RDNG 0361

Structure for reading, subsection, a paragraph, or the interrelationship between ideas and sentences in a paragraph.

Help to determine the main details in a passage that support main point (aka Supporting details)

Transition words or signal words are words or phrases used by authors to introduce the reader to the thought pattern or pattern of organization, in the writing and between ideas within the writing.

Transition also called signals words or phrases because they signal how the author is arranging ideas.

Then Because Also First Second Last (lastly) In addition

Another Similarly Furthermore In Short As a result

Details that support the authors main points can be expressed by either major details or minor details

Major Detail – are the main points to support the overall point in the reading

Minor Detail – are more specific points that support the major points, usually by providing examples of the major details.

Simple listing, order of importance, chronological order, sequence and process, and spatial or place order

All patterns, except for simple listing, include items that must be in a certain order to convey the meaning that the author intends.

Organizational patterns allows for readers to understand how an author has arranged information in a passage.

Covered in this module:

Definition and Example

Classification Compare/contrast Cause/effect Problem & solution

Covered in the next module:

Simple Listing Chronological/Sequence

or Process Spatial (location) Generalization &

Example/Illustration Statement and

Clarification

Used to describe/define and explain the meaning of a term or concept.

Signal WordsFor instance for example alsoSuch as in addition firstAnother furthermore to illustrate

Readings answer the question:

“What is it?”

Ragtime music is a style that developed at the turn of the twentieth century. Played primarily by piano, the “Rocking Horse Rag” is an excellent short sample of ragtime.

Acrophobia is an intense, unreasonable fear of high places. People with acrophobia exhibit emotional and physical symptoms in response to being at great heights. For instance, one sufferer of extreme acrophobia, Andrea Copeland, is unable to go above the third floor of any building without feeling enormous anxiety. Her acrophobia began one evening when she was working alone in her office on the eighth floor of a large building. Suddenly she was struck with terror. She gathered her things and left the building, Yet, she still has no rational explanation for her fear, which is also typical of this type of phobia.

Used to illustrate the differences or similarities of the items being compared

These can be separated and the author may only COMPARE or may only CONTRAST.

Signal WordsDifferent from same as similar toAs opposed to instead of althoughCompared with however as well asEither..or unless but

Football and rugby both involve two teams who try to score points by carrying a ball into an area at the end of the field. However, the two games differ in many ways. In football, each team has eleven players on the field. In rugby, there are fifteen players on the field. Football players wear protective helmets and pads. Rugby players wear no padding, although they can choose to wear a soft leather cap. In football, players can throw the ball to each other. In rugby, passes are illegal, and players must move the ball down the field by running with it or kicking it. When a football player is tackled, the game stops. Rugby, however, is a continuous game. A tackled player must immediately release the ball, and play continues. Rugby allows no time-outs either.

Used to show how the facts, events, or concepts result due to other facts, events, or concepts

Signal WordsConsequently may be due to sinceThis led to…so nevertheless if...thenAccordingly because of yetAs a result of in order to alsoFor this reason not only… but

because

Explains reasons why something happened.

Or explains the effects of something.

Classification patterns divides a broad topic into categories.

Widely used in academic subjects

Internet users have three types of access choices for surfing the Web. The first type of access to the Internet is the old-fashioned phone line, which is quite slow. The second type of access is high-speed broadband, which enters the house through the TV cable line. The third type of access is wireless broadband access. Wireless broadband is used to provide both fixed and mobile internet access.

Used to present a problem and possible solutions to this problem.

Can be similar to Cause and Effect. It is basically cause and effect with an opinion and an answer.

Signal Wordsthe problem is the question is a solution one answer istherefore if….then

Restoring the ToadDr. Knapp doesn’t want people to sit back and let the toad vanish. He believes that everyone is responsible for restoring the toad species. Dr. Knapp thinks we could help restore the toad population if we stop mowing parts of our lawns and let the grass grow wild to reserve space for the toad. He also believes we need to stop using pesticides and fertilizers. The chemicals kill the insects that toads eat. If we preserve some spaces in our lawns and stop using fertilizers, Dr. Knapp believes we can save the toads.