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PATTERNS
OF ORGANIZATION There are several ways to
organize your writing. It is important to organize the writing in an order that
is interesting, but it must be logical. It has to make sense to the reader. Everything
must fit together, much like the pieces of a puzzle. The examples that follow
only serve as short models of each pattern.
Chronological Order
Chronological order is the order in which the events occurred, from first to last.
This is the easiest pattern to write and to follow.
Example:
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
forgot to rinse out the bath oil. Then she spilled orange juice on the outfit
she had spent hours putting together for school pictures. When she changed, she
messed up the French braid her mother had put in her hair. As she walked out the
door, she dropped all of her school books and her math homework flew away. Once
she made it to the car she thought everything would be all right. She was wrong;
her father didn't look before he backed out of the driveway and ran into the neighbor’s
truck. Lynda’s side of the car was damaged the most, and she ended up with a broken
arm. That night, she cried herself to sleep.
Cause and Effect Order
In
this type of order, the cause (or reason) is usually discussed first. This then
leads to a discussion of the effect (or result.)
Example:
Because toys
have become electronic devices, some children today are unable to entertain themselves.
Gone are the days when children invented their own adventures and used sticks
as swords. cookie sheets as armor, and refrigerator box as a fortress to defend.
The electronic age has delivered children all sorts of gadgets and gizmos that
are supposed to be realistic. Some toys even have buttons to push so prerecorded
messages can be played to begin scripted adventures that require no imagination.
No imagination? No wonder some children today have short attention spans.
Problem to Solution Order
In this type of order, the problem is presented
first. Details about the problem, including its cause, follows. Next, a suggested
solution will be discussed, including details that support the solution.
Example:
Several students receive poor grades on writing assignments, not because they
lack the ability to communicate, but because they can not seem to manage their
time when it comes to a large project. They do not know where to begin, and therefore
put things off until the last minute. To solve this problem, students need to
develop a timeline for completing the project. If they divide the assignment into
manageable “chunks” or parts and then set a schedule for completing each part,
they will be able to finish the entire project before the deadline. Without the
pressure of not knowing where to begin, the students will be able to focus on
the assignment and communicate their ideas effectively.
Spatial Order
This type of organization takes the reader from one spotto the next,
as if the reader were looking at something. It is very descriptive.
Example:
I couldn’t believe my eyes when we finally emerged from the storm shelter.
Where the barn once stood there was now only a few tufts of hay. The path that
led to the house was scattered with branches and debris. The house! The entire
roof was gone. The north wall was caved in and we could see right into the house.
Well, what was left of it. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I noticed that most
of our belongings had been sucked up into the great vacuum and scattered across
the countryside. We heard a loud cracking and moaning as the west wall gave way
and collapsed, sending up a wave of dust. And yet, there in the middle of the
front yard was mother’s prized rose bush. It swayed in the breeze as if nothing
had happened. Seeing it made me realize how lucky we were to be alive. We stood
there in dismay, our arms locked around one another.
Climactic Order
This type of organization takes the reader from the least important idea
to the most important idea. The ideas build in importance, holding the reader's
attention. The best is saved for the last.
Example:
My encounter with
nature became a learning experience for me. I learned to come prepared for anything.
Our canoe overturning was proof that anything could happen. All of our supplies
were gone. I also learned that although nature is beautiful, she can also be deadly.
If it hadn’t been for the cave we discovered in the moonlight, the hail storm
surely would have killed us. Most of all, I learned to trust my mother. I never
thought I would say this, but she does know a thing or two. She kept her wits
about her and kept me calm as well. Even in the middle of nowhere without any
supplies, she still managed to take care of me. Her grandfather had taught her
how to survive in the wild, and she hadn’t forgotten a thing.
Reverse Climactic
Order
In this type of organization, the most important idea is stated
first and the least important idea is stated last. This method is used most often
in newspaper articles. This way if the reader does not finish the article he/she
will still know the most important details. This method grabs the reader's attention
in the beginning, but it does not work very will in holding the reader's attention
clear to the end.
Example:
A plan to improve the city’s park was approved
Monday night by the city council. The plan involves adding landscaping to the
north end, rebuilding the bridge over the lake, and updating the playground equipment.
Funds for the project have been donated by local businesses who hope that improving
the park will bring more people to the downtown area which will in turn bring
more customers. The next order of business is for the city council to open the
bidding process for the various improvements.
Process Order
In
this type of order, a sequence of actions is described. It instructs the reader
on how to do something. It is basically a set of directions. Owner's manuals and
cookbooks are organized in this pattern.
Example:
The first step in redesigning
your closet is take everything out and sort through it. Anything you haven’t worn
in over a year should be given to charity. Check garments for wear and tear. Take
care of anything that needs mending. If it is beyond repair, get rid of it. The
second step is to install a closet organizer. Choose one that will hold the different
types of garments in your wardrobe. The third step is to put items in the closet
so that those you wear most often are easy to access. The final step is to stay
organized. Put garments back in their appropriate places so that you will be able
to find them.
Classification Order
In this type of order, the
main idea is broken down into smaller areas or classifications. Each classification
is then discussed.
Example:
There are four basic modes of writing. Each
mode may take different forms, but has a primary purpose. The first is expository
writing, which has a purpose of explaining something or giving directions. Providing
directions to your house is an example. The second mode is persuasive writing,
which has a purpose of influencing the reader’s way of thinking. An advertisement
is a an example of persuasive writing. The third mode is descriptive writing,
which has a purpose of providing vivid details so that the reader can picture
what is being presented. An essay that depicts the glorious Grand Canyon is an
example. The fourth mode is narrative writing, which has a purpose of presenting
an experience in the form of a story. A personal account of a vacation is an example
of narrative writing.
Comparison/Contrast Order (block form)
In
this pattern of organization one item is discussed in detail before the next item
is mentioned. In other words, each item gets its own "block" of space within the
writing.
Example:
As a child, I thought my parents were ignorant and out
of touch with reality. They couldn’t possible understand anything I thought or
felt. When they weren’t annoying me with their ridiculous lectures, or grounding
me for minor infractions of the rules, they were embarrassing me in public. As
a parent, I find it frustrating that my children think I have no clue about their
lives, even though I understand perfectly well what they are thinking or feeling.
I find myself giving my children the same lectures I once thought were ridiculous.
My children can not seem to follow the rules their father and I have set, and
they are continuously embarrassing me in public. My, how things have changed.
Comparison/Contrast Order (point by point)
This type of
order is again based on comparison (the similarities) and contrast (the differences.)
Instead of being divided into parts, however, both sides of each point are discussed
together.
Example:
Although they are sisters, Jennifer and Jessica are
complete opposites. Jennifer enjoys playing sports, while Jessica would rather
watch. Jennifer has no interest in playing a musical instrument, while Jessica
is the first chair violinist. Jennifer listens to new age music, while Jessica
prefers country. Jennifer’s favorite subject is English, and Jessica’s favorite
is math. Jennifer likes to curl up in a chair on a rainy day and read a good book
, but Jessica would rather sleep all day. No one would ever guess that they are
actually twins.
Have
students write sentences using these cues: Cues
that indicate more Information:
Besides
Furthermore
In addition
Indeed
In fact
Moreover
Second...Third...,
etc.
Cues that indicate an Example:
For
example
For instance
In particular
Particularly
Specifically
To
demonstrate
To illustrate
Cues that indicate
a Cause or Reason:
As
Because
Because of
Due to
For
For the reason that
Since
Cues that
a Result or an Effect:
Accordingly
Finally
Consequently
Hence
So
Therefore
Thus
Cues
that a Purpose or Reason why:
For fear that
In the hope
that
In order to
So
So that
With this in mind
POETRY
FORMS UP and
DOWN POEM
HOMEWORK
Horrible stuff,
cOmpletely
disgusting, in fact!
Makes
mE
Want to
gO and find a
"Real job"...
nah, I don't thinK so!!
Persona-Poem
Line 1: first name/nickname
of the person in the poem
Line 2: 4 adjectives which describe the person
Line 3: X of Y formula, describing an important relationship to the person...son
of mike
Line 4: 3 things he loves
Line 5: 3 things that scare him
Line 6: 3 things he wants to see
Line 7: resident of...+ place/time/concept
Line 8: last name of the person in the poem
A
Starter at the End Give students the
ending and have them write what happened before. 1.
From then on they talked on the phone every day.
2. Who could ever think that
a day could start out so wrong and end up as so right?
3.
I was so happy and relieved that I listened to Mom and didn't resist. What a surprise!
4.
It's funny how wonderful things happen when you least expect them!
5. It was
worth it all!
6. I really hate when he says "I told you so!"
7.
Will I ever Learn?
8. She had always been my friend until that day.
9. I
had no choice. What would you have done?
10. I can't believe I was so easily
fooled.
11. What a weird way to spend my birthday.
12. He yelled STOP!
13.
It's a funny world!
14. It is a time I will always remember.
15. I am sure
happy to be home.
16. I never thought I'd say that.
17. It makes me sad
when I think about it.
18. It was the best lesson I ever had.
19. I never
had more fun!
20. The
thought scares me still. Give
everyone the same ending. Share stories. Decide on the one that best fit the ending.
VARIATION:
Have
students write 6 one sentence endings on strips of paper. Put the strips in a
container. Have students draw the ending to use for their story.
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