Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ADVANCED LEVEL
Text organization refers to how a text is organized to help readers follow and
understand the information presented. There are a number of standard forms
that help text organization when writing. This text organization tips will help you
logically guide your readers through your text.
Text Organization
Pronouns and determiners are used to refer to ideas, points or opinions that you
have previously introduced, or will immediately introduce. Here is a quick review
of pronouns and determiners with examples.
Pronouns
Examples:
Determiners
Make sure that pronouns and determiners are clearly defined either before, or
immediately after their introduction in order to avoid confusion.
Examples:
The need for economic growth is vital to any society. Without it, societies
become defensive and ... ('it' refers to 'need for economic growth)
These are vital for any job: interest, skills, manners... ('these' refers to 'interest,
skills, manners')
In addition to X, ...
As well as X, ...
Examples:
also
as well as
Examples:
Our commitment to the cause, as well as our financial resources, will make this
possible.
Sentence Structure
The sentence structure 'Not only + clause, but also + clause' is also used to
provide additional information and emphasize the later point in your argument:
Examples:
Not only does he bring experience and expertise to the company, but he also
has an outstanding reputation.
Not only are the students improving scores, but they are also having more fun.
NOTE: Remember that sentences beginning with 'Not only ...' use inverted
structure (Not only do they do...)
It's common to use phrases to signify the fact that you will be making different
points in your text. The simplest way to indicate that you will be touching on a
number of different points is to use sequencers. The appearance of sequencers
indicates that there are points to follow or that precede your sentence. For more
information on sequencers, continue on to the section on sequencing your ideas
for text organization.
There are also some set phrases that point to the fact that there are a number
of points to follow. Here are the most common:
Examples:
There are a number of ways we can approach this problem. First, ...
Let's begin with the assumption that all of our courses are necessary for our
students.
Other phrases are used to indicate that one phrase is related to another in an
additional sense. These phrases are common in text organization:
Examples:
Contrasting Information
Examples:
Whereas, While
'Whereas' and 'while' show clauses in direct opposition to each other. Notice
that you should always use a comma with 'whereas' and 'while'.
Examples:
Whereas you have lots of time to do your homework, I have very little time
indeed.
Mary is rich, while I am poor.
But, Yet
'But' and 'yet' provide contrary information that is often unexpected. Notice that
you should always use a comma with 'but' and 'yet'.
Examples:
He spends a lot of time on his computer, yet his grades are very high.
The research pointed to a specific cause, but the results painted a very different
picture.
Examples:
In order to help your audience understand, you need to link ideas together in
your text organization. One of the most important ways to link ideas is to
sequence them. Sequencing refers to the order in which events happened.
These are some of the most common ways to sequence in writing:
Beginning:
Firstly,
First of all,
To start off with,
Initially,
Examples:
Continuing:
Then,
After that,
Next,
As soon as / When + full clause,
... but then
Immediately,
Examples:
We were sure everything was ready, but then we discovered some unexpected
problems.
Immediately, I telephoned my friend Tom.
Suddenly,
Unexpectedly,
Examples:
Suddenly, a child burst into the room with a note for Ms. Smith.
Unexpectedly, the people in the room didn't agree with the mayor.
Examples:
While we were getting ready for the trip, Jennifer was making the reservations
at the travel agent's.
During the meeting, Jack came over and asked me a few questions.
Ending:
Finally,
In the end,
Eventually,
Lastly,
Examples: