Recognizing Organizational Patterns

What is an organizational pattern? Details support a main idea. Authors organize these details in a particular order to create a pattern.

Why do I need to know it? By recognizing the pattern the author uses you can understand how an author thinks and how they logically order the information. This will help you understand the text better and predict information.

Sometimes the organizational pattern is not easy to define Sometimes the organizational pattern is not easy to define. Other times it is obvious. It is also important to note that authors often incorporate several types of organizational patterns in their writing.

The most common patterns… chronological (also called time order) spatial order (place order) cause / effect compare / contrast Listing order of importance process (sequence) advantages / disadvantages definition and example (description) problem / solution

Chronological (time order) A sequence of events or steps in a process is described in order Signal Words First, second, third, before, on (date), not long after, after that, next, then, at the same time, finally, from that time

Sample Passage A hundred years ago, West Africa's last giraffes numbered in the thousands and their habitat stretched from Senegal's Atlantic Ocean coast to Chad, in the heart of the continent. By the dawn of the 21st century, their world had shrunk to a tiny zone southeast of the capital, Niamey, stretching barely 150 miles long. The numbers of the Western subspecies dwindled so low that in 1996, they numbered a mere 50. Instead of disappearing as many feared, though, the giraffes have bounced miraculously back from the brink of extinction, swelling to more than 200 today. West Africa's Giraffes Make Comeback By TODD PITMAN AP, Nov 08, 2009 from http://news.aol.com/article/west-africa-giraffes-rebound-from-near/757643

Signal words / phrases A hundred years ago, West Africa's last giraffes numbered in the thousands and their habitat stretched from Senegal's Atlantic Ocean coast to Chad, in the heart of the continent. By the dawn of the 21st century, their world had shrunk to a tiny zone southeast of the capital, Niamey, stretching barely 150 miles long. The numbers of the Western subspecies dwindled so low that in 1996, they numbered a mere 50. Instead of disappearing as many feared, though, the giraffes have bounced miraculously back from the brink of extinction, swelling to more than 200 today. West Africa's Giraffes Make Comeback By TODD PITMAN AP, Nov 08, 2009 from http://news.aol.com/article/west-africa-giraffes-rebound-from-near/757643

Chronological (time order) What types of writing do you think would use chronlogical patterns?

Spatial Arranges information based on how things fit in a physical space Signal Words based on the topic but will include words based on locations to the right, beside, beyond, next to, etc.

Sample Passage It wasn’t at all how Jill remembered it. The kitchen, which used to seem so big and roomy, was now cramped with just the two of them. Her mother moved slowly around the large granite island to the sink where she choped vegetables as always. The counters to the left and right were filled with snack and cookies. Her mother gazed out the window to the backyard, the rusted swing set, and smiled.

Signal words / phrases It wasn’t at all how Jill remembered it. The kitchen, which used to seem so big and roomy, was now cramped with just the two of them. Her mother moved slowly around the large granite island to the sink where she choped vegetables as always. The counters to the left and right were filled with snack and cookies. Her mother gazed out the window to the backyard, the rusted swing set, and smiled.

What types of writing do you think would use spatial patterns?

Cause / Effect Shows how one thing causes another thing to happen Signal Words Therefore, so, cause, effect, this led to, as a result, consequently, because, if…then,

Sample Passage The hurricane had many after-effects. The storm caused damage to many homes and businesses, tearing shingles off roofs and breaking windows. As a result of the 80 mph winds, stop sign were knocked over, trees were uprooted and debris littered the road. The strong winds knocked down power lines, so electricity was out for a few days. The results of the storm were devastating.

Signal words /phrases The hurricane had many after-effects. The storm caused damage to many homes and businesses, tearing shingles off roofs and breaking windows. As a result of the 80 mph winds, stop sign were knocked over, trees were uprooted and debris littered the road. The strong winds knocked down power lines, so electricity was out for a few days. The results of the storm were devastating.

What types of writing do you think would use cause / effect patterns?

Compare / Contrast Writer shows how things are alike and/or how they are different Signal Words Like, unlike, but, in contrast, on the other hand, however, both, also, neither, too, as well as, in comparison to

Sample Passage Girls softball is unlike many other sports. Most sports have the same basic rules and equipment for males and females but this is not the case with softball. Softball has different bats and balls, different rules and a major part of the whole game—pitching—is very different from baseball. Compare softball to other sports such as tennis, golf, basketball, and soccer and you can see that softball is truly a separate sport.

Signal words /phrases Girls softball is unlike many other sports. Most sports have the same basic rules and equipment for males and females but this is not the case with softball. Softball has different bats and balls, different rules and a major part of the whole game—pitching—is very different from baseball. Compare softball to other sports such as tennis, golf, basketball, and soccer and you can see that softball is truly a separate sport.

compare /contrast patterns? What types of writing do you think would use compare /contrast patterns?

Listing A series of reasons, points, ideas, features Signal Words First, second, third, in addition, also, Bullets

Sample Passage The most common patterns… chronological (also called time order) spatial order (place order) cause / effect compare / contrast listing order of importance process (sequence) advantages / disadvantages definition and example (description) problem / solution

Signal words /phrases Bulleted list The most common patterns… chronological (also called time order) spatial order (place order) cause / effect compare / contrast listing order of importance process (sequence) advantages / disadvantages definition and example (description) problem / solution Bulleted list

What types of writing do you think would use listing patterns?

Other methods of organization process (sequence) Steps or stages that lead to a final product or finished project Signal words: first, second, third advantages / disadvantages Topic is divided into its good and bad parts or pros and cons. Signal words: depends on the topic but might include words like… however, on the other hand, but, etc.

Other methods of organization definition and example A word or concept is introduced and then explained or described Signal words: Such as, for example, for instance, most important, in front, beside, behind problem / solution The writer raises a problem and suggests solutions Signal words: Why do? How do? problem, solution, it is possible that

Remember writers often use several organizational patterns Remember writers often use several organizational patterns. Look for the dominant pattern.

Find examples of as many patterns as you can. Discuss those that are confusing.

WRITE A piece using a specified pattern Trade with a partner, Rewrite same topic using another pattern.