2. Organization

Organization is the internal structure, pattern, or design of a writing piece. It gives ideas direction, purpose and momentum, guiding the reader from point to point. Good organization holds a piece of writing together, making it easy to see the big picture (like a puzzle!).

A basic beginning-middle-end structure (lead, expansion, conclusion) A lead/introduction that identifies purpose and gives a sense of direction Uses logical sequencing of ideas that flow from one to the next A conclusion that wraps up the discussion A structure that guides the reader’s thinking, leading to logical conclusions

the internal structure of a paragraph (how sentences/thoughts are organized from one to the next) the structure of paragraphs within a larger piece (how paragraphs connect from one to the next) how the whole composition is organized (from least to strongest argument, compare and contrast, etc.) The format (essay, news article, short story, etc.)

Sequential/chronological/ step-by-step Arranges ideas by time or the order in which they occurred Spatial or geographical Arranges ideas according to their position (here, there) Compare/contrast Cause and effect Problem and solution Pros and cons Order of importance (example: weakest to strongest argument ) Beginning/middle/end Logical Arranges ideas in an order that appeals to common logic

In writing, your goal is to convey information clearly and concisely, if not to convert the reader to your way of thinking. Transitions help you achieve these goals by establishing logical connections between sentences, paragraphs and ideas. In other words, transitions tell readers what to do with the information you present them. Whether single words, quick phrases or full sentences, they function as signs for readers to tell them how to think about, organize, and react to old and new ideas as they read through what you have written.

Cause and effect Showing similarity Showing contrast Drawing conclusion Showing emphasis Making additional points Showing time Showing space Providing examples Showing progression

Paragraphs are the building blocks of papers. The unity and coherence of ideas among sentences is what constitutes a paragraph. Length and appearance do not determine whether a section in a paper is a paragraph. For instance, in some styles of writing, particularly journalistic styles, a paragraph can be just one sentence long. Ultimately, a paragraph is a sentence or group of sentences that support one main idea.

Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast Brought Death into the World, and all our woe, With loss of EDEN, till one greater Man Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat, Sing Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret top Of OREB, or of SINAI, didst inspire That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed, In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth Rose out of CHAOS: Or if SION Hill Delight thee more, and SILOA'S Brook that flow'd Fast by the Oracle of God; I thence Invoke thy aid to my adventrous Song, That with no middle flight intends to soar Above th' AONIAN Mount, while it pursues Things unattempted yet in Prose or Rhime. And chiefly Thou O Spirit, that dost prefer Before all Temples th' upright heart and pure, Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the first Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread Dove-like satst brooding on the vast Abyss And mad'st it pregnant: What in me is dark Illumine, what is low raise and support; That to the highth of this great Argument I may assert th' Eternal Providence, And justifie the wayes of God to men.

Before you can begin to determine what the composition of a particular paragraph will be, you must first decide on a working thesis for your paper. What is the most important idea that you are trying to convey to your reader? The information in each paragraph must be related to that idea. In other words, your paragraphs should remind your reader that there is a recurrent relationship between your thesis and the information in each paragraph. Tree = What grows from your thesis Seed = Thesis

Unified—All of the sentences in a single paragraph should be related to a single controlling idea (often expressed in the topic sentence of the paragraph). Clearly related to the thesis—The sentences should all refer to the central idea, or thesis, of the paper (Rosen and Behrens 119). Coherent—The sentences should be arranged in a logical manner and should follow a definite plan for development (Rosen and Behrens 119). Well-developed—Every idea discussed in the paragraph should be adequately explained and supported through evidence and details that work together to explain the paragraph's controlling idea (Rosen and Behrens 119).

Narration: Tell a story. Go chronologically, from start to finish. Description: Provide specific details about what something looks, smells, tastes, sounds, or feels like. Organize spatially, in order of appearance, or by topic. Process: Explain how something works, step by step. Perhaps follow a sequence—first, second, third. Classification: Separate into groups or explain the various parts of a topic. Illustration: Give examples and explain how those examples prove your point.

Creative writing is an art form; however if you cannot convey your message or ideas clearly then it is more of a confused mess. Let’s practice writing clearly: Your best friend has NEVER made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you have decided that you must help. The problem is your friend is deaf, and does not live close to you. You must write instructions explaining to your friend how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. You cannot assume your friends knows ANY of the details!