PATTERNS OF ESSAY ORGANIZATION Identifying different organizational patterns is important.

For example, if I'm going to do an imperial research report, based on my original research, I would organize the paper based on inductive information where I take a specific observation and end up with a generalization about it. If I'm going to be comparing a choice among options, then I might want to organize my paper by way of comparing and contrasting. Organizational patterns depend on what information needs to be conveyed.In writing, ideas are conveyed through various methods. Sometimes we discuss the causes of something without ever mentioning its effects. Other times, we present a general idea about a topic before we ever get to the specifics. And still other times, we relate details according to their importance.Every time you sit down to write, you should rethink what type of organization you'll use. To choose a pattern, consider why you are writing and who will read your writing.What is the most effective way to present this information? The list below represents some common organizational patterns, although many more patterns exist. You should use only one pattern for the overall structure of your writing. Chronological order Logical division Cause and effect Comparison and contrast

Pattern of Organization Chronological Order Logical Division

Purpose To describe the sequence of steps in a procedure To describe the logical divisions of a topic or the parts of an object

Cause/Effect Comparison/Contrast

To analyze the causes or effects of a situation To show the qualities that are similar or different between two things

CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER The Language of Process: Useful Phrases and Sentence Patterns The following transition words indicate the order of steps in a process: First before Then Next after that meanwhile after as when while soon afterward from then on the first step the next step the last step

Essay Plan: CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

The guidelines below will help you remember what you need to do in each part of a process essay: Introduction 1. state what the process is and why it is important 2. define the process 3. state the purpose for explaining the process 4. list any equipment, ingredients, or supplies needed to perform the process Supporting Paragraphs 1. describe the steps in the process, using time order 2. if there are a lot of steps, group them into several main categories Conclusion 1. Review why the process is important 2. Summarize the main steps in the process

LOGICAL DIVISION Essay Plan: Classification The guidelines below will help you remember what you need to do in each part of a classification essay. Introduction 1. provide background information about the topic to be classified 2. describe how you are going to divide the topic into groups

3. give the number of groups and a name for each one 4. explain the purpose for the classification Supporting Paragraphs 1. identify and describe one category in each supporting paragraph 2. explain the common characteristics of the members of each category 3. give examples of items in each category Conclusion 1. restate the method of classification 2. summarize the categories

CAUSE/EFFECT The language of Cause and Effect: Useful Expressions and Sentence Patterns Study the following transition signals that indicate a cause-effect relationship: As a result Due to Thus since therefore then because consequently For this reason and that is why

as a consequence so

Essay Plan: Cause/Effect The guidelines below will help you remember what you need to do in each part of a cause or effect essay. Introduction 1. provide background information about the situation you are analyzing 2. describe the situation 3. identify its main causes or effects Supporting Paragraphs 1. explain one cause or effect in each supporting paragraph 2. if there are many causes or effects, group them into several main categories 3. organize the causes or effects, using time order or order of importance Conclusion 1. summarize the main causes or effects 2. draw a conclusion or make a prediction

COMPARISON/CONTRAST The language of Comparison and Contrast: Useful Expressions and Sentence Patterns The following signals indicate a comparison: In the same way that Both Have in common similarly compared to is like likewise

is similar to just as

The following signals indicate a contrast: However Although Even though But Yet In contrast nevertheless on the other hand in spite of on the contrary still conversely unlike whereas while is different from differs from

Essay Plan: Comparison/Contrast

Block Method The guidelines below will help you remember what you need to do in each part of a comparison/contrast essay using the block method. Introduction 1. provide background information about your topic 2. identify the two things being compared and contrasted 3. state the purpose for making the comparison and contrast Supporting Paragraphs 1. in the first paragraph, discuss the similarities 2. in the next paragraph, discuss the differences Conclusion 1. restate the purpose for comparison and/or contrast in different words 2. summarize the main similarities and differences 3. draw a conclusion

Point-by-point Method The guidelines below will help you remember what you need to do in each part of a comparison/contrast essay using the point-by-point method. Introduction 1. provide background information about your topic 2. identify the two things being compared and contrasted 3. state the purpose for making the comparison and contrast 4. identify the points to be compared and contrasted Supporting Paragraphs 1. in the first paragraph, compare and/or contrast the two things according to the first point 2. in the second paragraph, compare and/or contrast the two things according to the second point 3. in the third and subsequent paragraphs, do the same thing Conclusion 1. restate the purpose for comparison and/or contrast in different words 2. summarize the main similarities and differences 3. draw a conclusion

Sample Topic Sentence/Thesis Statements for Process Essay 1. It is not difficult to change a flat tire if you have the right equipment 2. Making a delicious pancake is easy when you follow these steps. 3. There are three major steps involved in studying for an exam. 4. These are two effective ways to lose weight.

Sample Topic Sentences/Thesis Statements for Classification Essay 1. There are three kinds of energy: nuclear, hydraulic, and solar.

2. We can divide the students in international class into three groups: Asian, European, and South-American. 3. News articles can be divided into three categories: local, national, and international. 4. The students can be divided into three levels according to their proficiency in English: beginning, intermediate, and advanced. 5. The restaurants in America can be divided into three groups: fast-food restaurants, family-style restaurants, and gourmet restaurants. 6. According to Luke Howard, a British pharmacist and amateur meteorologist, clouds can be classified into three basic forms: cirrus, stratus, and cumulus.

Sample Topic Sentence/Thesis Statement for Cause/Effect Essay 1. There are several causes of jet lag. 2. There are there main reasons why people want to get their own apartment. 3. Parents divorce has several important effects on the childrens lives.

Sample Topic Sentence/Thesis Statement for Comparison/Contrast Essay. 1. There are several differences between high school and college. 2. Thai food and Vietnamese food are similar in many ways. 3. Tommy Suharto is different from his father in several aspects. 4. A husband and wife have several things in common. 5. A comparison between jazz and rock n roll reveals some surprising similarities.

Sample simple introductory paragraph for Problem/Solution Essay 1. Living in a foreign country can be fun and exciting, but it can also be problematic. One of the most serious problems that people living in a foreign country face is culture shock. Here are two best tricks to help people deal with this problem. 2. Many people have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep for an adequate amount of time. This problem is known as insomnia. It is indeed very troublesome because one will end up getting tired and sleep in the morning when he or she is supposed to work. That is why it must be prevented and healed. There are three simple solutions to people who cannot seem to get a good nights sleep.