Scribd
Upload
132 views

Patterns of Organization

This document outlines different patterns of organization that can be used when writing, including: definition, classification, chronological, sequence/process, compare and contrast, listing, cause and effect, problem and solution, spatial, and description. Each pattern is defined and examples of how it structures information are provided. Signal words and characteristics that indicate the use of each specific pattern of organization are also listed.

Uploaded by

kb
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
132 views

Patterns of Organization

This document outlines different patterns of organization that can be used when writing, including: definition, classification, chronological, sequence/process, compare and contrast, listing, cause and effect, problem and solution, spatial, and description. Each pattern is defined and examples of how it structures information are provided. Signal words and characteristics that indicate the use of each specific pattern of organization are also listed.

Uploaded by

kb
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Patterns of Organization

PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION

- How information in a passage is organized

Definition Pattern
- In this pattern, a word or concept is introduced then explained or described. An
example of its usage could follow. The pattern is very close to illustration or
description.
Signal Words: Definition

- define as, is, known, the term means, is stated as, is used to mean…
- for example, to illustrate, for instance, such as, specifically…
- i.e., e.g.

CLASSIFICATION
Classification: The topic sentence describes how some larger group can be broken down into
smaller subgroups.

- topic sentences include words like categories and subgroups.


- topic sentence use verbs like broken down into, analyzed, or divided.
- The author takes a broad category and divides it into subcategories. Divides la topic
into parts based on shared characteristics. Analysis of where events, ideas, or facts
fit in with other events, ideas and facts.

CHRONOLOGICAL
- Information is organized in order of time.
- Items are listed in the order in which they occurred or in a specifically planned order
in which they must develop. In this case, the order is important Sand changing it
would change the meaning.
Chrono = time Logic = order ALL stories are told chronologically.
Patterns of Organization

Sequence / Process Writing


- Information is listed step-by-step.
- Explains how to do it or how it happens.
- Processes are explained through steps or stages
- Indicates that certain steps need to be followed in specific order for the result to
make sense
Don’t confuse with chronological!

COMPARE AND CONTRAST


Tells how two things are similar and different.
Items are related by the comparisons (similarities) that are made or by the contrasts
(differences) that are presented. two or more persons, places, things

Listing
- Items are named or listed as the details, and the order of the details is
not important.
- Listing Transition Words: first, second, third, another, also, too, finally,
several, numerals (1,2, 3 ), letters (a,b,c)
- Example: One way to overcome boredom is by turning on the television. Another
way is to read a good book.
Patterns of Organization

Cause and Effect


- An action and its results are explained.
- Don’t confuse with chronological.
- Won’t have a beginning, middle, and end.
- Time won’t progress much.

Problem and Solution

- A problem and answer are suggested.


- Don’t confuse with cause and effect.
- It is presented as a PROBLEM.
- The text presents a significant problem and explains it in detail. Then, a
possible solution is proposed. Sometimes, only the problem is presented
because there is no solution.
-

SPATIAL
- Spatial is to space.
- Describes something in order of space.

- A spatial pattern of organization arranges information according to how things fit


together in physical space; i.e., where one thing exists in relation to another.
- This pattern works well when a writer wishes to create a mental picture of
something which has various parts distinguished by physical location.
Patterns of Organization

- Topics involving geography, for example, are often best organized using a spatial
pattern.

DESCRIPTION PATTERN
- Tells about how something looks, sound, smells, tastes or feels
- The paragraph should provide specific details of the most important features and
use appropriate adjectives to describe attributes and qualities.
- Creates a sensory image on the reader’s mind
- Paints a picture with words

Example:

PRACTICE: Read each passage and determine the pattern of organization.


Patterns of Organization

‘//,

You might also like