1. Session 5 Types of Organizational ArrangementsBy
Elanor J. McCoy

2. Five Main Organizational Patterns
Topical – used when no one main point is more important than the other and the order in which they are presented will not change the message.
Chronological – follows the sequential order of the main points. If the main points were moved around it would cause the arrangement to seem unnatural and would confuse the audience.
Time order
A set pattern of action or task
Sequential steps

3. Organization continued
Spatial Pattern – When the purpose is to explain the physical arrangement of a place, scene or and object.
Cause-effect pattern
1st main point (cause)
2nd main point (effect) or vise versa
Problem-Solution – arranged to demonstrate the nature of the problem then a solution is provided.
1st main point (problem)
2nd main point (solution)s or it could be more complex using a problem solving technique

4. Alternative Patterns
Narrative Pattern – the speech consist of a short story or a series of short stories.
Circle Pattern – the speaker develops ideas which lead to another, then another, and another until it arrives back at the thesis statement. Very useful when trying to persuade someone.