Name: _______________________________ Block: _____________ Date: ___________________

Introduction to External Text Structures

The way the article has been arranged and printed outside of the actual text/writing.

Knowing about external text structure helps you to understand what you are reading.

It makes reading non-fiction EASY!

Why Do We Use External Text Structures?

1. Clarify Material

2. Give extra Information

3. Show detail

4. Emphasize Important Information

5. Make Information easier to Understand

Types of External Text Structures1. Italics

2. Bold

3. Sidebar

4. Heading

5. Subheading

6. Photographs

7. Captions

8. Graphics

Type of External Text Structure

DefinitionExample

Italics

Italics are slanted font and used to make a word stand out. It shows a word is different in some way.

italics

BoldBold words inform the reader of important key words/vocabulary.

bold

SidebarSidebars are boxes that give extra information about a related topic.

HeadingUsually at the top of the page and explains the central topic or theme. (Title)

Subheading

1. Used to clarify the heading. (subtitle)

2. Used to divide the text into sections.

PhotographA real - life picture representing information from the text.

CaptionThe writing under a photograph that tells you the details of the picture.

GraphicsA graphic is a visual representation of information from the text.

graphic

photograph

caption

subheadings

heading

sidebar