Writing is an art and a science: while you may enjoy the thrill of just typing away under creative inspiration, you still need a broad plan in place so that you don’t just ramble on with no clear direction!
Knowing what information you want to include and the way and order you want to present them refer to the structure of your text or document. You can usually tell when something is well structured by the logical flow of the text. You get a sense of where a piece is going, and it fulfills its promises by taking you there.
Why use a writing structure?
When engineers constuct a building, they work around a basic framework, the structure, so to speak. As a writer, you can also leverage on the use of a structure. Think of it as being like the skeleton in the human body: it’s not everything, but it holds the pieces together in one coherent whole.
Let’s take a look at the world’s most famous grade school essay topic: What I Did Last Summer. Do you remember your teacher telling you to start with an introduction, then write at least three paragraphs for the body, and end with a concluding paragraph? From that very basic 5-paragraph model, we have our first writing structure.
In this post, we hope to share a few more examples of writing structure formats that you can use in your essay or article writing.
What makes a good structure in writing?
A good writing structure fulfills the following functions:
- Creates clarity of ideas
- Encourages coherence from one paragraph to the next
- May include a logical progression of ideas
6 Most Common Writing Structure Options and Examples
Take a look at some of the most common writing structure options you can use:
1. Categorical Structure
When writing according to category, you focus on different main topics, i.e. categories, which you discuss in different paragraphs in your work. A good example of a document using the categorical structure is the cover letter that you write for a job application: you lump together all your similar experiences into the same pararaph, hoping the pitch will get you the position you want.
For example:
Dear Mr. Howard:
I would like to apply for the position of Head Research Analyst in Examonitor Inc.
For the past three years, I have been the lead researcher with XYZ Company, handling market research for fast-moving consumer goods. My responsibilities included overseeing a team of at least four market researchers at any one time, as we conduct consumer surveys, store checks, data analysis, and crafting the final report. I have also been able to train newly-acquired researchers in the field, starting from data collection all the way to report-writing.
As part of my supervisory position, I have also acquired ample experience in handling interpersonal communications and conflict resolution within my team and with other teams. I believe these skills are necessary for a successful team research effort.
I hope this information will convince you that I’m not only qualified but will also be a great addition to your team.
2. Evaluative Structure
When you write using the evaluative structure, you think in terms of how you can evaluate a particular topic. The most common way is to weight the pros and cons, or the benefits and challenges, of the given theme.
This is a good structure to use for writing reviews, such as for products, services, books, or movies, among others. Informally, you can also use this when asking for advice from close friends, or even giving them yourself.
An example title using this structure would be: The Pros and Cons of Letting Kids Use Gadgets.
3. Comparative Structure
Instead of evaluating a lone object, the comparative structure takes at least two similar objects and makes comparisons between them. It can include the pros and cons of each, which makes it a double version of the evaluative structure. Or it can be a direct comparison only of which features are better among the two (or more) options.
This works best for debate team speeches, or when making a comparative product review. For example, you might write an article on Why Hard Copy Books are Still Better Than E-Readers.
Or check out our article on Epub vs Mobi vs PDF: Which is the Best?
4. Chronological Structure
This is a good option for storytelling or when you’re narrating events that actually happened. A news article covering a tragic event might use this structure:
A plane flying from Singapore to Thailand has lost contact with air traffic control at about 9PM local time Tuesday.
According to Ellis Bernardo, secretary of the Public Affairs Bureau, the coast guard, with the National Red Cross, conducted search and rescue operations beginning at 4AM local time Wednesday.
At 4:30AM, two survivors were located and rescued from the South China Sea, some 16 kilometers from Phuket. At 4:49AM, the remains of the aircraft have also been recovered about 17 kilometers from Phuket.
5. Sequential Structure
In this structure, we include step-by-step instructions that readers can follow to achieve a certain goal. Popular writing pieces that use this structure are recipes, directions on how to get somewhere, and instructions on how to do certain handicraft.
For example:
How to Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients:
1 bar butter
3/4 cup white sugar, 3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chipsStep 1. Preheat oven to 375 Fahrenheit.
Step 2. Cream the butter and sugar.
Step 3. Add the vanilla, eggs, and flour.
Step 4. Mix in the chocolate chips.
Step 5. Scoop onto a paper-lined baking sheet.
Step 6. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Step 7. Remove from oven and transfer to cooling rack. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.
6. Causal Structure
In this kind of writing structure, you focus on the cause and effect patterns in your given topic. This means you can have your paragraphs progress from one to another.
This is a good choice to use when writing about issues, such as global warming, deforestation, human trafficking, or childhood trauma. You can detail how one thing leads to another, and cover each major theme in one paragraph.
But it’s not limited to serious topics; you might also use this structure in writing a letter of resignation from a job, or an excuse letter for a child needing to skip a school day.
Using Different Writing Structures
Knowing these different writing structures gives you an arsenal of tools to pick from no matter what kind of topic you’re writing about. Through this, you might find that you’re able to write about just about anything!
We encourage you to keep developing your writing skill by learning more about literary devices and techniques in good writing. Check out some of our related posts!
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- How to Write an Artist Statement: 7 Tips for Success
- How to Write a Successful Episodic Plot
- Think Pieces: What They Are and How to Write One
- How to Write a Cookbook: 8 Steps for Immortalizing Your Favorite Recipes
Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
