Definition
 The
term 'structure' refers to the basic construction or the arrangement
of parts in a communication – spoken or written.
Examples
The
events of a novel or a play may be arranged in a linear, chronological
order to reflect the passing of time. They might on the other hand
be arranged so that the end reflects the beginning, presenting
a cyclic structure.
The
structure of the English language is its grammar system
with discernable patterns such as that of word-order and
rules for forming tenses.
The
structure of a conversation might be fairly random or planned,
depending on the level of formality and the purpose of the discourse.
An
interview might follow the chronology of a candidate's curriculum
vitae, or it might be structured by a series of questions.
The
structure of a business document might be determined by the route
taken by information as it passes through an organisation. On the
other hand, it might reflect the stages of a manufacturing process.
The
structure of a poem can often be seen in its rhyme scheme and the
arrangement of its verses.
Use
People
structure the content of their speech spontaneously,
without any need for deliberate planning.
The
same is not true for writing,
where conscious effort is required.
An
awareness of the concept of structure in language use is essential
to the speaker or the writer, the listener or the reader.
Structure
can be based on such elements as chronology, alphabetical order,
recurring themes, logical sequence of content, and visual layout.
The
structure of a text or of a spoken item is its foundation. Structure
when applied to the English language as a system is its grammar.
It
might be useful to distinguish structure from form in
terms of linguistic analysis. The term 'form' refers to the finished
article as a recognisable artifact such as a novel, report, letter,
recipe, sermon, statement, or greeting.
A
letter, for example, has a structure based on the patterning of
both its content and its layout. The content is structured according
to the convention of giving information in the following order:
- sender's address
- date of writing
- vocative opening ('Dear Sir')
- content in order of importance
- conventional salutation ('Best wishes')
- signature of writer
The
structure of the content is complemented by the layout in a conventional
letter. The content is organised on the page in a well known pattern.
Even
if a person were twelve feet away from the text it would be recognisable
as a letter form – because of the structure of the layout.
In
any text, the content must be organised
according to some logical premise. Information which is not consciously
structured is disjointed, haphazard, and therefore usually incomprehensible.
Efficient communication in speech and writing depends to a great
extent on the existence of structure. |
