  We investigate the presence of defect structures in generalized models
described by real scalar field in $(1,1)$ space-time dimensions. We work with
two distinct generalizations, one in the form of a product of functions of the
field and its derivative, and the other as a sum. We search for static
solutions and study the corresponding linear stability on general grounds. We
illustrate the results with several examples, where we find stable defect
structures of modified profile. In particular, we show how the new defect
solutions may give rise to evolutions not present in the standard scenario in
higher spatial dimensions.
