Text Analysis
Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to analyze different types of texts to create accurate summaries. Text Analysis involves examining how a text is organized and identifying the author's purpose.
Types of Text Structures
Understanding how a text is organized helps you summarize it more effectively:
- Sequence/Chronological: Events are told in order (first, then, finally)
- Cause and Effect: Explains why something happened and what resulted
- Compare and Contrast: Shows how things are alike and different
- Problem and Solution: Presents a problem and how it was solved
- Description: Gives details about a topic
Analyzing Author's Purpose
Authors write for different reasons. Knowing the purpose helps you focus your summary:
- To Inform: Gives facts and information (summarize the key facts)
- To Persuade: Tries to convince the reader (summarize the main argument)
- To Entertain: Tells a story (summarize the plot and theme)
Signal Words
Look for these words to identify text structure:
- Sequence: first, next, then, finally, after, before
- Cause/Effect: because, therefore, as a result, so, since
- Compare/Contrast: however, but, similarly, unlike, both
- Problem/Solution: problem, issue, solution, solved, fixed
Examples
Example 1: Cause and Effect Text
Because the weather became extremely dry, many farmers lost their crops. As a result, food prices increased at grocery stores. Since families had to pay more for food, they had less money for other things. Therefore, many businesses in farming communities struggled.
Analysis: This text uses cause and effect structure (signal words: because, as a result, since, therefore). The author's purpose is to inform.
Summary: "Dry weather caused crop failures, which led to higher food prices and economic problems for farming communities."
Example 2: Compare and Contrast Text
Frogs and toads are both amphibians that start life in water. However, they have several differences. Frogs have smooth, moist skin, while toads have rough, bumpy skin. Frogs are usually found near water, but toads can live in drier areas. Unlike frogs, which have long legs for jumping, toads have shorter legs and tend to walk.
Analysis: This text uses compare and contrast structure (signal words: both, however, while, but, unlike). The author's purpose is to inform.
Summary: "Frogs and toads are both amphibians, but they differ in skin texture, habitat preferences, and leg length."
Practice
Read the following passage, identify the text structure, and write a summary.
Many cities have a problem with too much trash going to landfills. To solve this issue, recycling programs were created. First, cities provided special bins for recyclable materials. Then, trucks collected the recyclables and took them to processing centers. Finally, the materials were turned into new products. As a result of these programs, less trash ends up in landfills.
Answer these questions:
- What is the text structure? (Look for signal words)
- What is the author's purpose?
- What is the main idea?
- Write a 1-2 sentence summary.
Check Your Understanding
Answer these 10 questions to test your text analysis skills.
1. What are the five main text structures?
Show Answer
Answer: Sequence/Chronological, Cause and Effect, Compare and Contrast, Problem and Solution, and Description.
2. What signal words indicate a cause and effect structure?
Show Answer
Answer: Because, therefore, as a result, so, since.
3. If a text includes words like "however," "but," and "unlike," what structure is it likely using?
Show Answer
Answer: Compare and Contrast structure.
4. What are the three main purposes for writing?
Show Answer
Answer: To inform, to persuade, and to entertain.
5. When summarizing a persuasive text, what should you focus on?
Show Answer
Answer: The author's main argument and key points they use to convince the reader.
6. What signal words indicate a sequence or chronological structure?
Show Answer
Answer: First, next, then, finally, after, before.
7. How does knowing the text structure help you write a better summary?
Show Answer
Answer: Knowing the text structure helps you understand how the information is organized, which makes it easier to identify the main idea and key details to include in your summary.
8. What text structure presents a difficulty and explains how it was resolved?
Show Answer
Answer: Problem and Solution structure.
9. In the frog and toad example, what was the author's purpose?
Show Answer
Answer: To inform readers about the similarities and differences between frogs and toads.
10. What should you include when summarizing a text with a problem and solution structure?
Show Answer
Answer: You should include what the problem was and how it was solved.
Next Steps
- Review any concepts that felt challenging
- Practice identifying text structures in books you read
- Move on to the next lesson when ready
- Return to practice problems periodically for review