the harmony and normality that has been presented during the approach.
• Outcome. It is the part of the literary text in which the conflict is resolved and normality is restored. In the outcome it is common for the characters to have undergone a change or evolution and that the knot has served as something in their lives.

This order can be altered and, for example, that the story begins with the end and continues to the beginning, or that the plot begins at the knot (in media res). They are creative licenses that an author can give himself with the structure of the literary text.

If you want to read more articles similar to Structure of a text, we recommend that you enter our category of Writing.

• Lajusticia, M. R. B. (2000). Textual structure, semantic macrostructure and formal superstructure of the news. Studies on the journalistic message, (6), 239.
• Parodi, G. (1992). Textual structure and reading strategies. Modern Languages, (19), 89-98.