Analyzing Text Structure Worksheet

Analyzing Text Structure

Read each passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Pay close attention to how the author organizes information.

Passage 1: The Greenhouse Effect

The Earth's climate is changing at an unprecedented rate, primarily due to human activities. This phenomenon, often referred to as global warming, is largely a consequence of the enhanced greenhouse effect. Essentially, certain gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, trap heat radiated from the Earth's surface, preventing it from escaping into space. While a natural greenhouse effect is crucial for sustaining life on Earth by maintaining habitable temperatures, industrialization and the burning of fossil fuels have drastically increased the concentration of these gases. This surplus of greenhouse gases leads to more heat being trapped, resulting in a gradual but significant rise in global average temperatures. The consequences include melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events. Therefore, understanding the causes and effects of the enhanced greenhouse effect is vital for addressing climate change.

1. What is the primary text structure used in Passage 1?

2. Identify three signal words or phrases from Passage 1 that helped you determine its text structure.

Passage 2: Romanticism vs. Realism

Two prominent literary movements of the 19th century, Romanticism and Realism, presented starkly contrasting views on art and life. Romanticism, flourishing in the early to mid-1800s, emphasized emotion, individualism, the glorification of nature, and the supernatural. Authors like Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley explored themes of intense passion, the sublime, and the exotic. In contrast, Realism emerged later in the century, reacting against the perceived excesses of Romanticism. Realist writers, such as Mark Twain and Gustave Flaubert, focused on depicting life as it truly was, often highlighting the struggles of the working class, social issues, and psychological complexities. Their narratives were characterized by meticulous detail, objective observation, and a rejection of idealized portrayals. While Romanticism celebrated the extraordinary, Realism grounded itself in the ordinary.

3. Passage 2 primarily uses a 'sequence' text structure.

4. The text structure of Passage 2 is  , as indicated by words like   and  .

Match the text structure on the left with its common purpose on the right.

8. Choose one of the passages above. Explain how the author's choice of text structure enhances the reader's understanding of the topic and contributes to the author's overall purpose.