Patterns of Organization

Patterns of Organization Arrangement of the details An important reading skill Indicate what the author thinks is important Help with comprehension and retention of the information.

Chronological Pattern • It arranges information according to a progression of time • Topics of an historical nature are best organized using this pattern. • It answers the questions relating to time. • Signal words: now, before, after, later, finally, when, then, soon, eventually, until, next, during, afterward…

Sequential Pattern • It arranges information according to a step-by-step sequence that describes a particular process. • Signal words: first, next, furthermore, last, third, finally, also, second, in addition…

Spatial Pattern • It arranges information according to how things fit together in physical space. • The purpose is to create a mental picture of something. • Signal words: sensory words

Compare-contrast Pattern • It arranges information according to how two or more things are similar to or different from one another. • Comparison signal words: similarly, like, the same as, compared to, in the same way, likewise, equally… • Contrast signal words: but, yet, on the other hand, however, instead, unlike, although, despite, differ, nevertheless, on the contrary…

Cause-effect Pattern • It is to show the different causes and effects of various conditions. • Signal words for cause: because, for this reason, due to, cause, on account of, if this… • Signal words for effect: as a result, since, consequently, therefore, thus, in effect, resulting, hence, for this reason, due to…

Problem-solution Pattern • It divides information into two main sections, one that describes a problem and one that describes a solution. • Signal words: problem, need, difficulty, dilemma, enigma, challenge, issue, answer, propose, suggest, indicate, solve, resolve, improve…

Definition • It explains a new, difficult, or special term. Examples are provided to clarify the definition. • Definition Transition Words: consists of, is a term that, involves, is called, is characterized by, that is, occurs when, exists when, are those that, entails, means, for example, such as • Example: Repression is the mind’s power to block fearful thoughts, impulses, and memories. For example, a person may repress or forget painful childhood memories.

Classification • Ideas are sorted into smaller groups and then the traits of each group are described. • Classification Transition Words: type, group, varieties, kinds, divisions • Example: Internet users have two types of access choices for surfing the Web. The first type of access to the Internet is the old-fashioned phone line. The second type of access is highspeed broadband through the TV cable or high-speed DSL through fiber optic phone lines.

Choose the Best Pattern 1. to persuade his/her reader to ride bicycles as their primary form of transportation 2. to help the reader make an informed decision about whether to attend a two-year college or a four-year-university 3. to describe the forms of entertainment available to tourists visiting Los Angeles 4. to explain how wine is made 5. to describe the historical develop0ment and evolution of the city of Seattle

Name the Pattern • It seemed like an ordinary day when she got up that morning, but Lynda was about to embark on the worst day of her life. First, she fell in the bathtub because her mother forgot to rinse out the bath oil. Then she spilled orange juice on the outfit she had spent hours putting together for school pictures. When she changed, she messed up the French braid her mother had put in her hair. As she walked out the door, she dropped all of her school books and her math homework flew away. Once she made it to the car, she thought everything would be all right. She was wrong; her father didn't look before he backed out of the driveway and ran into the neighbor’s truck. Lynda’s side of the car was damaged the most, and she ended up with a broken arm. That night, she cried herself to sleep.

Answer • Chronological Pattern

Name the Pattern Because toys have become electronic devices, some children today are unable to entertain themselves. Gone are the days when children invented their own adventures and used sticks as swords, cookie sheets as armor, and refrigerator box as a fortress to defend. The electronic age has delivered children all sorts of gadgets and gizmos that are supposed to be realistic. Some toys even have buttons to push, so prerecorded messages can be played to begin scripted adventures that require no imagination. No imagination? No wonder some children today have short attention spans.

The Answer • Cause and Effect

Name the Pattern • Several students receive poor grades on writing assignments, not because they lack the ability to communicate, but because they can not seem to manage their time when it comes to a large project. They do not know where to begin, and therefore put things off until the last minute. To solve this problem, students need to develop a timeline for completing the project. If they divide the assignment into manageable “chunks” or parts and then set a schedule for completing each part, they will be able to finish the entire project before the deadline. Without the pressure of not knowing where to begin, the students will be able to focus on the assignment and communicate their ideas effectively.

The Answer • Problem-solution Pattern

Name the Pattern • As a child, I thought my parents were ignorant and out of touch with reality. They couldn’t possibly understand anything I thought or felt. When they weren’t annoying me with their ridiculous lectures, or grounding me for minor infractions of the rules, they were embarrassing me in public. As a parent, I find it frustrating that my children think I have no clue about their lives, even though I understand perfectly well what they are thinking or feeling. I find myself giving my children the same lectures I once thought were ridiculous. My children can not seem to follow the rules their father and I have set, and they are continuously embarrassing me in public. My, how things have changed.

The Answer • Compare and Contrast

Name the Pattern • I couldn’t believe my eyes when we finally emerged from the storm shelter. Where the barn once stood there was now only a few tufts of hay. The path that led to the house was scattered with branches and debris. The house! The entire roof was gone. The north wall was caved in and we could see right into the house. Well, what was left of it. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I noticed that most of our belongings had been sucked up into the great vacuum and scattered across the countryside. We heard a loud cracking and moaning as the west wall gave way and collapsed, sending up a wave of dust. And yet, there in the middle of the front yard was mother’s prized rose bush. It swayed in the breeze as if nothing had happened. Seeing it made me realize how lucky we were to be alive. We stood there in dismay, our arms locked around one another.

The Answer • Spatial Pattern

Name the Pattern • Although they are sisters, Jennifer and Jessica are complete opposites. Jennifer enjoys playing sports, while Jessica would rather watch. Jennifer has no interest in playing a musical instrument, while Jessica is the first chair violinist. Jennifer listens to new age music, while Jessica prefers country. Jennifer’s favorite subject is English, and Jessica’s favorite is math. Jennifer likes to curl up in a chair on a rainy day and read a good book , but Jessica would rather sleep all day. No one would ever guess that they are actually twins.

The AnswerCompare and Contrast Pattern

Name the Pattern • As you might already know, there is no direct intermixing of blood between a mother and her unborn child. However, some substances—especially drugs—can still have a powerful effect on the fetus. If, for example, the mother is addicted to morphine, heroin, or methadone, the baby may be born with the same addiction. For that matter, even high doses of aspirin appear to have some effect on the fetus. In at least one study, high doses of aspirin have been linked to lowered IQs in infants.

The Answer • Cause and Effect

Name the Pattern • At one time or another, most of us have suffered from nightmares. Nightmares are bad dreams that take place during the deepest level of sleep. They are usually brief and upon waking can be remembered in detail. Night terrors, however, are a good deal more anxiety producing. During a night terror, the sleeper experiences a feeling of total panic, and that panic may last for fifteen or twenty minutes. During this time, the victim may scream or shout in fear. Usually, however, upon waking, the sleeper only vaguely remembers what caused the terror.

The Answer • Compare and Contrast

Name the Pattern • In a study of happiness, researcher Jonathan freedman asked a hundred people to give their definitions of happiness. The results of Freedman’s study suggest that people really do differ in how they define happiness. About half of Freedman’s subjects spoke of happiness in terms of excitement and good times. To them, happiness was a life full of fun. The other half, however, thought of happiness in terms of contentment, satisfaction, or freedom from worries. For these people, happiness was peace of mind. Yet while some stressed pleasurable activity and others stressed quiet contentment, the difference was really a matter of emphasis. Almost everyone agreed that both good times and peace of mind are central to being happy.

The Answer • Compare and constrast

Name the Pattern • Since the early 1970s, unions have begun to lose both members and power. Why? One major reason is that unions were born among blue-collar workers. Now blue-collar employment is shrinking while white-collar employment is growing. Unfortunately, unions have been slow to respond to this shift in the work force, and they have suffered for it. Some experts think that America’s unions will never recover from their current slump.

The Answer • Cause and effect

Name the Pattern • Americans love junk food. Every year, we consume vast quantities of candy, cookies, pretzels, soda, and chips. Why do we do it? We do it because junk food tastes good. However, we are also undoubtedly influenced by advertising. Just consider the number of commercials that celebrate the benefits of junk food. Want to feel lively and popular? All you have to do is drink brand X cola Want to impress your friends? Offer them a bag of brand Y chips. No wonder we can’t stop munching.

The Answer • Cause and effect

Your Assignment • Choose a topic with which you are very familiar (you know a lot about it) and four patterns. • Write a paragraph for each pattern about the same topic. • Identify the pattern before each paragraph. • Use at least three transitions/signal words in each paragraph and highlight them. • Your paragraph must show the logical relationship and cohesive link between the sentences. • Your rough draft is due on Tuesday and Print out your final draft and turn it in on Thursday. • Use Arial, 1.15 spacing, and 12 font size.

Patterns of Organization