Structural Patterns in Writing (Ways to organize your writing)

Overview  There are many ways to organize your writing Cause and EffectCompare and Contrast Sequential OrderLogical Order DescriptionClassification Order of ImportanceProposition/Support Problem and Solution  The pattern chosen depends on the author’s topic and objective for writing (what and why?)

Cause and Effect Organization  Show the different causes and effects of various conditions  Effective for persuasive papers  Two patterns: All causes in one paragraph and all effects in another, or Each paragraph has one cause with all effects

Sequential Organization  Used to describe a process  Arranges information according to a step-by-step sequence  For instance, the steps required to produce a loaf of bread.

Compare and Contrast Organization  Effective to use when a reader is familiar with one topic  Arranges information according to how two or more things are similar to or different from one another  Two patterns: Each paragraph describes the similarities/ differences of one factor, with a different paragraph for each factor, or create two main paragraphs, one that describes similarities and one that describes differences

Order of Importance Organization  Put the most important information first What is important depends on your audience Know who you are writing for so that you provide information that is important to your audience

Problem & Solution Organization  Divides information into two main sections: one that describes a problem and one that describes a solution First, the writer convinces the reader a problem exists Second, the writer provides a solution to the problem  Typically used in persuasive writing the writer's general purpose is to convince the reader to support a certain course of action

Logical Order Organization  The essay moves between general ideas and specific examples in a logical manner Introduce each idea, then follow up with supporting examples A logical progression of ideas allows the reader to easily reach the same conclusion as the writer

Classification Organization  Break a large subject into categories  Show the reader how the categories are connected to each other and/or the thesis Pets  Dogs Types Pros and cons  Cats Types Pros and cons

Proposition & Support Organization  An organization that presents an idea or belief positively or firmly.  Also referred to as a Persuasive Organization  Gives the reader an idea of what will be presented in the paper Includes a “call to action” to support the idea, or A solution to a perceived problem

Final Thoughts  Avoid “So what?” at the end! What is the point of your essay? You don't need to come right out and state the point; let the point grow out of the experience of the essay.  Allow the reader to infer your point, or  Your conclusion can offer the “so what” to tie everything together