1. Patterns of Organization
THE LISTING PATTERN
> facts, details, examples listed in sentences
after main idea
> sometimes listed in order of importance
> most often no specific order required
WHAT
HOW
The government of Rhode Island was based on four
principles. First, all people were equal. Second, the
government received its power from the people. Third,
the government was not to interfere with freedom of
conscience. Fourth, the government’s main job was to
protect and insure the rights of the citizens. These four
principles formed the basis of the government of Rhode
Island.

2. Listing Pattern Signal Words
EXAMPLE 2
WHAT
HOW
The government of Rhode Island was based on four
principles. One was that all people were equal. Another
was that the government received its power from the
people. Still another was that the government was not
to interfere with freedom of conscience. Finally, the
government’s main job was to protect and insure the
rights of the citizens. These four principles formed the
Basis of the government of Rhode Island.
Listing Pattern Signal Words
and
too
also
one
another
some others
still others
furthermore
first, second, etc.
finally
several
various
many
numerous

3. All people equal
Government received
power from people
Principles on which
the Government of
Rhode Island was based
Gov’s main job-
protect / insure
rights of citizens
No gov. interference
with freedom of
conscience

4. THE SEQUENCE PATTERN events, steps in processes, etc.
specific order required:
chronological
sequential
spatial, etc.
WHAT
HOW
The colonists’ war for independence was marked by four
major events. First, the battle of Lexington and Concord
occurred when the British clashed with the colonists on
April 19, Second, The British drove the Americans
From their positions at Bunker Hill on June 17, Third,
General Washington gained a victory at Princeton on Jan-
ary 3, Fourth, on October 19, 1781, the British surren-
dered in the war’s last major battle. These four major
events were deciding factors in the colonists’ war for ind.

5. SIGNAL WORDS OF SEQUENCE PATTERN before how when subsequently
ultimately
immediately
previously
next
meanwhile
after
after that
formerly
last
initially
presently
first, second,etc.
later
finally
then
4 Major Events in Colonists War for Independence
April 19,1775
Clash at Lexington and Concord
American victory at Bunker Hill
June 17, 1775
Jan. 3, 1777
Washington’s victory at Princeton
British surrender at Yorktown
Oct. 19, 1781

6. THE COMPARE / CONTRAST PATTERN
> similarities / differences
> only differences
> two or more persons, places, things
WHAT
During the War for Independence, the British and
American armies were very different. The British army was
composed of professional soldiers, while the American
army was made up of civilians who knew little about mili-
tary strategy and were untrained for warfare. Although the
British were skilled soldiers, the colonists had one advan-
tage- they were more familiar with the terrain than their
enemy. The English used cash and credit to outfit their
army with uniforms, arms, and ammunition, but the American
troops usually supplied their own arms and often wore only
the clothing of the day, because there was no official govern-
ment with tax or money or credit. All of these facts demon-
strate how different the British and American armies were
when the fought in the War for Independence.

7. SIGNAL WORDS ( C / C ) COMPARE CONTRAST as similarly at the same time
like
as well as
in comparison
both
all
by the same token
furthermore
but
on the other hand
in spite of
conversely
despite
however
nonetheless
on the contrary
rather
nevertheless
notwithstanding
though
yet
regardless
whereas
although
in contrast
unlike
for all that
even though

8. Differences between British and American armies
BRITISH AMERICAN
professional soldiers civilians - no strategy
untrained for warfare
skilled but on foreign unskilled but familiar
soil with terrain
Official Government: No Official Government:
cash, credit = uniforms, own arms
arms, ammunition wore clothing of day

9. BRITISH ARMY AMERICAN ARMY
Quality of Military
Location of Battles
Ability to Finance
War Effort

10. THE CAUSE / EFFECT PATTERN
WHAT happened? (effect)
WHY did it happen? (cause)
Why
In order to refill the treasury depleted by its many wars,
What
the English Parliament passed the Stamp Act in It
required colonists to buy stamps to be placed on legal
papers, diplomas and newspapers. The angry colonists,
already burdened heavily, protested, since they believed
that they were being taxed without being represented.
As a result, the Stamp Act was repealed in 1776.
WHY (did it happen)
WHAT (happened)

11. SIGNAL WORDS - CAUSE / EFFECT PATTERN
reason outcome
due to result
on account of as a result
leads to therefore
led to *thus
since consequently
because *hence
for this reason
finally
CAUSES
EFFECTS
war debts - drain on Stamp act
treasury
Colonists’ protests repeal of Stamp Act
“taxation without
representation”

12. LISTING PATTERN
SS What were the main points of Washington’s
farewell address?
Sci Name and explain the functions of the skeleton.
ILA Name and discuss three character traits
exhibited by Richard in the story “Hunger”.
Math Name four polygons and describe each.
Culture Name and describe four famous landmarks
of Paris.
Health Name and explain at least three ways
alcohol abuse destroys the body.
CONTENT QUESTIONS

13. SEQUENCE PATTERN:
SS How does a bill become a law?
SCI Explain how the respiratory system works.
LA Summarize the plot of the story “Hunger”.
Math Explain the steps necessary to solve the
equation 2x + 4 = 12.
Culture What were the high points of Charles
de Gaul’s life?
Health How does a fetus change each trimester?
CONTENT QUESTIONS

14. COMPARE / CONTRAST PATTERN:
SS Contrast the Federalists and the Democratic Republicans.
SCI Compare the amoeba, paramecium, euglena.
LA Compare Richard’s and Margot’s reactions to the abuse they experienced at the hands of their parents.
Math Compare the associative and distributive properties.
Culture Compare the average day of a student in France to that of an American student.
Health Compare the precautions taken today to protect the blood supply with those taken twenty years ago.
CONTENT QUESTIONS

15. CAUSE AND EFFECT PATTERN:
SS What is gerrymandering? What are some frequent results of this practice?
SCI What are the effects of hard water in a home?
LA How did Mr. Wright’s abandoning his family affect Richard’s life?
Math Why is the answer to this problem incorrect?
2x + 7 = 3x + 1
2x + 8 = 3x
-2x x
8 = x
CONTENT QUESTIONS
Culture How does the diet of the French people result
in such a small percentage of obese citizens?
Health What is the cause of herpes? What effects
does it have on the lives of those who have it?

16. STEP 1 Read the question then underline key words.
STEPS TO ANSWER AN “ESSAY” QUESTION
STEP 1 Read the question then underline key words.
WHAT HOW
STEP 2 Decide on the pattern of organization you
must follow: listing, sequence, compare/
contrast, cause / effect
STEP 3 Use the words in the question to create a
topic sentence. WHAT HOW
STEP 4 Create an appropriate organizer and fill it
with facts, ideas, examples, etc.
STEP 5 Put facts, ideas, examples into sentence
combining when possible.
(Use signal words of pattern)

17. STEP 6 Create an ending sentence by restating the
topic sentence is some way.
These are the facts, ideas, etc.
For these reasons
Because of the facts mentioned above,
it is obvious that…

18. EXAMPLE: Name and explain the functions of the skeleton.
HOW
WHAT
S Name and explain the functions of the skeleton.
LISTING PATTERN (one, another, also, finally,etc)
S 2
S 3
There are four functions of the skeleton.
The skeleton has several functions.
S 4
Function
Explanation
Shape supports soft stuff /stands up/ blob
Muscle Attac. gives body ability to move
Makes blood marrow, red blood cells, oxygen
Protection vital organs- heart, lungs, brain,
spinal cord

19. S 5 One function is that the skeleton gives the body shape
because without it we would be blobs. Another
is that the bones provide a place for muscles to
attach so that they can allow our bodies to move.
Still another function is that red blood cells are made
in the marrow of the bones. These cells carry oxygen
to all parts of the body. Also, the bones protect the
vital organs of the body: the rib cage protects the
heart and lungs; the skull protects the brain; and the
spinal column protects the spinal cord.
S 6 These are the important functions the skeleton performs
in the human body.

20. Simple interrogative sentence.
Simple imperative sentence.
Multi-part question (some combination
of above or compound sentences.)
Response to statement or quote.
VARY QUESTION FORMAT

21. 1. What are the components of the blood?
2. Name the components of the blood.
What are the components of the blood?
Which do you think are the most impor-
tant? Why?
VARY QUESTION FORMAT
More than 500 years ago the Incas of
South America transfused blood through
a tube from a healthy person to an
injured one. Although they knew nothing
about blood, few if any people died.
When western European doctors tried
this in the 1600s, many died. How might
the different outcomes be explained?

22. RESPONDING TO PROMPTS
Read prompt and underline key words.
Decide what type of writing is required.
Descriptive
(Essay) Listing Compare / Contrast Sequence
Narrative Cause /
Persuasive Effect
3. Recall elements of the type.
Create and fill in appropriate organizer.
(signal words?)
Put organizer ideas into sentences. Combine when possible.
6. Write concluding sentence appropriate to type.

23. SCENARIOS
Some say Franklin D. Roosevelt was the best president
in the history of this country. Respond._____________
Write several paragraphs telling about the most
embarrassing day of your life.____________________
Take a pro or con position on the topic of stem cell
research in a letter to the editor of your city’s most
widely read newspaper._______________________
At the age of 18 you will have the right to vote. Which
political party will you join? Why?________________
If, as a student of the Spanish language, you were
given a choice of Spanish cities to visit, which would
you choose? Why?_____________________

24. Name your favorite kind of music
Name your favorite kind of music. Tell a friend who doesn’t share your opinion why your favorite is preferable to his / hers._______________________
7. What advice would you give a teenager who is looking for a plan to stay physically and mentally fit over the course of his life?____________________
8. The saying “Honesty is the best policy” has long been held by most Americans as true. Do you agree? Why or why not?_____________________
READ
PLAN
WRITE
REVISE / EDIT (if time permits)

25. SCENARIOS A local animal rights organization does
not like the city’s dog leash ordinance.
The organization coordinates a protest
march, making sure their permits are in
order. The day of the march, the leader
is jailed. Is the arrest legal? Explain.
SCENARIOS
10. A man is caught stealing a loaf of bread
from a local store. He is arrested and
convicted of a crime. The judge gives
him 30 days in jail and ordered that his
right hand be cut off. The sentence was
struck down. Why?

26. SCENARIOS A man’s religion expresses a belief
in multiple marriage. As an expression
of that religion, the man takes four
wives. The state he lives in arrested him
on a charge of polygamy. Doesn’t he
have the right to practice his religion?
Is his arrest legal? Explain.
SCENARIOS
Assignment:
Choose an amendment in the Bill of Rights.
Write an original scenario to pose to your
classmates.

27. SAT Essay Sample Time has a doomsday book, on whose pages
he is continually recording illustrious names.
But as often as a new name is written there,
an old one disappears. Only a few stand in
illuminated characters never to be effaced.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
SAT Essay Sample

28. SAT Essay Sample ASSIGNMENT Are there some heroes who will be remem-
bered forever? Or are all heroes doomed
to be forgotten one day? Plan your response,
then write an essay to explain your views on
this issue. Be sure to support your position
with specific points and examples.
(You may use personal examples
or examples from your reading,
observations, or knowledge of
subjects such as history, literature,
science.)
SAT Essay Sample

29. WHAT HOW Remembered? Forgotten? heroes Type of Writing
Elements of Type
Opinion Essay
Thesis statement
Introductory Para.
Reasons 1,2,3
Supports:
facts, examples
Concluding Para.
Satisfactory Ending
Organizer
Heroes
Reason R/F
Facts, Ex.,etc.
Chart

30. Introductory Paragraph Basic Premise Thesis Statement
and all reasons
Reason 1
Examples
Facts
Observations
Reason 2
Examples
Facts
Observations

31. Reason 3
Examples
Facts
Observations
Concluding Paragraph - Restatement of Introductory
Paragraph
Satisfactory Ending