3. Order of Organization in Writing
Organization in writing refers to the arrangement of information or ideas
in a sentence, paragraph or essay. The writers may arrange information
or ideas in various ways like spatially, chronologically and many more.
Organizational patters can be identified by what transitions or “signal
words” the author uses.
4. Effective communication begins with a clearly organized set of ideas following
a logical, consistent pattern. One of the most important decisions of a writer
makes concerns the pattern of organization that is used to structure and order
information.
Why is it important?
6. Chronological
Chrono = time Logic = order
Chronological Information is organizes ideas or events according to
time. It can either be in form of narration or a process. Some writers
consider this also as a narration pattern.
Common Signal Words: dates, time, first, second, next, then, soon,
finally, eventually, etc.
Answers: “When did it happen?” “In what order did it happen?”
CHRONOLOGICAL SPATIAL/ DESCRIPTIVE
7. Example 1:
It seemed like an ordinary day when she got up that morning, but Lynda was about to
embark on the worst day of her life. First, she fell in the bathtub because her mother for
got to rinse out the bath oil. Then she spilled orange juice on the outfit she had spent
hours putting together for school pictures.
Example 2:
CHRONOLOGICAL SPATIAL/ DESCRIPTIVE
8. Spatial
Also called Order of Location, the text describes physical location or
position in space. It discusses a subject according to a specific pattern.
Details support the main idea as a list that reveals where items are
located.
Describes something in order of space or how
something looks. Provides examples to support main idea
Common Signal Words: above, adjacent to, away, below, behind,
beside, between, beyond, close by, elsewhere, opposite, outside, over,
toward, under, within, without, etc.
Answers: “Where?” “In physical relation to what?”
CHRONOLOGICAL SPATIAL/ DESCRIPTIVE
9. Example 1:
“Drivers should sit 10 to 12 inches from the steering wheel to
allow the air bag to inflate toward the chest and away from t
he face and neck.
Example 2:
CHRONOLOGICAL SPATIAL/ DESCRIPTIVE
10. Descriptive / Description
Details explain the main idea by providing a mental picture of
situations, objects, or surroundings; details focus on sensory or physical
data.
Common Signal Words:
Uses words that show size, shape, texture, color, thickness, length,
feelings. above, across, along, appears to be, as in, behind, below,
beside, between, down, in back of, in front of, looks like, near, on top,
Interlocking, etc.
Answers: “What are its most important attributes or characteristics? “W
hat specific person, place, thing, or event described?
CHRONOLOGICAL SPATIAL/ DESCRIPTIVE
11. Example 1:
“The Olympic symbol consists of five interlocking rings. The
rings are colored black blue, green, red, and yellow.”
CHRONOLOGICAL SPATIAL/ DESCRIPTIVE
12. IMPORTANCE
Also known as Chain of Command or Hierarchical, details are given
in a list, but the author indicates which items in the list are more
important than others, either from the least important to the most
important or from the most to the least important.
Common Signal Words: central, chief, ending with, finally, finishing
with, least, less, major, main, key, lastly, most essential, least/mos
t important, primarily, primary, principal, secondarily, significant,
more, first, next, last, etc.
Answers: “Which point is the most/least important?” “Which elemen
t is crucial?”
13. Example 1:
“There are many reasons to oppose the death penalty, but the
most important is that it does not deter violent crime.”
IMPORTANCE
14. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
Compare and Contrast Tells how two things are similar and different.
Comparison means:
what things have in common
how items or concepts are alike
the similarities between elements or ideas
Contrast means:
the differences between items or concepts
how things are not alike
distinctions between elements or ideas
15. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
Common Signal Words:
Contrast: although, as opposed to, but, despite, differs from, even
though, however, instead, nevertheless, etc.
Comparison: also, as well as, both, correspondingly, compared to, in comparison, in the
same way, just as, like,
16. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
Example 1:
“Mary, like her sister, has brown hair. However, the two differ when it
comes to eye color.”
Example 1:
17. CAUSE AND EFFECT
Describes or discusses an event/action that is caused by another event/
action. There may be a single cause and effect or several causes with
several effects.
Don’t confuse with chronological.
Won’t have a beginning, middle, and end.
Time won’t progress much.
Common Signal Words:
Causes: because, causes, creates, due to, for this reason, etc.
Effects: as a result, consequently, hence, in effect, resulting, since, therefore, etc.
Answers: “Why did this happen?” “What were the results of a particular event?”
18. CAUSE AND EFFECT
Example 1:
“Public schools should require students to wear uniforms because they
save parents money, deemphasize fashion, and create school spirit.”
“The large movement of people from rural to urban areas has major
effects on a city’s ability to provide housing, employment, and adequa
te sanitation services.”
Example 2:
19. CLASSIFICATION
Also called Division or Categorization, this pattern divides a topic into
parts or groups and separately discusses each.
Common Signal Words:
categories, classified as, classes, classifications, comprises, composed
of, different stages of, divisions, elements, etc.
Answers: “How do the parts work with the whole?” “What characteristi
cs classify the concept or subject?”
20. Example 1:
“A first date can end up being categorized as successful, a clingy, a
boastful or awkward.”
Example 2:
CLASSIFICATION
21. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
The text presents a significant problem and explains it in detail. Then, a
possible solution is suggested. Sometimes, only the problem is presen
ted because there is no solution.
• Don’t confuse with cause and effect.
• It is presented as a PROBLEM.
Common Signal Words:
answer, challenge, need, difficulty, dilemma, enigma, improve, indicate,
issue, plan a need, problem, etc.
Answers: “What is the problem?” “What is a possible solution?”
22. Example 1:
“Since pollution has a detrimental impact on modern living
standards, a key solution is increased recycling of waste products.”
Example 2:
PROBLEM AND SOLUTION