What+is+understanding+the+structure+of+the+text?

The **text structure** is the organization or framework of the text and the **//text features//** are the elements of the writing that accompany each text type, such as the language (tense, vocabulary, participants, signal words for time and order) and the type of supports, such as the artwork (illustrations, photographs, diagrams, graphs) and aids to organization or language (contents, index, headings, glossary, references). This module provides suggestions for ways to study the factual text type — reports, recounts, explanations, procedures, and persuasion, and the fictional text types—realistic fiction, historical fiction, and fantasy/science fiction, with a focus on mysteries. Strategies for Deeper Comprehension ** Studying text structures and features of the reading in which your students are engaged takes them ‘back stage’ and into the architecture, or bones of texts. They are able to see how texts are crafted by deconstructing them with your support. Some evidence suggests that students who attend to the structure of texts learn more about the content even while attending to the structure. They are able to identify the features of each text type and therefore predict how to read more effectively (Duke & Pearson 2002: p.217). Why It’s Important **
 * You will find, as you explicitly teach your students about text structures and features, that your students become reading detectives, keen to tell you what they have noticed about the architecture of the text.
 * Their metacognitive language about text structures and features gives them more control of the piece they are reading and, maybe, eventually writing.
 * Their comprehension broadens, allowing them to analyse and synthesize what the author is writing.
 * They become more critical readers.
 * They will learn that different types of texts have different purposes. Some will inform, persuade and report, while others will entertain and give you an appreciation of literature.
 * You can teach your students to read and comprehend fiction and factual text more deeply by studying text structures and features, highlighting through metacognitive thinking aloud your integration of the content, and the structures around the content.
 * The process of sifting information from a text is made easier if your readers have a mindset about the type of text they are reading. It’s part of cracking the code as a reader, leading to better comprehension.


 * Reference: Di Snowball - Reading Comprehension Strategies Years 5-8 **