A brief description about the different patterns to organize essays.

1. Organization patterns

2.  Arranges information according to a progression of time.
 I. 1895 - 1920
Significant Event # 1
 Significant Event # 2
 II. 1920 - 1945
 Significant Event # 1
 Significant Event # 2

3.  Arranges information according to a step-by-step sequence that describes a
particular process.
 I. Step One: Harvest the grapes
Harvesting procedure number one
 Harvesting procedure number two
 II. Step Two: Prepare the grapes
 Preparation procedure number one
 Preparation procedure number two

4.  Arranges information according to how things fit together in physical space.
 I. Downtown Waterfront
Aquarium
 Pike Place Market
 II. Seattle Center
 Space Needle
 Pacific Science Center

5.  Arranges information according to
how two or more things are similar
to or different from one another (or
both).
 I.Cost of Tuition
1.Two-year
2.Four-year
II. Quality of Education
1.Two-year
2.Four-year
 I. Points of Comparison
 Educational Programs
 Cost of Tuition
 II. Points of Contrast
 Quality of Education
 Type of Degree

6.  Organizes information about a topic by dividing it up into its "good" and "bad"
parts, or pro's and con's.
 I. Advantages
 Cost
 Accessibility
 II. Disadvantages
 Number of educational programs
 Quality of instruction

7.  Used to show the different causes and effects of various conditions.
 I. Causes of Conflict Escalation
 Expanding the issues
 Personal attacks
 II. Effects of these causes
Lose focus on original issue
 Cycle of defensive responses
 Win-Lose orientation
 Negative emotions

8.  Divides information into two main sections, one that describes a problem and one
that describes a solution.
 I. Problem: Motorized Transportation
 Increasing traffic congestion
 Increasing pollution
 Increasing "road rage" from traffic-related stress
 II. Solution: Riding Bicycles
 Bike riding reduces the number of motorized vehicles in use
 Bike riding is not a source of pollution
 Bike riding has physical and psychological health benefits

9.  Arranges information according to different
sub-topics within a larger topic, or the
"types" of things that fall within a larger
category.
 I. Red Wines
 A. European
 Bordeaux
 Burgundy
 Chianti
 B. Californian
 Cabernet Sauvignon
 Pinot Noir
 Zinfandel
 II. White Wines
 A. European
 Bordeaux
 Burgundy
 Mosel
 B. Californian
 Sauvignon Blanc
 Chardonnay
 Riesling

10. http://faculty.washington.edu/ezent/impo.htm

11.  Create your own 5 paragraph essay (free topic) applying any of the
patterns previously explained.