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Understanding Text Structure and Purpose for the SAT® Reading and Writing Test
Text structure and the author’s purpose are two key concepts in the SAT® Reading and Writing Test. When students recognize how a text is organized and why the author wrote it, they can understand the passage more clearly. This article provides a simple breakdown of text structure and purpose to help learners master these important reading skills.
Introduction
The SAT® Reading and Writing Test challenges students to analyze various passages. However, many test takers struggle when they cannot grasp how a passage is organized or what the writer intends to achieve. Therefore, learning to identify text structure and the author’s purpose is crucial.
These skills help students:
- Improve comprehension
- Answer questions accurately
- Develop stronger analysis and reasoning abilities
By studying text structure and purpose, students gain the tools to tackle both literary and informational passages more effectively.
What Is Text Structure?
Text structure refers to the way a text is organized. Authors often choose a structure based on their purpose and the information they want to present. Recognizing different structures helps students see how each idea connects.
Common text structures include:
- Chronological: Events ordered by time
- Compare and contrast: Examines similarities and differences
- Cause and effect: Shows why something happens and what follows
- Problem and solution: Identifies an issue and proposes fixes
- Descriptive: Gives detailed information about a topic
Each structure has unique signposts or signals. For instance, a chronological passage might use dates and transitional phrases like “first” or “later.” A compare and contrast passage often uses words such as “similarly” and “on the other hand.”
Why Is Text Structure Important?
Text structure supports comprehension, analysis, and synthesis, which include the ability to combine ideas and draw logical conclusions. By identifying how a passage is built, students can see the author’s reasoning more easily.
Understanding structure also reveals the author’s purpose. For example, a problem-and-solution passage may suggest the author wants to inform readers of an issue or persuade them to accept a certain fix. Therefore, recognizing the organization of a passage offers clues about the writer’s intentions.
Moreover, this knowledge:
- Improves reading efficiency
- Helps spot patterns that guide understanding
- Links the text’s setup to the author’s purpose
Analyzing Text Structure: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Read the Passage Actively
While reading, focus on key words and phrases. Active reading includes:
- Underlining or highlighting main ideas
- Noting repeated concepts
- Looking for transitions (e.g., “however,” “therefore,” “in addition”)
Step 2: Identify Key Phrases Indicating Structure
Check for words or phrases that signal comparison (“similarly”), time order (“before,” “after”), or cause and effect (“because,” “as a result”). These clues often reveal how the writer has organized the passage.
Step 3: Determine the Structure Used
Connect the transitional words and overall flow of ideas to pick the correct structure. The structure might be clear from the first or second paragraph, or it may become evident after identifying multiple clues.
Example: Analyzing a Compare and Contrast Passage
Passage Topic: Advantages and disadvantages of electric cars versus gasoline cars
- Identify the main points about electric cars (cost, efficiency, environmental impact).
- Identify the main points about gasoline cars (range, fuel availability, performance).
- Compare similarities and differences (both are vehicles; however, each has different fuel needs).
- Determine the author’s purpose: It may be to inform readers of the pros and cons or to persuade them to choose a more efficient option.
Step-by-step, this approach leads to a clear understanding of how the writer contrasts two subjects and why.
Author’s Purpose Explained
The author’s purpose is the reason the writer created the text. It is closely related to text structure and is often summarized in three main categories:
- To inform: Provide facts or teach readers about a topic
- To persuade: Convince readers to agree with a viewpoint
- To entertain: Engage readers through storytelling or share an enjoyable experience
Sometimes, a text can have a mixed purpose, but usually, one goal stands out. By pinpointing the author’s purpose, students can interpret tone, style, and word choice more accurately. For instance, a descriptive story with plenty of emotional words might aim to entertain, while a persuasive science article with many logical arguments likely aims to convince or inform.
Examples of Text Structure and Purpose
Example 1: Chronological Structure in a Historical Passage
Imagine a short text describing the events leading to the start of the American Revolution. It might begin with the Stamp Act, then move on to the Boston Tea Party, and finally mention the war’s first battles.
- Structure: Chronological
- Purpose: To inform readers of the order of historical events
Step-by-Step Solution to Identify Structure and Purpose:
- Look for time references (e.g., “in 1765,” “the following year”).
- Notice if the events follow a sequence.
- Understand that the author’s main reason is to present a timeline for clarity.
Example 2: Cause and Effect in a Scientific Explanation
Consider a passage discussing global warming. It may outline how greenhouse gases trap heat, leading to rising global temperatures. The result might be melting ice caps or extreme weather changes.
- Structure: Cause and Effect
- Purpose: To inform readers of why a phenomenon happens and what consequences follow
Step-by-Step Solution to Identify Structure and Purpose:
- Spot words like “because,” “leads to,” and “results in.”
- Notice the explanation of what causes an event and the outcome.
- Conclude the author’s goal: to inform readers about the causes and effects of global warming.
Practice Questions: Assessing Your Understanding
Below are sample questions to test recognition of text structure and the author’s purpose.
Practice Question 1
“Experts warn that social media can lead to decreased face-to-face interactions. As a result, many teenagers struggle to develop strong in-person communication skills. Nonetheless, others argue that online platforms allow for quick information sharing. They point out that social media can help people maintain friendships over long distances.”
Question: What type of text structure is used in this passage?
Step-by-Step Solution:
- Identify transitions such as “as a result” (cause and effect) and “nonetheless” (compare/contrast shift).
- Notice that the text first explains social media’s negative effect, but it also contrasts this view with an opposing benefit.
- The dominant structure is compare and contrast, because the passage shows two perspectives.
Answer: Compare and contrast.
Practice Question 2
“In this article, the writer provides facts about renewable energy sources. The text includes statistics on solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, highlights the efficiency of each option, and offers details on how they can be implemented nationwide.”
Question: What is the main purpose of the author in this text?
Step-by-Step Solution:
- Identify that the passage is giving factual information and data.
- Notice there is little attempt to persuade or entertain. It focuses on educating readers about the efficiency and possibilities of renewable energy.
- Conclude that the author’s primary purpose is to inform.
Answer: To inform.
Quick Reference Chart: Vocabulary and Definitions
| Vocabulary | Definition |
| Text Structure | The way a text is organized, including its format and pattern |
| Author’s Purpose | The reason the author wrote the text (e.g., to inform, persuade, entertain) |
| Chronological | A text structure that presents events in the order they occurred |
| Compare and Contrast | A structure that highlights similarities and differences between two topics |
| Cause and Effect | A structure that explains why something happened and the resulting effects |
| Problem and Solution | A structure that presents a problem and offers one or more solutions |
| Descriptive | A structure focused on providing detailed information about a topic |
Conclusion
Recognizing text structure and the author’s purpose gives students a powerful advantage on the SAT® Reading and Writing Test. These skills also enhance everyday reading, from newspaper articles to scientific reports. By practicing active reading and regularly identifying structure and purpose, test takers can improve comprehension, analysis, and reasoning.
Students looking to master these concepts should continue exploring practice passages, noting transitions, and asking themselves why the author chose that specific structure. Over time, these habits will create a natural, confident approach to understanding any text.
Additional Resources
- College Board’s SAT® Practice Tests: Provides official passage examples for further skill building.
- Online Reading Comprehension Sites: Offer free exercises focusing on text structure and purpose.
- Local or School Libraries: Contain practice guides and study aids that highlight text structure analysis.
- Educational Apps: Some include interactive quizzes on text organization, author’s purpose, and related reading skills.
Developing a clear grasp of text structure and purpose brings long-term benefits. It not only prepares students for the SAT® but also improves overall reading and writing abilities.
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