What is text structure, and why is it important?

Text structure refers to the way information is organized within a text. Understanding text structure is crucial because it significantly influences comprehension. When students recognize how a text is organized—whether through chronological order, cause and effect, compare and contrast, or problem and solution—they can better predict what information to expect, make connections, and synthesize information as they read. This awareness also helps students navigate complex content more effectively, allowing them to locate key ideas, understand relationships between concepts, and engage more deeply with the material.

By grasping the various text structures, students can approach reading more strategically, enhancing their overall understanding and retention of the material. This structured approach to comprehension is key to improving literacy skills and is particularly important across different subjects and genres.