1. TEN STEPS TO BUILDING COLLEGE READING SKILLS
Fourth Edition
John Langan
© Townsend Press

2. Chapter Six: Relationships I
THIS CHAPTER IN A NUTSHELL
• To help make their ideas clear, authors use transitions— bridge words that carry the reader from one idea to the next.
— Typical addition transitions are for one thing, second, also, another, in addition, and finally.
— Typical time transitions are first, next, then, after, and last.
• To help make their ideas clear, authors use common patterns of organization.
— The list of items pattern presents a series of reasons, examples, or other points.
— The time order pattern presents steps or events in the order in which they happen.
See page 217 in textbook.

3. • These two methods are transitions and patterns of organization.
• Authors use two common methods to show connections, or relationships, between ideas.
• These two methods are transitions and patterns of organization.
See page 217 in textbook.

4. • Transitions show relationships between ideas in sentences.
• Patterns of organization show relationships between supporting details in paragraphs and longer pieces of writing.
See page 217 in textbook.

5. Two common types of relationships are
• Relationships that involve addition
• Relationships that involve time
See page 217 in textbook.

6. TRANSITIONS Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. Paperback books cost less than hardbacks. They are easier to carry.
B. Paperback books cost less than hardbacks. Also, they are easier to carry.
See page 218 in textbook.
ANSWER: B
The next slide explains the choice.

7. TRANSITIONS Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. Paperback books cost less than hardbacks. They are easier to carry.
B. Paperback books cost less than hardbacks. Also, they are easier to carry.
See page 218 in textbook.
Explanation
The word also in the second item makes it clear that the writer is discussing a second advantage of paperback books. This makes the second item easier to understand.

8. TRANSITIONS
Transitions are words or phrases (such as also) that show a relationship between ideas.
They are “bridge” words, carrying the reader across from one idea to the next.
See page 218 in textbook.

9. TRANSITIONS Words That Show Addition
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. Climbing stairs is good exercise for your muscles. It burns a lot of calories.
B. Climbing stairs is good exercise for your muscles. In addition, it burns a lot of calories.
See page 218 in textbook.
ANSWER: B
The next slide explains the choice.

10. TRANSITIONS Words That Show Addition
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. Climbing stairs is good exercise for your muscles. It burns a lot of calories.
B. Climbing stairs is good exercise for your muscles. In addition, it burns a lot of calories.
See page 218 in textbook.
Explanation
The words In addition in the second item help make the relationship between the two sentences clear. The author is listing two benefits of climbing stairs: it is good exercise, and it burns a lot of calories.

11. TRANSITIONS Words That Show Addition
Addition words tell us that writers are adding to their thoughts. Here are some common addition words:
Addition Words
one to begin with in addition last
first another next last of all
first of all second moreover final
for one thing also furthermore finally
See pages 218 and 219 in textbook.

12. TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Addition
In the examples below, notice how the addition words add to what has already been said.
• One reason people have dogs is for companionship; another reason is for protection.
• The human body has six pounds of skin. Furthermore, it contains sixty thousand miles of blood vessels.
See pages 218 and 219 in textbook.

13. TRANSITIONS Words That Show Time
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. I had blood work done. I went to the doctor.
B. I had blood work done. Then I went to the doctor.
See pages 220 and 221 in textbook.
ANSWER: B.
The next slide explains the choice.

14. TRANSITIONS Words That Show Time
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. I had blood work done. I went to the doctor.
B. I had blood work done. Then I went to the doctor.
See pages 220 and 221 in textbook.
Explanation
The word Then in the second item makes clear the relationship between the two sentences. After having blood work done, the speaker went to the doctor.

15. TRANSITIONS Words That Show Time before next while later
Time words tell us when something happened in relation to when something else happened. Here are some common time words:
Time Words
before next while later
previously soon during after
first often until eventually
second as now finally
third when then last
Note: Additional ways of showing time are dates (“In 1850…”; “Throughout the 20th century…”; “By 2010…”) and other time references (“Within a week…”; “by the end of the month…”; “in two years…”).
See pages 220 and 221 in textbook.

16. TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Time
In the examples below, notice how the time words show us when something takes place.
• After our kids take their morning showers, there is usually no hot water left.
• It used to take me thirty-five minutes to get to school. Now, because of the transport strike, that time has nearly doubled.
See pages 220 and 221 in textbook.

17. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
Patterns of organization show the relationships between supporting details in paragraphs, essays, and chapters.
See pages 222 and 223 in textbook.

18. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
Two major patterns of organization are
• The list of items pattern
(Addition words are often used in this pattern of organization.)
• The time order pattern
(Time words are often used in this pattern of organization.)
See pages 222 and 223 in textbook.

19. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
The List of Items Pattern
List of items
Item 1
Item 2
Item 3
• A list of items is a series of reasons, examples, or other points that support an idea.
• The items have no time order, but are listed in whatever order the author prefers.
See pages 223 and 224 in textbook.

20. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
The List of Items Pattern
In the paragraph below, notice that each of the supporting details is introduced by an addition transition.
Walking can be a rewarding experience. For one thing, walking lets you see firsthand what’s going on in your neighborhood. Also, when you’re on foot, you are more likely to meet neighbors and make new friends. Finally, a brisk walk is an excellent and inexpensive form of exercise.
See pages 223 and 224 in textbook.

21. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
The List of Items Pattern
When authors arrange their information as a list of items, they often use addition words to introduce the supporting details.
Addition Words Used in the List of Items Pattern
one to begin with in addition last
first another next last of all
first of all second moreover final
for one thing also furthermore finally
See pages 223 and 224 in textbook.

22. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
The List of Items Pattern
The passage below lists two theories that attempt to explain crime. As you read the passage, pick out the addition words that introduce the two major details.
A number of different theories attempt to explain crime. One theory says that crime is caused by biology. This explanation says that people inherit the tendency to commit crime much as they inherit eye color. Another theory suggests that crime is caused by psychological factors. According to this view, anger caused in childhood—by such painful events as abuse and neglect—drives people to commit crimes.
See pages 223 and 224 in textbook.
ANSWERS: One, Another
The next slide highlights these words.

23. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
The List of Items Pattern
The addition words are shown in blue.
What major details are needed to complete the outline below the passage?
A number of different theories attempt to explain crime. One theory says that crime is caused by biology. This explanation says that people inherit the tendency to commit crime much as they inherit eye color. Another theory suggests that crime is caused by psychological factors. According to this view, anger caused in childhood—by such painful events as abuse and neglect—drives people to commit crimes.
See pages 223 and 224 in textbook.
ANSWERS: 1. Biological
2. Psychological factors
The next slide highlights these answers.
Main idea: A number of different theories attempt to explain crime. 1. 2.

24. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
The List of Items Pattern
Addition words lead you to the major details the author has listed.
A number of different theories attempt to explain crime. One theory says that crime is caused by biology. This explanation says that people inherit the tendency to commit crime much as they inherit eye color. Another theory suggests that crime is caused by psychological factors. According to this view, anger caused in childhood—by such painful events as abuse and neglect—drives people to commit crimes.
See pages 223 and 224 in textbook.
Main idea: A number of different theories attempt to explain crime.
1. Biology
2. Psychological factors

25. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
The Time Order Pattern
• Authors usually present events in the order in which they happen.
• This results in a pattern of organization known as time order.
See pages 226 and 227 in textbook.

26. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
The Time Order Pattern
See if you can arrange the following sentences in an order that makes sense. Which sentence should come first? Second? Third? Last?
A. After the dish had been brought to Germany, a German cook decided to broil the meat, calling it Hamburg steak.
B. Finally, German immigrants took the dish to the United States, where it became known as “hamburger.”
C. For centuries, a dish made of raw ground beef was eaten by the Tartars, a group living in central Asia.
D. Then a merchant from Germany discovered the Tartars’ recipe for ground beef and took it to his hometown, Hamburg.
See pages 226 and 227 in textbook.
ANSWERS: First = C
Second = D
Third = A
Fourth = B
The next slide shows the passage in order.

27. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
The Time Order Pattern
Here is the logical order for the sentences on the last screen.
For centuries, a dish made of raw ground beef was eaten by the Tartars, a group living in central Asia. Then a merchant from Germany discovered the Tartars’ recipe for ground beef and took it to his hometown, Hamburg. After the dish had been brought to Germany, a German cook decided to broil the meat, calling it Hamburg steak. Finally, German immigrants took the dish to the United States, where it became known as “hamburger.”
See pages 226 and 227 in textbook.
Notice that each supporting detail is introduced by a time word.

28. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
The Time Order Pattern
When authors arrange their information in a time order pattern, they use time words to introduce the supporting details.
Time Words Used in the Time Order Pattern
before next while later
previously soon during after
first often until eventually
second as now finally
third when then last
See pages 226 and 227 in textbook.

29. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
The Time Order Pattern
Two of the most common kinds of time order are
1. a series of events or stages
2. a series of steps (directions for how to do something)
See page 227 in textbook.

30. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
The Time Order Pattern: Series of Events or Stages
Time Order: Events
Event 1
Event 2
Event 3
Here is the first sentence of a paragraph organized as a series of events:
Three important events led to the outbreak of World War I.
See pages 228 and 229 in textbook.
Here is the first sentence of a paragraph organized as a series of stages:
Very young children in a hospital often go through three stages of separation anxiety.

31. PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION
The Time Order Pattern: Series of Steps (Directions)
Time Order: Steps
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Here is the first sentence of a paragraph organized as a series of steps:
See pages 230 and 231 in textbook.
To study a textbook effectively, follow a few helpful steps.

32. between supporting details in paragraphs and longer pieces of writing.
CHAPTER REVIEW
In this chapter, you learned how authors use transitions and patterns of organization to make their ideas clear. Just as transitions show relationships between ideas in sentences, patterns of organization show relationships
between supporting details in paragraphs and longer pieces of writing.
You also two common kinds of relationships that authors use to make their ideas clear:
• Addition relationships
— Authors often present a list or series of reasons, examples, or other details that support an idea. The items have no time order, but are listed in whatever order the author prefers.
— Transition words that signal such addition relationships include for one thing, second, also, in addition, and finally.
• Time relationships
— Authors usually discuss a series of events or steps in the order in which they happen, resulting in a time order.
— Transition words that signal such time relationships include first, next, then, after, and last.
See page 234 in textbook.
The next chapter—Chapter 7—will help you learn three other important kinds of relationships: definition-example, comparison and/or contrast, and cause-effect.