NGSSS

Organizational Patterns LA.7.1.7.5: Analyze a varie ty of text struclUres, such as comparison and contrast, cause and effect, chronological order, and argument w ith support

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In this lesson, you will learn about common ways that writers arrange ideas in a text. Writers use organizational patterns to organize information.

When writers begin to write, the subject often suggests a pattern to use. suppose a writer wants to write a biography. The writer will probably tell about the person's life using time order. USing chronological order helps readers understand the sequence of events in the person's life.

Authors sometimes want to explain why something happened. When this is the case, they organize their writing around causes and effects. They describe what happened (effect) and why it happened (cause). Writers use a similar pattern to present problems and solutions.

When writers want to show how things are similar and different, they compare and contrast them. They show how two things are alike (compare) and how they are different (contrast).

Sometimes writers want to persuade others to take a certain action or accept a specific idea or goal. in this case, they present an argument along with support for it in the form of facts or reasons.

Writers may also use a list to organize information or ideas. This organizational pattern is common in texts that give instructions or explain a process.

Within a single passage, an author may use different organizational patterns. As you read, look for the different ways the author organizes information. Use the table below as a guide.

Organizational Patterns Chronological Order shows sequence of events Cause and Effect describes why or how something happened

Compare and Contrast shows how two or more things are alike and different

Argument presents ideas to support an argument

List organizes information or ideas; gives instructions; explains a process

NGSSS LA.7.1.7.5

Read this persuasive essay. Look for organizational patterns to answer the question below.

Support School Uuiforms

1 Many students pay more attention to what they are wearing than what they are learning. School uniforms are a good solution to this problem. Students who wear uniforms do better in school than those who don't. That's because they can focus on schoolwork rather than on their clothes.

2 Un like designer clothes, uniforms are an affordable way to dress. Without uniforms, students focus too much on how well they are dressed. But when schools have uniforms, students tend to focus on each other's personalities. Plus, uniforms actually encourage creativity because students must let their actions, rather than their clothes, show who they really are. Uniforms keep students focused on what matters.

How does the author organize paragraph l?

~ The word organize in the question tells you that you should look for the structure, or organizational pattern. How does the author arrange the information in the paragraph?

~ What inform ation does the author present in paragraph I? The author says that students are paying too much attention to their clothes. He or she thinks that school uniforms would help solve this problem.

~ How is the information organized? What organizational pattern does it demonstrate? Problem and solution.

ANSWER: The author organizes paragraph 1 by presenting a problem and a possible solution.

The author organizes paragraph 2 by

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Think About It What is this author trying to explain? How is the text organized?

Hint Think about which organizational pattern explains why something happens.

CORRECT ANSWER

SUPPORTING DETAILS

INCORRECT ANSWERS

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Read the article. Use the Think About It to guide your reading. Then answer the question. Use the Hint to help you.

Adopt a Shelter Pet

Each year, many people buy adorable kittens and puppies that they are unable to take care of when the animals grow up. This results in cats and dogs being brought to shelters. Unfortunately, shelters get overcrowded because there are not enough people who want to adopt pets. If owning a pet is right fo r you, consider adopting one from a shelter. You might save a life and ga in a new animal friend.

This article is organized by A describing the life of a particular shelter dog or cat.

B explai ning causes of overcrowded shelters.

e comparing and contrasting ca ts and dogs. D presenting the steps for adopting a pet in time order.

Answer choice B is correct.

The author expla ins the reasons (causes) that shel ters become overcrowded (effect). The words this res ul ts in and because are clues that the author is explaining causes and effects.

A is not correct because the article does not describe a single dog or cat's life .

e is not correct because the article does not say how cats and dogs are alike and different, even though it mentions them.

D is not correct because a specific time order isn't fo llowed .

NGSSS LA.7.l.7.5

Think About It How does the passage begin? What text structure do you think the biography wi ll have?

Why did Jordan decide to study law?

How does the biography end? What kind of statement does the last sentence make?

NGSSS LA.7.1.7.5

Read the passage. Use each Think About It to guide your reading.

Barbara Jordan 1 Barbara j ordan was born in 1936 in Houston , Texas. Her parents,

Benjamin and Arlyne j ordan , were both skilled speakers. j ordan's grandfather, j ohn Ed Patten, was also important in her life. He taught j ordan to appreciate great writing and helped her with her speaking skills. During high school, j ordan developed a love of debating. She won first place in a national competition in Chicago, Illinois.

2 j ordan's debating skills grew when she attended Texas Southern University. She was a national champion debater. She graduated with honors in 1956. She then decided to turn her love of public speaking into a career. She went to Boston University to study law. She graduated in 1959.

3 jordan was ready to change the world. After graduating from law school, she taught at Tuskegee Insti tute in Alabam a. In 1960, she returned to Houston. She set up her own law practice in her parents' kitchen.

4 Barbara j ordan's interest in politics led her to run for the Texas

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Senate. And in 1966, she won. jordan made history because she was the first Afr ican American woman to se rve in the Texas legislature. j ordan worked hard in the Texas Senate. As a result, she achieved great success. She led a major committee and pres ided over the Senate. She even served as acting Governor of Texas for one day.

In 1972, Jordan was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. There, she worked to pass laws that promoted social justice. She helped make sure that all people were treated fai rly, regardless of their race, language, or status. ]

6 In 1978, j ordan left politics and returned to teaching. She taught for .~ the next 17 years. She continued to serve the public by making ~ speeches and serving on committees. Jordan earned many awards, .~ including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which she received in 1994. She passed away in 1996. There is no doubt that j ordan will be remembered as a person who lived the words "and justice for all."

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Hints

Look at the dates given throughout the passage. How are they arranged?

Look at the words led, because, and as a result in paragraph 4. What kind of organization do these words suggest?

Reread the last sentence of the biography. How does it relate to the facts given about Jordan in the other paragraphs?

Wid, your partner, share and discuss your answers and supporting details.

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Use the Hints to answer the questions below, Circle the correct answers and provide supporting details from the passage.

1 The organizational pattern of the biography can best be described as A a list of people who were important to Jordan . B a chronological account of events in jordan's life. e a comparison ofJordan to other politicians. D an explanation of why Jordan entered politics.

SLipporting Details: ___ ___ ___________ _

2 The author organizes paragraph 4 by A comparing the jobs of Texas Senator and Texas Governor. B describing the sequence of steps Jordan took to run for office. e presenting problems about the government and their solutions. D explaining some causes and effects ofJordan's political career.

SLipporting Detail s: _ _________ ______ _ _

3 Read th is sentence from the passage.

There is no doubt that Jordan will be remembered as a person who lived the words "and justice for all."

This sentence is part of A an argument , or conclusion, abourJordan's life. B a description of the process for becoming a U. S. senator. e a list of Jordan's achievements. D contrasting Jordan's life with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Supporting Details: _ ____ _ ___________ _

NGSSS lA.7.1.7.5

Read the article "Energy Options for the Future" before answering Numbers 1 through 6.

Energy Options for the

Future By Rebecca Carson

Every time you ride in a car, mow a lawn, or heat your home, you are using energy. You probably don't think much about where this energy is coming from, but you should. Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, are running out. Burning them is also heating up our environment by releasing gases into the air. What if there were better, cleaner ways to power our world? Actually, there are. Scientists are working to find ways to use renewable resources for our energy needs.

Renewable energy sources are energy sources that can be replenished because they never run out. Solar energy, wind power, and water power are three renewable energy sources that hold promise. They are all clean, non-polluting, and available in an endless supply. They do not produce wastes that heat up our environment. These renewable energy alternatives deserve a closer look.

Solar energy is energy from the sun. It can provide heating, cooling, light, and hot water. Energy from the sun does not produce waste and, of course, it will never run out. However, solar energy is expensive. It requires special equipment, called solar panels, to capture the sun's energy. Solar energy is also limited to buildings that have the special panels. Still, many believe that in the

NGSSS LA.7.1.75

future, every roof will have solar panels. Of all the renewable energy sources, solar energy is the only one that does not have any negative impacts on the environment.

Wind is another renewable energy source. Wind creates energy by turning the blades of a wind turbine, which is like a super-windmill. The blades are connected to a generator, which creates power. Wind energy is clean, but some people don't like the noise or the appearance of the large turbines. Wind turbines can be harmful to migrating birds. Also, wind does not blow consistently, so adaptations have to be made for very windy days or days with no wind at all.

Water power has been used for many years. It is ~ clean and renewable. Flowing water turns paddles E in power plants, which creates electricity. But ~

water power requires expensive dams to be built, g and it is not an option in very dry areas. Even so, ;'

o it is the most widely used renewable energy ' ~

source that exists today. <3 Overall, there are some disadvantages to using ~

renewable energy sources. Right now, the ,~ technology to use renewable energy sources is ! still expensive. Using renewable energy requires a E major investment of money to get started, and the ~ money is paid back only after using the "free fuel" 'E for a very long time. ~

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Fossil fuels are convenient. They are easy to collect and to transport. This makes it easy for people to use them. Renewable energy sources can be unpredictable and hard to collec t. Days without sun and wind have to be accounted for when using solar or wind energy. Water power is not an option everywhere. Renewable energy sources will need to become nearly as convenient

] as fossi I fuels if they are to be used by a large E number of people. People will have to think 2L creatively to choose and use the renewable energy

" = sources that are best for where they live. .~ eo Despite the challenges, renewable energy = .;:. sources a re an investment in our future . Fossil "-

<3 fuels have a limited supply. As the demand for ~ fossil fuels grows and the supply decreases, .§ higher prices for fossil fuels will be passed on to o ~ energy users. In contrast, renewable energy -< § sources are free. The technology to capture them ~ is expensive. But once it is in place, it becomes

more affordable over time. This results in lower 3 ~ prices in the long run.

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Developing ways to use local renewable energy sources creates jobs for people. It allows us to depend on ourselves, rather than other colmtries, for our energy. Renewable energy is also better for the environment. It is clean, which mea ns that using it does not release pollution into the air. Over time, this will help reduce the problems of global warming and acid rain.

Choosing and using renewable energy sources shows that you care about people and our planet and want to protect Earth's resources for future generations. We only have one Earth . We must take care of it!

NGSSS LA.7.1.7.5

o Which of the following best describes the organizational pattern of this text?

A. It lists the many harmful effects of using fossil fuels.

B. It sta tes a conclusion about energy and supports it with facts about fossi l fuels.

C. It tell s the causes and effects of using renewable energy sources.

D. It compi res and contrasts different sources of renewable energy.

Why does the author begin the article by describing some problems with fossil fuels?

F. to explain why fossil fuels are popular

G. to explain several ways that we use energy

H. to compare different activities that use energy

1. to give reasons for using renewable energy sources instead

., The author points out that wind energy is clean but bsts some potential problems. All of the fo llowing are bsted EXCEPT

A. wind turbines can be noisy.

B. wind turbines can harm migrating birds.

C. some days are not windy.

D. wind turbines generate power.

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According to the text, all of the following are effects of using renewable energy sources EXCEPT

F. jobs will be created.

G. the environment will become warmer.

H. energy costs will be lower in the long flUl.

1. we will not need to depend on other coun tries for energy.

Compared to fossil fuels, what is one major drawback of using energy sources such as sun, wind, and wate r power?

A. Those sources are quickly used up.

B. Those sources cause more pollu tion.

C. Those sources are not as convenien t.

D. Those sources are not found in the United States.

In the article's last paragraph, the author

F. gives speci fi c deta ils about Earth and its resources.

G. gives the author's conclusion about renewable energy.

H. explains the disadvantages of using foss il fuels.

1. tells the last event in a chain of events explaining wind power.

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