1. Patterns of
Organization
English 83R Mrs. E. Buchanan

2. TRANSITIONS

3. • Authors use two common methods to show connections,
or relationships, between ideas.
• These two methods are transitions and patterns of
organization.
Transitions

4. • We all use transition words all the time – everyday -
when you have a conversation with someone. You might
be talking at the dinner table with your family. You start
out talking about your day at school, perhaps your
midterm grades and other school related topics. The next
thing you realize is that you are now talking about your
upcoming spring break vacation. How did you jump
topics during your conversation? By using transition
words to get there.
Transitions

5. • The conversation might go like this:
• Mom: How was your day at school, Johnny?
• Johnny: First of all, I went to my English 72 class, took
my vocab quiz, and got an A. After class, I went to the
library to start working on my essay Next, I went to
lunch with Joey, and finally I went to the travel agency to
pick up tickets for our trip to Cancun.
Transitions

6. • During reading, it is important to pay special attention to
transition words.
• These special words show the relationships between ideas
within sentences and within paragraphs
Transitions

7. • Look at the sentences below. Which one is easier to read
and understand?
• Naomi was happy to find out that she is having another
baby boy. She needs to take out the clothes that her older
son wore when he was first born. She will have new
carpet installed. She will buy a new crib.
• Naomi was happy to find out that she is having a baby
boy. First of all , she needs to take out the clothes that her
older son wore when he was first born. Next she will have
new carpet installed. Finally, she will buy a new crib.
Transitions

8. • Sentence number one did not make sense
• The addition of the transition words First, next, and
finally in the second paragraph makes the situation clear.
• Although Naomi is happy to be having a another boy, she
now needs to find clothes, install new carpet, and buy a
crib.
Transitions

9. • Transitions are words or phrases (like first of all) that
show relationships between ideas. They are like signs on
the road that guide travelers.
• Writers often signal a change in topic with a transition
word or phrase that serves as a link or bridge from one
thought to the next one.
• Now let’s discuss patterns or organization – through this
you will see how transition words are used.
Transitions

10. INTRODUCTION TO PATTERNS
OF ORGANIZATION

11. • Writers organize their supporting sentences and ideas in ways
called Thought Patterns (or Pattern of Organization).
• Just as transitions show relationships between ideas in
sentences, thought patterns show the relationships between
supporting details in paragraphs, essays, and chapters.
• Patterns of organization are structures our minds use all the
time.
• All of our thinking and communicating depend on patterns of
organization.
Thought Patterns/
Patterns of Organization

12. • List of Items
• Cause and Effect
• Comparison and Contrast
• Examples and Illustrations
• Chronological Order
Patterns of Organization

13. • A list of items is a series of reasons, examples, or other
details that support an idea.
• The items have no time order, but are listed in whatever
order the author prefers.
• Changing the order of the details does not change their
meaning.
• Transitions of addition, such as and, also, and
furthermore are generally used to indicate a listing
pattern.
Listing Pattern

14. Listing
Sometimes authors use
numbers (1,2,3),
letters (a, b, c)
or asterisks (*)
to show the individual items on the list.

15. • At the summit stands a statue of Jesus.
• It’s 60 feet tall
• Dressed in white
•With a pink tunic
• It stretches out both arms
List describing statue

16. One First (of all) Secondly
Thirdly To begin with For one thing
Other Another Also
In addition Next Moreover
Further Furthermore Last (of all)
List of Items
Transition (addition) Words

17. •
• Choose one of the sentences below (depending on
whether you are an only child, or have siblings), and
write a paragraph that supports the main idea.
• 1. There are several advantages (or disadvantages) to be
an only child.
• 2. There are several advantages (or disadvantages) to
having siblings
List Practice

18. • A comparison shows the similarities between two or more
ideas, people, or things.
• A contrast shows the differences.
• Comparison and contrast may be seen as separate patterns
of thought; however, they often work together.
• Transition words: as, like, similarly, in a similar manner,
likewise, in comparison, in a like manner, both
Comparison/Contrast

19. In the cartoon above, the word resemble
helps show a comparison is being made.
Comparison words: but, yet, however,
although, nevertheless
Comparison Words

20. Contrast words show that things differ in one or more ways. In the
cartoon, the speaker is contrasting two ways to die.
Contrast words: but, yet, however; although, nevertheless, instead, in
contrast, on the other hand, while, unlike, despite
Compare & Contrast Activity: Lincoln vs. Kennedy
Contrast words

21. • The definition explains the meaning of new, difficult, or
special terms. Definitions include words like is, are, and
means:
• “Emblems are body gestures that directly translate into
words or phrases…”
Definition & Example

22. • The examples follow a definition to show how the word is
used or applied in the content. Examples are signaled by words
like for example, and such as: “for example, the OK sign, the
thumbs-up for ‘good job,’ and the V for victory.”
• The author may also provide dictionary meanings or personal
meanings.
• They can also be developed by means of examples or by
comparing and contrasting the key word to other words.

23. In the cartoon below, the husband gives examples of
what, to him, are deep emotions.
Example Transition Words:
(for) example, including, one, once,
(for) instance, specifically, such as,
Specifically, to illustrate, once,
To be specific, (as an illustration)
Definition & Example

24. • “Money” (by Richard Armour)
• Workers earn it
• Bankers lend it
• Women spend it
• Forgers fake it
• Taxes take it
• Dying leave it
• Heirs receive it
Examples of “Money”

25. • Write a paragraph that uses examples to support one of
the following three main ideas:
• A person I know always seems to act in a wise/
foolish/selfless/ self-serving ways.
• The place where I live is in need of some repairs.
• Some people use their cell phones in inappropriate places.
• Be sure to use example transition words.
Practice Definition &
Example

26. • See if you can arrange the following sentences in a logical
order, so that they form a short paragraph. Which sentence
should come first? Second? Third? Last? Use the time words
as a guide.
• A. Next, the two people declare themselves a couple, telling
friends and relatives about the new person in their lives.
• B. The two people then make a commitment to have an
exclusive relationship with each other.
• C. A relationship begins when two people show interest in each
other and choose to spend time together.
• D. Last, the two people formalize the relationship by
cohabitation or marriage.
Chronological Order

27. • A relationship begins when two people show interest in each
other and choose to spend time together. The two people then
make a commitment to have an exclusive relationship with
each other. Next, the two people declare themselves a couple,
telling friends and relatives about the new person in their lives.
Last, the two people formalize the relationship by cohabitation
or marriage.
• Authors usually present events in the order in which they
happen, resulting in the time order pattern of organization.
• In the above paragraph, the time transitions then, Next, and
Last introduce the points being listed and indicate their order.
Chronological Order

28. • Two kinds of time order are a series of events or stages
and steps in a process.
• As a student, you’ll see time order used frequently. For
example, textbooks in all fields describe events and
processes, such as …
• the events leading to the Boston Tea Party
• the important incidents in Abraham Lincoln’s life
• the steps involved for a bill to travel through Congress
• the process involved in writing a paper
• the stages in the development of a cell

29. Main idea: Children master language in predictable
stages.
1. At about six months, babies begin to repeat sounds
2. Three or four months later, babies can repeat sounds
and carry on little “conversations.”
3. Toddlers understand many words but cannot talk.
4. Finally, the child talks in single words and two-word
sentences.
Time Order

30. • Nerve-racking
• Humbling
• Terrifying
• Humorous
• Depressing
• Gratifying
• Anger-inducing
• Instructive
Write a paragraph about a specific
experience you’ve had. Use time order
transition words.

31. • One thing or event causes another thing to happen.
• Cause and effect reasoning gives logical reasons that
answer why or how.
• A cause is a reason for something happening; an effect is
the result or outcome.
• Transition words: because, thus, therefore, as a result,
for this reason, to explain, consequently, hence, so, affect,
accordingly, due to, results in
Cause and Effect

32. • Narrator: It happened in the days before mail service and
telephones. A wealthy farmer took a long trip. When he
arrived home, he asked the first field hand he saw what
had happened while he was away. This is how their
conversation went:
• Field hand: Well, the dog died.
• Farmer: The dog died! How?
Cause and Effect

33. • Field Hand: The horses ran over him when they became
frightened and ran out of the barn.
• Farmer: What scared the horses? Why did they run?
• Field hand: They were running from the flames when the
barn caught on fire.
Cause and Effect

34. • Farmer: Good grief! How did the barn catch on fire?
• Field hand: Well, sir, flames jumped from the house and
caught the barn on fire.
• Farmer: From the house! Did the house burn down too?
• Field Hand: Yep, the house is gone too.
Cause and Effect

35. • Farmer: How on earth did the house burn down?
• Field Hand: You see, one of the candles around your wife’s
casket fell over and caught the house on fire.
Cause and Effect

36. • Because the candles on the wife’s casket fell over the …
• House burned down
• Because flames jumped from the house the…
• Barn caught on fire
• Because the horses were scared they…
• Ran over the dog
Cause and Effect

37. • Pick one of the main idea sentences below and write a
cause & effect paragraph. Your writing does not have to
be true – you can make up a story.
• Losing a job can have painful consequences in a person’s
life.
• My parents’ divorce (or the death of a loved one) had a real
impact on my life.
• There are several reasons why I am a good/poor student.
Cause & Effect Practice