PATTERNS OF PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION

ORGANIZATIONPeople seek out patterns to help make sense of information.

The link between clear, logical organization and effective communication is powerful.

0 For the writer, a well organized outline of information serves as a blue print for action.

0 For the reader, clear organization greatly enhances the ease with which one can understand and remember the information being presented.

There are many patterns a writer can use to organize his/her ideas

0 The specific pattern chosen depends upon the particular topic and the objectives the writer has identified for the document.

0 There is no rule to follow in choosing a pattern of organization; one must simply think carefully about which pattern makes the most sense in helping the reader to better understand the information.

Let’s look at some patterns, starting with….Chronological Order

0Chronological order is the order in which the events occurred, from first to last.

0Describes the sequence in which events occur in time.

Chronological Order

Can easily be identified by these Transition Words:

0first, second, later, before, next, as soon as,0after, then, finally, meanwhile, following, last,0during, in, on, until

Weekly Assignments

In what order do you complete these weekly assignments?

MRL…

DB….

Read the lesson

Babies grow up

In what order does a child begin to do these:

0walk…0 talk…0 read…0eat

Human inventions

Put these machines in the order of when they were invented:

0telephone..0radio…0automobile…0light bulb

Human inventions

Which one was invented first?

Which one was last?

0Telephone (1874 Bell ) 0 Radio (1895 Marconi ) 0 Automobile ( 1889 Benz (gasoline powered) ) 0Light bulb (1879 Edison) 

History is a chain of events

Place these U.S. events in correct historical order:

0D-Day….0Prohibition repealed…0First U.S. satellite launched…0Babe Ruth hits 60 home runs in one year

Time Sequence is used to narrate history

Which event occurred first? Last?

0D-Day (Allies invade Normandy June 6, 1944) 0Prohibition repealed (1933)0First US satellite launched (1958) 0Babe Ruth hits 60 home runs (1927)

Now, let’s take a look at another pattern…Spatial Order

Describes physical location or position in space.

This type of organization takes the reader from one spot the next, as if the reader were looking at something.

Spatial Order

Can be identified by noting these Transition Words (among others):

0above, below, beside, next to, in front of, behind,0inside, outside, opposite, within, nearby

In your desk

0What objects what you put in the top drawer of your desk?

0What would you put in the bottom drawer of your desk?

Knives, forks, spoons

0Which utensils should be to the left of your plate?

0Which utensils should be to the right of your plate?

Knives, forks, spoons

Which utensils should be to the left of your plate?

Which utensils should be to the right of your plate?

U.S. Geography

Which state(s) is/are directly below Minnesota?

 U.S. Geography

Which state(s) is/are directly below Minnesota?

Iowa

U.S. Geography

Which state(s) is/are directly west

(to the left of)

Colorado?

U.S. Geography

Which state(s) is/are directly west (to the left of) Colorado?

Utah

Let’s look at the pattern…Listing/Enumeration

Organizes lists of information, characteristics, features, parts, or categories.

Used with these words:0the following, several, for example, for instance,0one, another, also, too, in other words, first0second, numerals (1, 2, 3…), letters (a, b, c…),0most important, the largest, the least, finally

What would you do?

List four things you would do if you were give $1 million tax-free

Give your reasons

List three reasons you think the divorce rate is so high in America:

Identify the pattern:

1.)

To make a pasta face, cut a large circle 1 foot in diameter from cardboard. Next, cut 2 large holes 1.5 inches apart in the center of the circle. Then, Cut 2 squares from the plastic packaging to fit over the eye holes and tape onto the back of the mask. Next, paint the front of the mask white and leave to dry.

Identify the Pattern:

2.)

The Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone DVD offered several special features: never before seen footage, self-guided tour of Hogwarts, theatrical trailers, and scene access.

Identify the Pattern:

3.)

For those who are forgetful, the following tips can make the holiday season just a little easier.  One month before the Christmas or Jewish holidays, buy and mail holiday cards.  Three weeks before, mail gifts to anyone you won't be seeing in person.  Two weeks before, tip service providers that you use regularly.  One week before, start planning the menu.

Identify the Pattern:

4.)

In the refrigerator, the milk and soda are in the door; the fruit and vegetables are in the bottom bins; cheese and meats are in the middle shelf; and a big chocolate cake is on the top shelf.

Answers

1.) Time

2.) List

3.) Time

4.) Spatial