1. Chapter 5: Patterns of Organization
Bridging the Gap, 9/e Brenda Smith
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

2. Textbook Organization: The Big Picture
Patterns identify the main idea.
Signal words can reveal a particular pattern.
Anticipate the overall pattern of organization.
Place the major supporting details into the outline pattern used by the author.
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

3. What do Transitional Words Do?
They can signal the levels of importance, a connection, or a direction of thought.
They are sometimes called signal words.
They show the relationship of ideas.
See the Reader’s Tip on Patterns of Organization and Signal Words on page 247/ 237.
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

4. Signal Words for Transition
Addition: in addition, furthermore, moreover, and, also, another
Examples: for example, for instance, to illustrate, such as, including
Time: first, finally, last, afterward, after, next, while
Comparison: similarly, likewise, in the same manner, just as, like
Contrast: however, but, nevertheless, whereas, on the contrary, conversely, in contrast
Cause and effect: thus, consequently, therefore, as a result, so, because of, since, accordingly
p. 236/226
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Simple Listing
Items are randomly listed in a series of supporting facts or details.
Supporting elements are of equal value.
Changing the order of the items does not change the meaning of the paragraph.
Use transitional words such as in addition, also, another, several, for example, a number of.
p. 239/230
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Definition
The concept is defined initially.
Then it is expanded with examples and restatements.
A defined term is usually signaled by italicized or boldfaced type.
p. 240/231
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

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Description
Description is similar to listing.
The characteristics are similar to a definition.
It is similar to a simple list of details.
Pg. 240/231
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

8. Time Order, Sequence, or Narration
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)
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Contrast
With Contrast:
Items are presented according to differences between them.
Signal words include:
different
in contrast
on the other hand
but
however
bigger than
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Comparison
Items are presented according to similarities among them.
Signal words include:
similar
in the same way
parallels
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Comparison & Contrast
This combines both comparisons and contrasts together into a single paragraph.
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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.
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Classification
This is 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.
Signals words include: two divisions, three groups, four elements, five classes, six levels, seven categories
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Summary
A summary comes at the end of an article or chapter
It condenses the main idea into a short concluding statement.
Signal words include:
in conclusion
briefly
to sum up
in short
in a nutshell.
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

15. Location or Spatial Order
This identifies the whereabouts of a place or object.
Signal words are:
north
next to
near
below
close by
within
around
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16. Generalization and Example
A general statement or conclusion is supported with specific examples.
Signal words include:
to restate that
that is
for example
to illustrate
for instance
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers

17. Mixed Organizational Patterns
Often articles have an overall pattern with individual paragraphs having a different pattern.
p. 247/242

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Chapter 5 Review
What is the purpose of a transition/signal words?
Why is it important to understand patterns in text?
Write a list of all of the patterns taught in this chapter; then write a list of signal words for each pattern.
2008 Pearson Education, Inc., Publishing as Longman Publishers