Chapter 5: Patterns of Organization

1. Chapter 5: Patterns of Organization PowerPoint by JoAnn Yaworski and Mimi Markus Bridging the Gap, 8/eBrenda Smith © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

2. 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 Pearson Longman

3. 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 Pearson Longman

4. 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 Pearson Longman

5. Transitional Words Transition words signal • Levels of importance • Connections • Directions of thoughts © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

6. 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 Pearson Longman

7. 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 Pearson Longman

8. 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 Pearson Longman

9. Description • Similar to listing • Characteristics are similar to a definition or a simple list of details © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

10. 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 Pearson Longman

11. 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 Pearson Longman

12. 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 Pearson Longman

13. Comparison and Contrast • Combines both comparisons and contrasts together into a single paragraph © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman

14. 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 Pearson Longman

15. 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 Pearson Longman

16. 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 Pearson Longman

17. 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 Pearson Longman

18. 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 Pearson Longman

19. 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 Pearson Longman

20. 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 Pearson Longman

21. Visit the Longman English Pages • http://www.ablongman.com/englishpages Take a Road Trip to the Maine Woods, the St. Louis Arch, and Ellis Island! Be sure to visit the Main Idea, Supporting Details, and Patterns of Organization Modules in your Reading Road Trip CD-ROM for multimedia tutorials, exercises and tests. © 2005 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Longman