Most bible students quickly learn that observation is an essential part of Bible study. When you’re studying a text, don’t forget to watch for the structure. The details are important, but we want to place them back in the context and make sure we understand the main point those details contribute to.
Watch for these things when you’re making an analytical outline.
| Structure | Description | Example |
| Cause & Effect (often marked by connectives) | One event, concept or action that causes another. Key terms: therefore, so then as a result | Romans 8:1 Therefore |
| Climax | A progression of events or ideas that climb to a certain high point before resolution or descending | Nehemiah 8 turning point in the story |
| Repetition/Progression | A progression of words or ideas that lead to a conclusion | 2Peter 1:5-8 |
| Comparison | 2 or more elements that are alike or similar. Key Terms: like, as too, also, so also | Psalm 42 |
| Contrast | 2 or more elements that are unlike or dissimilar. Key Terms: but, yet) | Psalm 73 |
| Explanation or reason | The presentation of an idea or event followed or preceded by its interpretation | Mark 4:13-20 |
| Interchange | When the action, conversation or concept moves to another and then back again | Romans 1-4 – Paul argues that we are justified by faith alone |
| Introduction & Summary | Opening or concluding remarks on a subject or situation | Matthew 6:1 |
| Pivot or hinge | A sudden change in the direction or flow of the context; a minor climax | Acts 2 (Pentecost) |
| Proportion | Emphasis indicated by the amount of space the writer devotes to a subject | Genesis 37-50 Story of Joseph |
| Purpose | A declaration of the author’s purpose for writing | 1John 1:1-5 |
| Question & Answer | Using questions and answers to make a point or provoke a response | Mark 2:1-12 |
| Specific to general; general to specific | Progression of though from a single example to a general principle or vice versa | 1Peter 2:12-25 |
| Advice/warnings | Commands or directives | Exodus 20:12 |
| Reasons/results | An explanation for a command or a result of obedience to a command | Exodus 20:12 |
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