Reading: Understanding Text Structure, Cohesion & Coherence
B2 Lesson 1: Analyzing Text Organization in Various Genres
Before You Read 🧠
Key Vocabulary (Click 🔊)
These words are essential for talking about text structure.
Why Does Structure Matter?
A good writer doesn't just throw ideas on a page. They build a "house" for their ideas. As a B2 reader, if you can recognize the *type* of house (the structure), you can predict where to find the "kitchen" (the solution) or the "bedroom" (the conclusion).
This skill allows you to read faster and understand an author's argument more deeply.
Common Organizational Patterns 🛠️
Different genres use different patterns. Here are three you must know.
Purpose: To tell a story, give instructions, or explain a historical event.
Signal Words (ពាក្យសញ្ញា):
- First, Next, Then, Finally
- Before / After
- In 2023... / On Monday...
Purpose: To show how two or more things are similar or different.
Signal Words (ពាក្យសញ្ញា):
- However / On the other hand
- Similarly / Likewise
- Both... / While...
Purpose: To identify an issue and then propose one or more ways to fix it.
Signal Words (ពាក្យសញ្ញា):
- The problem is... / One issue is...
- One solution is... / To solve this...
- As a result / Consequently
Analyzing a Real Example
Read the short passage below. Look for signal words and try to identify the main pattern *before* you read the analysis.
Tuk-tuks vs. Ride-Hailing Apps in Cambodia
In Phnom Penh today, residents have two main options for short-distance travel: the traditional tuk-tuk and modern ride-hailing apps like Grab or PassApp. Both can get you where you need to go, but they offer very different experiences.
Traditional tuk-tuks, on one hand, offer a more open-air, cultural experience, and the price can sometimes be negotiated. However, this negotiation can be a source of stress, and there is no air conditioning.
In contrast, ride-hailing apps provide a fixed price upfront, which removes the need to bargain. The cars are often cleaner and have air conditioning. Similarly, they offer better safety features, like GPS tracking. On the other hand, you lose the traditional, breezy feeling of a classic tuk-tuk ride.
Analysis:
Did you see the pattern? The text is clearly organized as Compare & Contrast.
The author uses signal words like "on one hand," "however," "in contrast," and "similarly" to guide the reader and show the differences and similarities between the two options.
Practice Quiz: Identify the Structure 🎯
Read the short passages and identify the primary organizational pattern. Click "Check Answers" when done.
1. "To make great coffee, you must follow several steps. First, grind the beans. Next, boil the water to 90°C. Then, slowly pour the water over the grounds. Finally, let it sit for four minutes before pressing."
What is the pattern?
2. "Traffic in the capital has become a critical issue. Commute times have doubled, leading to lost productivity. To solve this, the city must invest in a dedicated bus lane system. This solution would reduce the number of cars and make public transport faster."
What is the pattern?
3. "Many people confuse solar and wind power. Both are excellent renewable energy sources. However, solar is most effective during the day, while wind turbines can generate power 24/7. Solar panels are silent, whereas wind turbines can be noisy."
What is the pattern?
Key Vocabulary Reference (Click 🔊)
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Text Structure
The way an author organizes information in a text.
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Genre
A type of text (e.g., news report, story, review).
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Cohesion
How the parts of a text "stick together" logically.
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Signal Words
Words that show the text's structure (e.g., "first," "however," "as a result").
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Chronological
Arranged in order of time.
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Contrast
To show how things are different.
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Negotiate / Bargain
To discuss price to reach an agreement.
Your Reading Mission ⭐
Become a Pattern Detective
This week, your mission is to find text patterns in the real world.
- Find one English-language article (a news report, a product review, or an opinion editorial).
- Read the article and identify its main organizational pattern: Is it Chronological, Compare & Contrast, or Problem & Solution?
- Write down 3-4 signal words from the article that helped you decide.
Example: "I read a review of a new phone. It was Compare & Contrast. It used words like 'unlike the old model,' 'however,' and 'both have'."