The authors introduce three levels of text representation: surface level, textbase (macrostructure and microstructure), and the situation model. I have read other sources that stress the importance of text structure to reading comprehension, so I especially noted what the authors had to say about the "macrostructure- using the text's structure to aid undersanding."
Because narrative text structure is so concrete, they say that teachers spend too much time and focus too much on it. Students grasp narrative structure easily. Teachers are better off focusing more time on informational text structures, which are not as simple and intuitive, but will assist students' comprehension when they notice and understand them. For example, "if students notice the information is structured as a problem-solution, they will first identify the problem and then have their antennae raised to look for proposed solutions. If readers are aware they're reading a persuasive text, they'll be on the lookout for the argument and compelling evidence. If readers know they're reading a description, they'll be aware that they should gather information that identifies what's being described."
I like this way of describing text structure to students- that it helps them know what to read for in a text. I have never seen it explained that way before!
Because narrative text structure is so concrete, they say that teachers spend too much time and focus too much on it. Students grasp narrative structure easily. Teachers are better off focusing more time on informational text structures, which are not as simple and intuitive, but will assist students' comprehension when they notice and understand them. For example, "if students notice the information is structured as a problem-solution, they will first identify the problem and then have their antennae raised to look for proposed solutions. If readers are aware they're reading a persuasive text, they'll be on the lookout for the argument and compelling evidence. If readers know they're reading a description, they'll be aware that they should gather information that identifies what's being described."
I like this way of describing text structure to students- that it helps them know what to read for in a text. I have never seen it explained that way before!