Chapter 5: Patterns of Paragraph Organization In Chapter 5 you will study the ways writers arrange ideas within paragraphs and the devices they use to achieve coherence.
Chapter 5: Patterns of Paragraph Organization Objectives: Patterns of paragraph organization Coherence in paragraphs
Patterns of Organization Defined The various ways that a paragraph’s sentences can be arranged. Patterns of Organization Chronological Narrative and descriptive writing Spatial Deductive Expository or persuasive writing Inductive
Patterns of Organization Defined Chronological time order Commonly used to tell a story, to relate an incident, to recount a historical event, or to describe the steps in a process.
Patterns of Organization Defined Spatial arrangement of objects in an environment Most often used in descriptive writing. Spatial order helps a writer organize descriptive details and to present them so that the reader can visualize the scene. The transitions showing movement from one part of a scene to another are indicated by prepositional phrases. See p. 160 and the second example.
p. 161 Aside from his unusual geography tour, what is the central philosophical point Boulding makes?
p. 161 Aside from his unusual geography tour, what is the central philosophical point Boulding makes? Earth is an infinitesimally small part of the universe, and in a parallel point, human life is insignificant when put into that perspective.
Patterns of Organization Defined Deductive Order most common paragraph assembly General specific Particularly use in textbook material expository paragraphs
Patterns of Organization Defined The main idea is stated directly at the beginning of a passage followed by explanatory material. expository paragraphs Particularly use in textbook material See p. 161-162 (beginning at bottom of page)
Patterns of Organization Defined Inductive Order Specific General Supporting Statements Main Idea
Patterns of Organization Defined Inductive order derives from a kind of thinking called induction. Inductive order involves a series of specific observations leading to a generalization (the main idea) that the reader can validly infer from those statements. Supporting Statements Main Idea
Patterns of Organization Defined The placement of the main idea determines the pattern. See pp. 162-163 Supporting Statements Main Idea
Go to Practice Exercise 1, pp. 163-166 Read the following paragraphs. First, decide which pattern of organization each represents. Chronological order Deductive order Spatial order Inductive order Then, write a sentence stating the main idea in your own words.
Go to Practice Exercise 1 First, decide which pattern of organization each represents. Then, write a sentence stating the main idea in your own words. Pattern of organization: deductive Main idea: Animals instinctively go into hiding to die.
Go to Practice Exercise 1 First, decide which pattern of organization each represents. Then, write a sentence stating the main idea in your own words. Pattern of organization: inductive order Main idea: Our worsening traffic problems will soon weaken our nation and our economy.
Go to Practice Exercise 1 First, decide which pattern of organization each represents. Then, write a sentence stating the main idea in your own words. Pattern of organization: spatial order Main idea: As they drove into Spain, the road took them through the mountains, forest, fields, more trees, more fields, until finally they could see the Pamplona plateau in the distance, behind which were more mountains.
Go to Practice Exercise 1 First, decide which pattern of organization each represents. Then, write a sentence stating the main idea in your own words. Pattern of organization: chronological order Main idea: Although August 6, 1945, began like any other day in Japan, that was the day the Americans dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
Go to Practice Exercise 1 First, decide which pattern of organization each represents. Then, write a sentence stating the main idea in your own words. Pattern of organization: inductive order Main idea: Buford doesn’t understand desserts, and because they are both fascinating and bad for him, they scare him.
Coherence in Paragraphs Careful writers try to help the reader follow the main idea by ensuring that the paragraph has unity or singleness of purpose. In good writing, there should be no irrelevant or extraneous sentences to lead you astray. coherence
Coherence in Paragraphs Transitions are signposts or markers that indicate a logical relationship or a shift in direction. Transitions can be single words or phrases; occasionally, an entire paragraph bridging sections together in an essay Paying attention to transitions will improve your concentration and comprehension and will help you see the logical connections between ideas.
Go to p. 167 Read the first paragraph. What is the paragraph about? Now, read the same passage again but with the changes. Which paragraph is easier to read? Why?
Coherence in Paragraphs Transitions Signaling an additional statement And In addition (to) As well as Besides Furthermore moreover
Coherence in Paragraphs Signaling a Contrast But Yet However Nevertheless Nonetheless While Whereas On the other hand In contrast (to) Contrary to
Coherence in Paragraphs Signaling an Example or Illustration For example As an example To illustrate As an illustration For instance Namely Specifically A case in point Consider the following
Coherence in Paragraphs Signaling Steps in a Process of Chronological Order First Second Third Next The next step Further Then Before After that Finally Last In July Last week In a few days In 2005
Coherence in Paragraphs Signaling Emphasis Indeed In fact Certainly Without a doubt Undoubtedly Admittedly Unquestionably truly
Coherence in Paragraphs Signaling a Concession (an admission of truth) Although Even though In spite of Despite After all
Coherence in Paragraphs Signaling a summary or Conclusion Therefore Thus Then To conclude In conclusion In summary To summarize Consequently hence
Coherence in Paragraphs Signaling Spatial Order Above Below To the right To the left Nearby From afar Beyond Farther on Up the road On top underneath
Coherence in Paragraphs Repetition of Key Phrases By repeating key words and phrases, the author helps the reader to connect thought patterns. See p. 170.
Go to Practice Exercise 2, pp. 171-172 After reading Paragraph A and B, finally, locate the one transitional expression and identify its function.
Go to Practice Exercise 2, pp. 171-172 After reading Paragraph A and B, finally, locate the one transitional expression and identify its function. “in short” (conclusion or summary)