Macrostructure

Macrostructure is the global organization or large-scale framework of a system, object, or text, comprising the principal parts and their relationships, as distinct from microstructure, which concerns finer details and local features. In many disciplines, macrostructure defines how elements are arranged to achieve function or meaning and provides the overarching pattern that guides interpretation or implementation.

In linguistics and discourse studies, macrostructure refers to the overall organization of a text or discourse, such as its argumentative arc, narrative progression, or rhetorical plan. It includes high-level stages like introduction, development, and conclusion, and how sections relate to each other. In literature, examples include the classic plot structure of exposition, rising action, climax, and resolution.

In data and document design, the macrostructure of a document or dataset describes its main sections, data schemas, and flow of information, often captured in an outline or architecture diagram, with microstructure addressing sentences, data fields, or code-level details.

In computing and software engineering, macrostructure refers to system architecture and module organization, including components, interfaces, and data flows, as opposed to the implementation of individual algorithms.

In materials science and geology, macrostructure can describe visible-scale features, such as metal grains, foliation in rocks, or layering in composites, which influence mechanical properties.

Methods used to analyze macrostructure typically involve outline analyses, schematic diagrams, or discourse- and design-based mapping to understand the global arrangement and its implications for use or behavior.