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Structure can refer to the order of words and ideas within:

• a sentence
• a paragraph
• an extract
• a whole text

Think about the effect the structure creates; remember to focus on how the reader responds to the structure of the text. Consider how the writer is using structure to manipulate the reader’s response.

Questions to consider:

• Where does this extract fit into the longer text – is it an opening or ending?
• Why are the paragraphs ordered in the way they are?
• How does the focus of each paragraph change?
• Is it important for the reader to know certain bits of information before they get to the next part of the text?
• Are there any links between the beginning and the end of the text?
• Are there any repeated images?
• Is there a significant change in an attitude, character or setting?
• Is there a change of perspective?

Some structural devices within prose fiction

Repetition – of words, phrases or whole sentences.

Connectives – eg meanwhile, finally, although. These could be used to shift the reader’s focus.

Sentence types – eg multi-clause or single clause. For example, a multi-clause sentence could be used to build up layers of description to create a vivid setting.

Sentence length – eg short to show tension.

Paragraph length – eg single line paragraphs to focus the reader.

Change of tense – eg from present to past.

Narrative structure

Fictional narratives may also follow an overall structure, which may fit broadly into typical stages.

Exposition – the setting of the scene for the reader, this could be a description of setting or the backstory of a character.

Crisis point or climax – an exciting or tense part of the text.

Resolution – the conclusion of the narrative, where conflicts are resolved or meaning is revealed.

In a short extract, only one or two of these of these stages might be evident. For example, if the extract is from the opening of a short story there may only be an exposition stage.

These stages are not always in this order; a writer may choose to begin with a climax or crisis point.

Example

This extract is taken from the end of a short story called The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe. In this section the narrator is convinced he can hear the beating heart of his murdered victim under the floor boards.

How has the writer structured this text to increase the sense of tension?

No doubt I now grew very pale; but I talked more fluently, and with a heightened voice. Yet the sound increased -- and what could I do? It was a low, dull, quick sound -- much such a sound as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton. I gasped for breath -- and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly -- more vehemently; but the noise steadily increased. I arose and argued about trifles, in a high key and with violent gesticulations; but the noise steadily increased. Why would they not be gone? I paced the floor to and fro with heavy strides, as if excited to fury by the observations of the men -- but the noise steadily increased. Oh God! what could I do? I foamed -- I raved -- I swore! I swung the chair upon which I had been sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise arose over all and continually increased. It grew louder -- louder -- louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard not? Almighty God! -- no, no! They heard! -- they suspected! -- they knew! -- they were making a mockery of my horror! -- this I thought, and this I think. But anything was better than this agony! Anything was more tolerable than this derision! I could bear those hypocritical smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! and now -- again! -- hark! louder! louder! louder! louder!

"Villains!" I shrieked, "dissemble no more! I admit the deed! -- tear up the planks! here, here! -- It is the beating of his hideous heart!"

The Tell Tale Heart, Edgar Allan Poe

Analysis

• The structure of the text allows the reader to share the narrator’s increased agitation.
• In the first long paragraph the writer builds the tension, as the narrator’s emotions become more extreme.
• The whole first paragraph has the structure of a fragmented thought process to show the narrator’s disturbed mind. The multi-clause sentences further enhance the impression of this frantic mind. The frequent use of dashes also adds to the feeling of broken and jumping thoughts, “I gasped for breath -- and yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly -- more vehemently…”
• The calm, simple sentence “And still the men chatted pleasantly and smiled…” shows the reader that this frantic energy is confined to the mind of the narrator.
• This is linked to later in the paragraph the narrator mentions their “…hypocritical smiles…”, further emphasising the paranoia of the character.
• The repetition of the personal pronouns ‘I’ and ‘they’ at the start of sentences shows the narrator’s focus and intensity.
• The writer uses punctuation to structure the narrator’s changing emotional state, at first question marks are used frequently, “What could I do?” is repeated to show his desperation.
• The abundance of exclamation marks later in the paragraph show his extreme emotion, as he loses the little control he had - “no, no! They heard! -- they suspected! --they knew! --they were making a mockery of my horror!”
• The dramatic repetition of “…louder! louder! louder! louder!...” gives a manic impression of the narrative voice and increases the tension for the reader.
• The resolution in the text is reached in the final paragraph, when the narrator manically confesses his crime, “I admit the deed!”
• The use of dialogue here breaks the tension of the narrator’s thoughts and leads to a final climax of emotion.
• The alliterative “…hideous heart.” makes a gruesome, dramatic final impression on the reader.