Chapter 5:

Patterns of
Organization
Bridging the Gap, 8/e
Brenda Smith

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

In this Chapter You Will Learn

about:
Transitional words that signal

organizational patterns
Different patterns of organization used in
textbooks
Combinations of organizational patterns

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

What Is a Pattern of Organization?

A pattern of organization is the
presentation of a plan, format, or
structure for the message
Serves as blueprint
Signals how facts and ideas will be
presented
2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Finding Patterns of Organization

in Textbooks

Identify the main idea

Be alert to the signal words
Anticipate the overall pattern of

organization
Place the major supporting details into
the outline
2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Transitional Words

Transition words signal

Levels of importance
Connections
Directions of thoughts

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Signal Words Used

as Transitions
Addition: in addition, furthermore, moreover
Examples: for example, for instance, to illustrate,

such as
Time: first, secondly, finally, last, afterward
Comparison: similarly, likewise, in the same
manner
Contrast: however, but, nevertheless, whereas,
on the contrary, conversely, in contrast
Cause and effect: thus, consequently, therefore,
as a result

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Simple Listing
Items are randomly listed in a series of supporting

facts or details
Supporting elements are of equal value
The order in which they are presented is of no
importance
Changing the order of the items does not change the
meaning of the paragraph
Examples of transitional words used for this pattern
are in addition, also, another, several, for example, a
number of

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Definition

Concept is defined first

Examples and restatements expand the

concept
Defined term is usually signaled by italicized
or boldfaced type

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Description

Similar to listing
Characteristics are similar to a definition

or a simple list of details

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Time Order or Sequence

Items are listed:
In the order in which they occurred
(Ex: time order)
In a specifically planned order in which they
must develop (Ex: narrative writing, tells a
story)
Examples of transition words used are first,
second, third, after, before, when, until, at last,
next, later
2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Contrast

Items are presented according to

differences between or among them

Examples of transition words are
different, in contrast, on the other hand,
but, however, bigger than

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Comparison
Items are presented according

to similarities between or
among them
Examples of transition words
are similar, in the same way, in
comparison
2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Comparison and Contrast

Combines both comparisons

and contrasts together into a

single paragraph

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Cause and Effect

An element is shown as producing another

element
--One is the cause or the happening
--The other is the particular result or
effect produced by the cause
Examples of transition words are for this
reason, consequently, because

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Classification
Used to simplify a complex topic
Information is divided into a certain number of

groups or categories
The divisions are named
The parts are explained
Examples of transition words are two divisions, three
groups, four elements, five classes, six levels, seven
categories

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Addition
Provides more information to

something already explained

Example of transition words are
furthermore, again, also, further,
moreover, besides, likewise

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Summary

Comes at the end of an article or chapter

Condenses the main idea into a short

concluding statement
Examples of transition words are in
conclusion, briefly, to sum up, in short, in a
nutshell

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Location or Spatial Order

Identifies the whereabouts of a place or

an object
Examples of transition words are north,
next to, near, below, close by, within,
around
2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Generalization and Example

A general statement or conclusion is

supported with specific examples

Examples of transition words are to
restate that, that is, for example, to
illustrate, for instance

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as

Mixed Organizational Patterns

A long article may have one
general overall pattern and contain
individual paragraphs that follow
other patterns

2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as