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PATTERNS OF
ORGANIZATION
There are several ways to organize your
writing. Not every pattern will work for every writer or for
every piece of writing. It is important to organize the writing
in an order that is interesting, but more importantly it must be
logical. In other words, it has to make sense to the reader.
Everything must fit together, much like the pieces of a puzzle.
The examples that follow are only a paragraph in length and only
serve as short models of each pattern. However, the concept for
each pattern is the same regardless of the length.
Chronological Order
Chronological order is the order in which
the events occurred, from first to last. This is the easiest
pattern to write and to follow.
 | Example:
It seemed like an ordinary day when she got up that
morning, but Lynda was about to embark on the worst day
of her life. First, she fell in the bathtub because her
mother forgot to rinse out the bath oil. Then she spilled
orange juice on the outfit she had spent hours putting
together for school pictures. When she changed, she
messed up the French braid her mother had put in her
hair. As she walked out the door, she dropped all of her
school books and her math homework flew away. Once she
made it to the car she thought everything would be all
right. She was wrong; her father didn't look before he
backed out of the driveway and ran into the
neighbor’s truck. Lynda’s side of the car was
damaged the most, and she ended up with a broken arm.
That night, she cried herself to sleep.
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Cause and Effect Order
In this type of order, the cause (or reason) is usually discussed
first. This then leads to a discussion of the effect (or result.)
| Example:
Because toys have become electronic devices, some
children today are unable to entertain themselves. Gone
are the days when children invented their own adventures
and used sticks as swords. cookie sheets as armor, and
refrigerator box as a fortress to defend. The electronic
age has delivered children all sorts of gadgets and
gizmos that are supposed to be realistic. Some toys even
have buttons to push so prerecorded messages can be
played to begin scripted adventures that require no
imagination. No imagination? No wonder some children
today have short attention spans.
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Problem to Solution Order
In this type of order, the problem is presented first. Details
about the problem, including its cause, follows. Next, a
suggested solution will be discussed, including details that
support the solution.
| Example:
Several students receive poor grades on writing
assignments, not because they lack the ability to
communicate, but because they can not seem to manage
their time when it comes to a large project. They do not
know where to begin, and therefore put things off until
the last minute. To solve this problem, students need to
develop a timeline for completing the project. If they
divide the assignment into manageable “chunks”
or parts and then set a schedule for completing each
part, they will be able to finish the entire project
before the deadline. Without the pressure of not knowing
where to begin, the students will be able to focus on the
assignment and communicate their ideas effectively.
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Spatial Order
This type of organization takes the reader from one spot the
next, as if the reader were looking at something. It is very
descriptive.
| Example:
I couldn’t believe my eyes when we finally emerged
from the storm shelter. Where the barn once stood there
was now only a few tufts of hay. The path that led to the
house was scattered with branches and debris. The house!
The entire roof was gone. The north wall was caved in and
we could see right into the house. Well, what was left of
it. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I noticed that most of
our belongings had been sucked up into the great vacuum
and scattered across the countryside. We heard a loud
cracking and moaning as the west wall gave way and
collapsed, sending up a wave of dust. And yet, there in
the middle of the front yard was mother’s prized
rose bush. It swayed in the breeze as if nothing had
happened. Seeing it made me realize how lucky we were to
be alive. We stood there in dismay, our arms locked
around one another.
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Climactic Order
This type of organization takes the reader from the least
important idea to the most important idea. The ideas build in
importance, holding the reader's attention. The best is saved for
the last.
| Example:
My encounter with nature became a learning experience for
me. I learned to come prepared for anything. Our canoe
overturning was proof that anything could happen. All of
our supplies were gone. I also learned that although
nature is beautiful, she can also be deadly. If it
hadn’t been for the cave we discovered in the
moonlight, the hail storm surely would have killed us.
Most of all, I learned to trust my mother. I never
thought I would say this, but she does know a thing or
two. She kept her wits about her and kept me calm as
well. Even in the middle of nowhere without any supplies,
she still managed to take care of me. Her grandfather had
taught her how to survive in the wild, and she
hadn’t forgotten a thing.
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Reverse Climactic Order
In this type of organization, the most important idea is stated
first and the least important idea is stated last. This method is
used most often in newspaper articles. This way if the reader
does not finish the article he/she will still know the most
important details. This method grabs the reader's attention in
the beginning, but it does not work very will in holding the
reader's attention clear to the end.
| Example:
A plan to improve the city’s park was approved
Monday night by the city council. The plan involves
adding landscaping to the north end, rebuilding the
bridge over the lake, and updating the playground
equipment. Funds for the project have been donated by
local businesses who hope that improving the park will
bring more people to the downtown area which will in turn
bring more customers. The next order of business is for
the city council to open the bidding process for the
various improvements.
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Process Order
In this type of order, a sequence of actions is described. It
instructs the reader on how to do something. It is basically a
set of directions. Owner's manuals and cookbooks are organized in
this pattern.
| Example:
The first step in redesigning your closet is take
everything out and sort through it. Anything you
haven’t worn in over a year should be given to
charity. Check garments for wear and tear. Take care of
anything that needs mending. If it is beyond repair, get
rid of it. The second step is to install a closet
organizer. Choose one that will hold the different types
of garments in your wardrobe. The third step is to put
items in the closet so that those you wear most often are
easy to access. The final step is to stay organized. Put
garments back in their appropriate places so that you
will be able to find them.
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Classification Order
In this type of order, the main idea is broken down into smaller
areas or classifications. Each classification is then discussed.
| Example:
There are four basic modes of writing. Each mode may take
different forms, but has a primary purpose. The first is
expository writing, which has a purpose of explaining
something or giving directions. Providing directions to
your house is an example. The second mode is persuasive
writing, which has a purpose of influencing the
reader’s way of thinking. An advertisement is a an
example of persuasive writing. The third mode is
descriptive writing, which has a purpose of providing
vivid details so that the reader can picture what is
being presented. An essay that depicts the glorious Grand
Canyon is an example. The fourth mode is narrative
writing, which has a purpose of presenting an experience
in the form of a story. A personal account of a vacation
is an example of narrative writing.
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Comparison/Contrast Order
(block form)
In this pattern of organization one item is discussed in detail
before the next item is mentioned. In other words, each item gets
its own "block" of space within the writing.
| Example:
As a child, I thought my parents were ignorant and out of
touch with reality. They couldn’t possible
understand anything I thought or felt. When they
weren’t annoying me with their ridiculous lectures,
or grounding me for minor infractions of the rules, they
were embarrassing me in public. As a parent, I find it
frustrating that my children think I have no clue about
their lives, even though I understand perfectly well what
they are thinking or feeling. I find myself giving my
children the same lectures I once thought were
ridiculous. My children can not seem to follow the rules
their father and I have set, and they are continuously
embarrassing me in public. My, how things have changed.
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Comparison/Contrast Order
(point by point)
This type of order is again based on comparison (the
similarities) and contrast (the differences.) Instead of being
divided into parts, however, both sides of each point are
discussed together.
| Example:
Although they are sisters, Jennifer and Jessica are
complete opposites. Jennifer enjoys playing sports, while
Jessica would rather watch. Jennifer has no interest in
playing a musical instrument, while Jessica is the first
chair violinist. Jennifer listens to new age music, while
Jessica prefers country. Jennifer’s favorite subject
is English, and Jessica’s favorite is math. Jennifer
likes to curl up in a chair on a rainy day and read a
good book , but Jessica would rather sleep all day. No
one would ever guess that they are actually twins.
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