Textured YBa2Cu3O72x samples have been studied by electronic paramagnetic resonance. EPR spectroscopy allows us to analyze the Y2BaCuO5 second phase present as inclusions in the YBa2Cu3O6 textured matrix. All samples were deoxygenated in order to limit the skin effect due to conductivity. This is applied to samples textured according to different techniques. Preferential orientation of these particles according to the 123 matrix can be observed. For instance, if texturing under a magnetic field, the particular Y2BaCuO5 orientation is observed of the b211 axis ~b57.132 A! parallel to c123 and to the magnetic field direction. By appropriate calculations from initial spectra, the fraction of preferred orientation of these Y2BaCuO5 grains can be quantified. This orientation comprises 1662 % of the Y2BaCuO5 weight for texturing under a magnetic field, presently one of the highest values obtained. It involves the longest size of Y2BaCuO5 elongated grains lying in YBa2Cu3O6 planes, facilitating the texturation process. Texturing on Y2O3 by the modified melt textured growth method leads to a preferential orientation of Y2BaCuO5 grains too, but in another direction, i.e., b211 perpendicular to c123 . There is no Y2BaCuO5 preferential orientation if texturing with a thermal gradient or on a monocrystalline MgO substrate. This type of analysis can be applied easily to other systems ~nanocomposites, dispersoids, etc.!, providing that the signal of the secondary phase can be clearly separated from the signal of the primary one. @S0163-1829~97!06001-3#