Organizational Patterns

Front

Chronological/sequential

Back

The author provides events in time order.

Chron means time.

The author might also describe events in a sequence - first to last.

Front

Listing/Enumeration

Back

The author lists events, things, or any thing else.

Enumeration simply means listing things one by one.

Front

Compare and contrast

Back

The author shows how two things are similar. This is comparison.

The author shows how two things are different. This is contrast.

Front

Cause and effect

Back

The author tells you what happened and why it happened.

Example: I lost weight because I exercised.

Front

Process

Back

The author tells you how to do something. Example: How to cook rice. If writing is organized as a process, there has to be a product at the end.

Front

Generalization

Back

The author makes broad statements that a rule applies to everything or nothing. For example: Icecream is the best dessert. All children are innocent.

Front

Problem/solution

Back

The author lists problems and situation presents and solutions for the problem.

Front

Concept/definition

Back

The author gives a word or idea and tells you what it means. The author may provide examples to support their explanation.