Chapter 5: Patterns of Organization

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Chapter 5 Patterns of Organization
Bridging the Gap, 9/eBrenda Smith
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Textbook Organization The Big Picture

• Patterns identify the main idea.
• Signal words can reveal a particular pattern.
• Anticipate the overall pattern of organization.
• Place the major supporting details into the
  outline pattern used by the author.

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What do Transitional Words Do?

• They can signal the levels of importance, a
  connection, or a direction of thought.
• They are sometimes called signal words.
• They show the relationship of ideas.

See the Readers Tip on Patterns of Organization
and Signal Words on page 247.
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Signal Words for Transition

• Addition in addition, furthermore, moreover,
  and, also, another
• Examples for example, for instance, to
  illustrate, such as, including
• Time first, finally, last, afterward, after,
  next, while
• Comparison similarly, likewise, in the same
  manner, just as, like
• Contrast however, but, nevertheless, whereas, on
  the contrary, conversely, in contrast
• Cause and effect thus, consequently, therefore,
  as a result, so, because of, since, accordingly
• p. 236

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Simple Listing

• Items are randomly listed in a series of
  supporting facts or details.
• Supporting elements are of equal value.
• Changing the order of the items does not change
  the meaning of the paragraph.
• Use transitional words such as in addition, also,
  another, several, for example, a number of.
• p. 239

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Definition

• The concept is defined initially.
• Then it is expanded with examples and
  restatements.
• A defined term is usually signaled by italicized
  or boldfaced type.
• p. 240

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Description

• Description is similar to listing.
• The characteristics are similar to a definition.
• It is similar to a simple list of details.

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Time Order, Sequence, or Narration

• 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)

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Contrast

• With Contrast
• Items are presented according to differences
  between them.
• Signal words include
• different
• in contrast
• on the other hand
• but
• however
• bigger than

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Comparison

• Items are presented according to similarities
  among them.
• Signal words include
• similar
• in the same way
• parallels

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Comparison Contrast

• This combines both comparisons and contrasts
  together into a single paragraph.

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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.

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Classification

• This is 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.
• Signals words include two divisions, three
  groups, four elements, five classes, six levels,
  seven categories

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Summary

• A summary comes at the end of an article or
  chapter
• It condenses the main idea into a short
  concluding statement.
• Signal words include
• in conclusion
• briefly
• to sum up
• in short
• in a nutshell.

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Location or Spatial Order

• This identifies the whereabouts of a place or
  object.
• Signal words are
• north
• next to
• near
• below
• close by
• within
• around

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Generalization and Example

• A general statement or conclusion is supported
  with specific examples.
• Signal words include
• to restate that
• that is
• for example
• to illustrate
• for instance

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Mixed Organizational Patterns

• Often articles have an overall pattern with
  individual paragraphs having a different pattern.