This document discusses five common patterns of organization used in writing: list of related ideas, sequence, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, and problem/solution. Each pattern is explained and examples are provided to illustrate how each pattern presents the main idea and supporting details. Signal words that are typically used to indicate each organizational pattern are also listed. Understanding these patterns of organization can help with comprehending and retaining information.

1. PAtterns of organization
Professor: Lcda. Cedeño Audrey

2. The importance of Patterns
Separating supporting
Points from main ideas
The organization of
supporting details
Detecting the patterns
Of organization
Can help with the
Comprehension and
Retention.

3. Five Patterns of Organization
List of related ideas or examples
The writer states the main idea in the
Form of generalization and gives a list
Of details to support that general
statement
For example
In the past few years, scientists have
Found several new fuels to replace
Gasoline for automobiles. One of this
Fuel is methanol, a form of wood alcohol…
Natural gas is another alternative fuel for
Cars.
List of signal words
A few, several, one another,
The main, first, and also,
Too, besides….

4. Patterns of organization
Sequence
The writer explains the main
idea with a series
Of events or steps that follow one
After the other in time order
For example
Franklin D. Roosevelt, was born in
Hyde Park, on January 30,1882,
And began his studies at harvard
In 1903. In 1905, he married
Eleonor Rooselvelt. During their married
They had 6 children.
Signal words
Before, during, after, first, at first, at
That time, meanwhile, while, since,
At last, finally

5. Patterns of Organization
Comparison / contrast
The writer’s main idea is a general
Statement about two things that are
Similar and / or different. Specific details
About similarities and/ or differences
Are given.
For example
Both New York City and Paris
Depend on vast subway lines
To transport their millions of
Commuters. Another likeness
is the terrible noise level trains.
Signal Words for similarity
Also, in the same way, as, like, both,
Same, in common, similar.
Signal Words for difference
Although, however, but, while, rather,
Different form, converserly, more than,
Less than.

6. Cause/ Effect
The write’s main idea
Is that one event or action caused
another event or action
For Example
a. Because Steve forgot his umbrella, he got wet from the rain
(cause) (effect)
Signal Words
Because, for that reason, due to,
Cause, as a result, since,
Consequently, therefore.

7. Problem/ Solution
The writer’s main idea is a
Statement of a problem and
How it was solved
Example
Since pollution has a
detrimental impact on modern living
standards, a key solution is increased
recycling of waste products.
Signal Words
problem, need, difficulty,
dilemma, enigma,
challenge, issue
! answer, propose, suggest,
indicate, solve,
resolve, improve, plan, respond
to a need