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 neighbors truck. Lyndas side of the car was damaged the most, and
she ended up with a broken arm. That night, she cried herself to sleep.

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.

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.

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 couldnt 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 mothers 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.

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 hadnt 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 hadnt
forgotten a thing.

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 citys 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.

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 havent 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.

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 readers 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.

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 couldnt possible understand anything I thought or felt.
When they werent 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.

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. Jennifers favorite subject is English, and Jessicas 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.

Prince Goldheart one to beat

FORMER Singapore galloper Prince Goldheart should remain unbeaten in the Malaysian
circuit by winning the RM95,000 Table 1 event for horses rated 71 and above over 1400m
(Race 12, 6.25pm) in Ipoh today.
The six-year-old Australian entire by Desert Prince, who arrived unraced in Nov 2006, has
four wins and two seconds in 13 outings to date. He scored once at Kranji and finished
second in two outings in 10 runs in Singapore.
However, Prince Goldheart is completely a transformed horse since coming over to
Malaysia and has yet to be beaten in three outings.

Prince Goldheart made a winning debut in June thrashing Dancing Grey by 9 3/4 lengths in
a Class 4 event over 1400m in Ipoh in good going in 2:24.4.
Promoted, Prince Goldheart continued with his winning ways beating Aussie Son by six
lengths in a Class 3 event over 1400m in Penang in yielding going and stopped the clock in
1:24.1.
Prince Goldheart made it a hat-trick triumphing over the promising Flying Cat in a Class 3
event over 1400m in Kuala Lumpur in yielding going last month and clocked a respectable
time of 1:23.6.

Trained by Evert Breukelen, Prince Goldheart looks as fit as ever and should strike with
jockey Shahrul Nizam despite having to take on the circuit's equine millionaires Fighter Jet,
Professional Man, Itmaybeyou and Triple Happy.
Speed Train can go three up in the Class 4 event over 1200m (Race 9, 4.50pm).
The four-year-old New Zealand gelding by Gold Mine, who cost NZ$185,000 at two, has
two wins and a third in seven outings to date. He went two up beating Asian Classic by a
shorthead in a Class 4 event over 1200m in Ipoh in good going in July and clocked 1:10.9.

In his following outing, Speed Train failed to follow up when he ran sixth to rank outsider
Star Winger in a Class 4 event over 1400m in Kuala Lumpur in yielding going and was
about 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner.
Trained by Kevin Coetzee, Speed Train looks fighting fit and should score with jockey Azhar
Ismail in the saddle.
Best forecast: Flying Cat and Bintang Harapan in Race 11; best longshot: Itmaybeyou in
Race 12.