Internal Text Structure:
* Focuses on the organization *within* a single paragraph or section.
* Examples:
* Chronological order: Events are presented in the order they happened.
* Cause and effect: Shows how events lead to consequences.
* Compare and contrast: Examines similarities and differences between two or more things.
* Problem and solution: Presents a problem and then offers a solution.
* Description: Uses vivid language to create a picture in the reader's mind.
* The goal is to help the reader understand and follow the ideas presented.
External Text Structure:
* Focuses on the organization of the entire text.
* Examples:
* Narrative: Tells a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
* Expository: Explains or informs about a topic.
* Persuasive: Attempts to convince the reader of a particular viewpoint.
* Descriptive: Creates a detailed picture of a person, place, or thing.
* The goal is to give the text a clear and logical flow, making it easier for readers to follow the main points.
Here's an analogy:
Imagine a house. The internal text structure is like the layout of each room (e.g., the kitchen has a stove, sink, and fridge). The external text structure is like the overall design of the house (e.g., a two-story house with a living room on the first floor and bedrooms on the second).
Understanding both internal and external text structure helps readers to analyze and interpret a text effectively.