1. © 2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Chapter 7 –
Organization
© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

2. © 2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Opening Activity
How information is organized is an important part of reading and writing. Reflect on that, and then discuss the following questions:
How do you expect a college textbook to be organized?
Think of something you have to read or write for your everyday life? How is it organized?
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3. Learning Outcomes
By the time you finish reading and studying this chapter, you should be able to:
LO1 Read for common patterns of organization and transitions.
LO2 Organize details for writing.
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4. Reading for Common Patterns of Organization and Transitions
Informational texts usually follow one of several organizational patterns:
Chronological
Spatial (descriptive)
Cause-effect
Comparison-contrast
Examples
Logical
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5. Reading for Common Patterns of Organization and Transitions
Chronological order is sometimes used in narratives to show time order or in expository texts to discuss a process or explain how to do something. Below are some of the transitional words and phrases used to connect ideas when using chronological order.
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6. Reading for Common Patterns of Organization and Transitions
Spatial order is used when describing location, such as near to far, top to bottom, or left to right. Below are some of the transitional words and phrases used to connect ideas when using spatial order.
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7. Reading for Common Patterns of Organization and Transitions
Cause-effect order is commonly used in academic texts. Below are some of the transitional words and phrases used to connect ideas when producing cause-effect writing.
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8. Reading for Common Patterns of Organization and Transitions
Compare-contrast order discusses the similarities and differences between—two people, two events, two objects, two cultures, two ideas, etc. Below are some common compare-contrast transition words and phrases.
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9. Reading for Common Patterns of Organization and Transitions
Examples are used to illustrate, explain, or justify ideas. Below is a list of transition words and phrases used with examples.
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10. Reading for Common Patterns of Organization and Transitions
Logical order is reflected within an informational text when the information simply is presented in a sensible order. The list below includes words and phrases used within this pattern.
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11. Organizing Details for Writing
Once you have the details you need to support the topic of your writing assignment, select an appropriate pattern of organization.
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© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

12. Organizing Details for Writing
Before you begin writing, you may find it helpful to pick a pattern of organization for your topic’s supporting details. Below are three strategies for arranging the details:
Make a quick list of key details arranged according to the pattern.
Create an outline—an organized arrangement of key points and supporting details.
Fill in a graphic organizer with supporting details.
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© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.