Praxis Reading
Praxis Reading is a foundational subject that prepares future educators to master reading comprehension, analysis, and practical application for the Praxis teacher certification exam.
Analyzing Text Structure
Exploring How Texts Are Built
Every text has a structure—an underlying framework that organizes information. Recognizing text structure enhances comprehension and retention.
Common Text Structures
- Cause and Effect: Shows relationships between events.
- Compare and Contrast: Highlights similarities and differences.
- Problem and Solution: Presents an issue and possible answers.
- Sequence: Lists items or events in order.
Identifying Structure
Pay attention to signal words like "because," "however," "first," "finally," and "as a result." These clues help you map the organization of a passage.
Why Structure Matters
Understanding structure helps readers anticipate what comes next and grasp the author's purpose, making it easier to teach students how to break down complex readings.
Everyday Use
Teachers often guide students to outline essays or stories, helping them see the "skeleton" of the text.
Examples
A teacher uses a graphic organizer to show the compare and contrast structure in a nonfiction article.
A student identifies the sequence of events in a science experiment write-up.
In a Nutshell
Analyzing text structure helps readers understand how information is organized, making passages easier to comprehend and teach.