1. ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS
“Good order is the foundation of all things.”
by Edmund Burke
Reading Across the Disciplines, 5/e
Kathleen McWhorter
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2. Organizational Patterns
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3. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1: Recognize definition
What is the definition pattern?
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4. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1: Recognize definition
To visualize the definition pattern, see diagram below.
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5. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1: Recognize definition
TRANSITIONS FOR THE DEFINITION PATTERN
Genetics is …
bureaucracy means…
patronage refers to …
aggression can be defined as …
deficit is another term that…
balance of power also means…
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6. Which of the following is the best meaning of the definition pattern?
A. It shows similarities and differences.
B. It presents a sequence of events.
C. It introduces new terminology and their
meanings.
D. It groups items into different groups or
categories.
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7. Which of the following is the best meaning of the definition pattern?
A. It shows similarities and differences.
B. It presents a sequence of events.
C. It introduces new terminology and their
meanings.
D. It groups items into different groups or
categories.
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8. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 2: Recognize classification
What is the classification pattern?
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The Classification Pattern divides a broad topic into major categories. With this pattern, think of division, groups or classes. This pattern is widely used in many academic subjects. Examples of this pattern are listed below:
Movies: comedy, horror, mystery
Motives: achievement, power, affiliation, competency
Plants: leaves, stem, roots

9. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 2: Recognize Classification
You can visualize the classification pattern as
shown below.
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10. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 2: Recognize classification
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11. A. It divides a broad topic into its major categories.
Which of the following is a true statement about the classification pattern?
A. It divides a broad topic into its major categories.
B. It presents information in a particular sequence
or order.
C. It expresses a relationship between two or more
actions, events, or occurrences that are
connected in time.
D. Its ideas are organized in a pattern that expresses order.
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12. A. It divides a broad topic into its major categories.
Which of the following is a true statement about the classification pattern?
A. It divides a broad topic into its major categories.
B. It presents information in a particular sequence
or order.
C. It expresses a relationship between two or more
actions, events, or occurrences that are
connected in time.
D. Its ideas are organized in a pattern that expresses order.
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13. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3: Recognize order or sequence
What is the order or sequence pattern?
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The Order or Sequence Pattern presents information in a particular sequence or order. There are several types of order: chronology, process, order of importance, and spatial order.

14. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3: Recognize order or sequence
You can visualize the chronological order
pattern as follows:
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15. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3: Recognize order or sequence
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16. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3: Recognize order or sequence
Process is the pattern that focuses on procedures, steps, or stages. Transitional words and phrases often used in conjunction with this pattern are similar to those used for chronological order.
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17. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3: Recognize order or sequence
You can visualize the process pattern as follows:
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18. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3: Recognize order or sequence
Order of Importance–Ideas are organized in a pattern that expresses order of priority or preference. Ideas are arranged in one of two ways: from most to least important, or from least to most important.
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19. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3: Recognize order or sequence
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20. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3: Recognize order or sequence
Spatial Order–Information is organized according to its
Physical location, or position or order in space, exhibits
a pattern that is known as spatial order.
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21. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 3: Recognize order or sequence
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22. Which of the following is not one of the order or sequence pattern?
A. chronology
B. spatial order
C. order of importance
D. generalization
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23. Which of the following is not one of the order or sequence pattern?
A. chronology
B. spatial order
C. order of importance
D. generalization
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24. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 4: Recognize cause and effect
What is the cause-and-effect pattern?
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The Cause-and-effect Pattern expresses a relationship between two or more actions, events, or occurrences that are connected in time. The relationship differs, however, from chronological order in that one event leads to another by causing it.
Information that is organized in terms of the cause-and-effect pattern may:
explain causes, sources, reasons, motives, and actions
explain the effect, result, or consequences of a particular action.
The cause-and-effect pattern is widely used in many academic disciplines, such as the sciences, technologies, and social sciences. The disciplines ask the question “Why?” Many statements expressing cause-and-effect relationships appear in direct order, with the cause stated first, and the effect following. For example “When demand for a product increases (cause) prices rise (effect). However, reverse order is sometimes used. For example, “Prices rise (effect) when a product’s demand increases (cause).

25. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 4: Recognize cause and effect
You can visualize the cause and effect pattern as follows:
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26. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 4: Recognize cause and effect
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27. A. leads to B. consequently C. in addition D. results in
Which of the following is not a transition for the cause- and-effect pattern?
A. leads to
B. consequently
C. in addition
D. results in
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28. A. leads to B. consequently C. In addition D. results in
Which of the following is not a transition for the cause- and-effect pattern?
A. leads to
B. consequently
C. In addition
D. results in
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29. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 5: Recognize compare and contrast
What is the compare and contrast pattern?
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The comparison organizational pattern is used to emphasize or discuss similarities between or among ideas, theories, concepts, or events, whereas the contrast pattern emphasizes differences. When a speaker or writer is concerned with both similarities and differences, a combination pattern is used. This pattern is commonly used in the social sciences.
An Example:
A profess of American Literature is comparing the work of two American poets, Walt Whitman and Robert Frost. Each of the following organizations is possible.
Compare and then contrast the two: First, discuss how Frost’s poetry and Whitman’s
poetry are similar and then discuss how they are different.
Discuss the author: Discuss the characteristics of Whitman’s poetry, then discuss the
characteristics of Frost’s poetry, and then summarize their similarities and differences.
Discuss by characteristics: For example, first discuss the two poets’ use of metaphor,
next discuss their use of rhyme, and then discuss their common themes.

30. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 5: Recognize compare and contrast
You can visualize the compare and contrast pattern
as follows:
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31. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 5: Recognize compare and contrast
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32. B. because, consequently, as a result C. similar, different, unlike
Which of the following is a transition for the compare and contrast pattern?
A. first, second, third
B. because, consequently, as a result
C. similar, different, unlike
D. in fact, in other words
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33. Which of the following is a transition for the compare and contrast pattern?
A. first, second, third B. because, consequently, as a result C. similar, different, unlike D. in fact, in other words
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34. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 6: Listing/enumeration
What is the listing/enumeration pattern?
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The listing or enumeration pattern gives information on a topic by stating a series of items one after the other. The list pattern may provide a list of items such as: factors that influence light emission, characteristics of a particular poet, a description of an atom, or a list of characteristics that define poverty. Other text may be presented in the form of facts, statistics, or examples.
This pattern is widely used in college textbooks in most academic disciplines. Students should note that the listing/enumeration pattern differs from the order/sequence pattern in that the items presented do not have to be in a particular order. Whereas, with the order/sequence pattern, items or events will need to be listed in a particular order.

35. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 6: Listing/enumeration
You can visualize the listing/enumeration pattern as
follows:
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36. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 6: Listing/enumeration
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37. Which of the following is the best definition of the listing/enumeration pattern?
A. The writer makes a statement of fact, then proceeds to clarify or explain that statement. B. The writer gives bits of information on a topic by stating them one after the other in no particular order. C. The writer often introduces an idea or makes a statement and then supply additional information about that idea or statement. D. The writer presents a condensed statement that provides the key points of longer pieces of text.
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38. Which of the following is the best definition of the listing/enumeration pattern?
A. The writer makes a statement of fact, then proceeds to clarify or explain that statement. B. The writer gives bits of information on a topic by stating them one after the other in no particular order. C. The writer often introduces an idea or makes a statement and then supply additional information about that idea or statement. D. The writer presents a condensed statement that provides the key points of longer pieces of text.
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39. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 7: Mixed patterns
What are mixed patterns?
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Organizational patterns are often combined. In describing a process, a writer may also give reasons why each step must be followed in the prescribed order. These patterns are called Mixed Patterns. Mixed patterns are typically found in longer selections.

40. A. Compare and contrast factors that caused
Which of the following essay questions would be developed using a mixed pattern?
A. Compare and contrast factors that caused
the United States’ involvement in the
Revolutionary War and the Civil War.
B. List seven steps for effective public speaking.
C. Define Stockholm Syndrome.
D. Discuss the three types of prisons.
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41. A. Compare and contrast factors that caused
Which of the following essay questions would be developed using a mixed pattern?
A. Compare and contrast factors that caused
the United States’ involvement in the
Revolutionary and the Civil War.
B. List seven steps for effective public speaking.
C. Define Stockholm Syndrome.
D. Discuss the three types of prisons.
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42. LEARNING OBJECTIVE 8: Other patterns of organization
What are other patterns of organization?
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The patterns presented earlier are the most common, however, writers do not limit themselves to these six patterns. In academic writing, you may also find statement and clarification, summary,
generalization and example, and addition.
Statement and Clarification – Many writers make a statement of fact and then proceed to clarify or explain that statement.
Summary is a condensed statement that provides the key points of a larger idea or piece of writing.
Generalization and Example – Examples are one of the best ways to explain something that is unfamiliar or unknown. Examples are specific instances or situations that illustrate a concept or idea. Other writers make a general statement, or generalization, and then explain it by giving examples to make its meaning clear.
Addition –Writers introduce an idea or make a statement and then supply additional information about that idea or statement.

43. C. statement and clarification D. addition
Which of the following makes a statement of fact and then proceeds to explain it?
A. definition
B. chronology
C. statement and clarification
D. addition
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44. A. definition B. chronology C. statement and clarification D. addition
Which of the following makes a statement of fact and then proceeds to explain it?
A. definition B. chronology C. statement and clarification D. addition
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45. Summary list of patterns and transitions
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46. Summary list of patterns and transitions
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47. Summary list of patterns and transitions
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48. Fill in the blank with the correct pattern of organization from the box below.
effect definition cause contrast mixed pattern
statement/ comparison classification summary enumeration
clarification addition summary example chronological
list spatial order
_______is the pattern of organization that shows
the writer is giving an instance of a general concept
to illustrate a point.
_______gives the meaning of new words, concepts,
or terminology.
The ________pattern presents details in no
particular order, such as characteristics, features,
parts or categories.
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49. Fill in the blank with the correct pattern of organization.
________ shows how two or more ideas are alike or similar.
________ shows how two or more ideas are unlike or
dissimilar.
The words in addition, first, second, or third show the
________ pattern.
A (n)________ pattern tells or gives a reason why something
happened.
A(n) ________ pattern states a result or outcome.
The words, also and furthermore, show the _________
pattern.
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50. Fill in the blank with the correct pattern of organization.
_________are organizational patterns that are combined
to express the writer’s ideas or concepts.
_________ is the pattern in which the writer makes a
statement of fact and then proceeds to clarify or explain it.
A (n)_________ is a condensed statement that provides the
key points of a larger idea or piece of writing.
_________ describes physical location or position in space.
_________ divides a topic into parts based on shared
characteristics.
The pattern that describes events, processes, or procedures is
called __________.
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51. Fill in the blank with the correct pattern of organization from the box below.
effect definition cause contrast mixed pattern
statement/ comparison classification summary enumeration
clarification addition summary example chronological
list
spatial order
Example is the pattern of organization that shows
the writer is giving an instance of a general concept
to illustrate a point.
Definition gives the meaning of new words, concepts
or terminology.
The list pattern presents details in no particular
order, such as characteristics, features, parts or
categories.
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52. Fill in the blank with the correct pattern of organization.
Comparison shows how two or more ideas are alike or similar.
Contrast shows how two or more ideas are unlike or dissimilar.
The words, in addition, first, second, or third, show the
enumeration pattern.
A cause pattern tells or gives a reason why something
happened.
A(n) effect pattern states a result or outcome.
The words, also and furthermore, show the addition
pattern.
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53. Fill in the blank with the correct pattern of organization.
Mixed patterns are organizational patterns that are combined to express the writer’s ideas or concepts.
Statement/clarification is the pattern in which the writer makes a statement of fact and then proceeds to clarify or explain it.
A(n) summary is a condensed statement that provides the key points of a larger idea or piece of writing.
Spatial order describes physical location or position in space.
Classification divides a topic into parts based on shared characteristics.
The pattern that describes events, processes, or procedures is called chronological.
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