6 PATTERNS OF O RGANIZATION Writing

6 PATTERNS OF O RGANIZATION Step by Step Comparison/ Contrast Most Important to Least Important Main Idea and Support Chronological Order Key Points

S TEP BY S TEP Use to show how to do something. Such as making cookies or riding a bike. You show the reader step by step how to do something.

C OMPARISON AND CONTRAST Used to organize similarities and differences, for example, how lions are like tigers. Describing two different people, things, or ideas.

M OST IMPORTANT TO LEAST IMPORTANT When you don’t have enough space to tell everything, you can begin with the most important ideas and then continue to go on in order of importance until you run out of space.

M AIN I DEA AND SUPPORT When you are focusing on one big point, this is the pattern to use. State your main idea clearly and then frame it with the supporting details. This will help your reader understand the point you wish to make.

C HRONOLOGICAL ORDER Used to retell events that happened over a period of time. Ex: first, second, third. This is a great way to explain history.

K EY P OINTS Rather than telling every mundane detail about someone, you main only want to focus on his or her major contributions. Think of three or four questions that a reader might ask on the topic and then answer those questions. This process keeps your writing focused.