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