Identifying a text’s pattern of organization can help you to better understand the content
The chart below outlines some of the commonly used patterns of organization and signal words. Please note that some of the signal words are used in more than one pattern. When this is the case, the reader must pay close attention to the relationship between the main idea and details of the passage.
| Patterns of Organization | Purpose | Transitions/Signal Words | Example |
| Listing
|
Lists a series or set of reasons, details or points. The order of the details does NOT matter.
|
also, and, final, for one thing, furthermore, in addition, next, second
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Exercising has many physical health benefits including toned muscles. It also has mental health benefits.
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| Time Order:
Series of Events, narration, stages, steps, directions
|
Shows a chain of events. The order is important. | after, afterward, first, last, next previously, soon, ultimately, while | After the class I plan on getting my work completed. |
| Classification
|
Used to sort ideas into smaller groups or ideas. Traits of each group are described. | another group, categories, characteristics, one type, second kind, traits
|
Honey bees can be grouped into three castes: queens, drones, sterile female workers.
|
| Space Order
(Spatial Order)
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Allows authors to describe a person, place, or things based on its location or the way it is arranged in space | above, across, adjacent, behind, beside, center, close to, front, left, middle, outside, right there, under, within
|
Adjacent to my classroom is the President’s office.
|
| Cause and Effect
|
A cause states why something happens. An effect states a result or outcome. | accordingly, as a result, because of, consequently, since, so, result in, therefore, thus
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Since I have been eating healthy and exercising regularly, I have lost 12 pounds
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| Contrast
|
Points out the ways two or more ideas are different.
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Although, as opposed to, conversely, different from, even though, however, nevertheless, on the one hand, on the other hand, rather than, yet, while
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Although I ate a four course meal, I am still hungry. |
| Definition
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The definition explains the meaning of new, difficult or specialized vocabulary. Examples are then given to show how the word is used
|
As all illustration, for example, for instance, once, such as, to illustrate | Personification is when you assign the qualities of a person to something that isn’t human, or in some cases, to something that isn’t even alive. For example, The wind howled its mighty objection
|
| Generalization and Example
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The author makes a general statement and then offers examples for clarification.
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As all illustration, for example, for instance, once, such as, to illustrate
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Reality television has taken over the nation. For example, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo is watched by millions of viewers each week.
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Transitions and Thought Patterns
Transitions are words and phrases that signal thought patterns by showing the logical relationships both within a sentence and between sentences.
- Some transitions word and phrases have similar meanings; for example, also, too, furthermore
- Sometimes a single word can serve as two different types of transitions, depending on how it is used: since can signal time order or a cause
A thought pattern is established by using transitions to show the logical relationship between ideas in a paragraph or passage.
Not only do transitions reveal the relationships among ideas within a sentence, they also show the relationship of ideas between sentences. For example, Aerobic activity strengthens the heart and lungs. It also builds and tones muscles.
- A paragraph is made up of a group of ideas.
- Major details support the main idea and minor details support the major details.
- Transitions make the relationship between these three levels of ideas clear, smooth, and easy to follow.
Thought patterns (or patterns of organization) are signaled using transitions to show the logical relationship between the ideas in a paragraph, passage, or textbook chapter.
The time order thought pattern generally shows a chain of events. The actions or events are listed in the order in which they occur. This is called chronological order.
- Narrative: An author uses narration to describe a chain of points such as a significant event in history or a story.
- Process: Process is used to give directions to a task in order, like in steps, stages, or directions.
Transition Used in the Time Order Patters for Events or Stages
| after | afterward | as | before |
| currently | during | eventually | finally |
| first | immediately | last | later |
| meanwhile | next | now | often |
| previously | second | since | soon |
| then | ultimately | until | when |
Process: Steps, Stages, or Direction
The process thought pattern for steps, stages, or directions shows actions that can be repeated at any time with similar results. This pattern is used to provide steps or give directions for completing a task. Transitions used in the time order patters for process – see below.
| after | afterward | as | before |
| during | eventually | finally | last |
| later | meanwhile | next | now |
| previously | second | since | soon |
| often | then | while | first |
The Space Order Pattern
The space order patterns allows authors to describe a person, place or thing based on its location or the way it is arranged in space. This is also known as spatial order. A writer uses descriptive details to help readers create a mental picture of the subject being described. An author may choose to describe an object from top to bottom, from bottom to top, right to left, left to right, near to far, etc.
Space Order: Descriptive Details
Describe detail 1 > Descriptive detail 2 > Descriptive detail 3
Transition words of space order signal that the details follow a logical order based on two elements:
- How the object, place, or person is arranged in space, and
- The starting point from which the author chooses to begin the description.
Transition Words Used in Space Order Pattern
| above | across | adjacent | around |
| at the bottom | at the side | at the top | within |
| back | backup | behind | below |
| beneath | beside | beyond | center |
| close to | down | far away | farther |
| front | here | inside | left |
| nearby | next to | outside | right |
The Listing Pattern
Often authors want to present an orderly series or set of reasons, details, or points, These details are listed in an order that the author has chosen. Changing the order of the details does not change their meaning. Transitons of addition, such as, and, also, furthermore, are generally used to indicate a listing pattern.
Listing Pattern
Idea 1
Idea 2
Idea 3
Transitions of addition signal that the writer is adding to an earlier thought. the writer presents an idea and then adds other ideas to deepen or clarify the first idea.
| also | and | another | besides |
| final | finally | first | for one thing |
| furthermore | in addition | last | last of all |
| moreover | next | one | second |
The Classification Pattern
Authors use the classification pattern to sort ideas into smaller groups and describe the trains of each group.
- Each smaller group, called a subgroup, is based on shared traits of characteristics
- The author lists each subgroup and describes its traits.
Transitions of addition are used since groups and subgroups are listed in this thought pattern.
Examples of classification signal words are:
- another (group, kind, type)
- first (group, category, kind, type)
- characteristics
- second (group, class, kind, types)
The Comparison and Contrast Pattern
Comparison points out the ways in which two or more ideas are alike.
| a kind of | alike | as | as well as |
| comparable | equally | in a similar fashion | |
| in character with | in like manner | in the same way | just as |
| like | likewise | matching | near to |
| resemble | same | similar | similarity |
| similarly |
Contrast
Contrast points out the ways in which two or more ideas are different
Words and Phases of Contrast
| although | counter to | differently | Instead |
| than | despite | nevertheless | to the contrary |
| differ | as opposed to | however | Unlike |
| difference | yet | while | conversely |
| in compatible with | still |
Contrast Pattern
| Idea 1 | Idea 2 | |
| Idea 1 | differs from | Idea 2 |
| Idea 1 | differs from | Idea 2 |
| Idea 1 | differs from | Idea 2 |
For example: Physical development differs between girls and boys.
Comparison and Contrast
A is like B, but A differs from B.
Comparison: A is like B
Contrast: A is different from B
Cause and Effect
Sometimes an author talks about why something happened or what results came from an event.
- A cause states why something happens; an effect states a result or outcome
Cause and Effect Words
| accordingly | as a result | because | Thus |
| because of | consequently | due to | if….then |
| leads to | on account of | so results in | Since |
| thereby | therefore |
Generalization and Example Pattern
In the generalization-and-example thought pattern, the author makes a general statement and then offers an example or a series of examples to clarify the generalization.
The Generalization-and-Example Pattern Statement of a general idea
Example
Example
Words and Phrases that Introduce Examples
| an illustration | for example | for instance |
| including | once | such as |
| to illustrate | typically |
Textbooks are full of new words and special terms. Even if the word is common, it can take on a special meaning in a specific course. To help students understand the ideas, authors often include a definition of the new or special term. Often times, the author will then give examples.
The Definition pattern
- Term and definition
- Example
- Example
Examples may come before of after the new term is introduced. Some words and phrases the introduce examples are: an illustration, for example, for instance, including, once, such as, to illustrate and typically.
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Content adapted from an open course from Broward, licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 license.