PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
Today's Talk
• What are patterns of organization?
• Signal words or transitions
• Time order (chronological and sequential patterns)
• Spatial order
• The listing pattern
• The cause and effect pattern
• The problem-solution pattern
• The compare and contrast pattern
• Practice
What are Patterns of Organization?
• Patterns of organization are the structure of the major details in a
reading.
• Patterns are like the blueprint of the reading.
• The organization of a reading and the main idea are closely
intertwined.
• Recognizing the patterns, basically knowing the organization of the
supporting details, will help you:
understand how an author thinks
logically order the information
begin predicting test questions
Signal Words or Transitions
• These are words that tell the reader that an important detail is
coming in the text.
• These words also indicate the relationship of ideas in the passage, or
the organization.
Time Order (Chronological and Sequential Patterns)
• Information is organized in order of time.
• Chrono = time Logic = order
• The steps must be followed in the correct order and cannot be
changed.
• Signal words for sequence are first, second, finally, after, before,
next, during, at last
For example:
Jack and Jill ran Jack fell down Jill came
up the hill to fetch and broke his tumbling
a pail of water. crown. after.
Spatial Order / Descriptive Writing
• The spatial order describes something in order of space.
• It describes how something looks.
• TIME DOES NOT PASS in these passages.
• For instance:
Two windows on the
A television across from
west Wall
the bed.
My bedroom
The Listing Pattern
• The paragraph presents a listing of information.
• Changing the order does not change the meaning of the paragraph.
• Signal words for simple listing : first, second, also, in addition,
another, in addition, furthermore
The Problem-Solution Pattern
• A problem and answer are suggested.
• Signal words for the problem-solution pattern are problem, the
question is, a solution, one answer is
Problem Solution
Property is being Require a license
spray painted. to buy spray paint.
•Do not confuse with cause and effect.
•It is presented as a PROBLEM.
The Cause and Effect Pattern
• An action and its results are explained.
• Do not confuse with chronological.
• Will not have a beginning, middle, and end.
• Time will not progress much.
• Signal words for cause and effect are because, for this reason
consequently, hence, as a result, therefore.
Cause Effect
Students did not learn They performed
the material. poorly on the test.
The Compare and Contrast Pattern
• Tells how two things are similar and different.
• Signal words for the compare and contrast patterns are different from,
same as, similar to, as opposed to, instead of, although, however
compared with, as well as, either…or, but, on the other hand, unless
Apples & Oranges
Alike Different
1. People don’t eat
orange skins.
1. Both are fruits.
2. Oranges have
2. Both have skin.
more juice.
Decide what patterns of organization these passages below:
• Signal words or transitions
• Time order (chronological and sequential patterns)
• Spatial order
• The listing pattern
• The cause and effect pattern
• The problem-solution pattern
• The compare and contrast pattern
WHY DO WE HAVE SCHOOLS?
MILESTONES
HAVE A GREAT DAY
ATTENDANCE
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