Study Guide for Organizational Patterns Quiz Quiz on Wednesday, March 21 (A-day) or Thursday, March 22 (B-day)

��������������� ���������������� Authors often write for a variety of reasons. Most nonfiction writing is created to inform the audience. Before writing, authors often decide what format would be the best use when writing their nonfiction piece. There are 7 organizational patterns they can choose from.

1) Cause and Effect- Shows why things happen and their consequences. Signal words: consequently, therefore, because, if.. then, as a result of

2) Compare and Contrast- Shows how things are similar or different from other concepts. Signal words: likewise, similarly, however, on the other hand

3) Enumeration (grouping or listing)- Ordered or numbered lists, usually separated by commas or bullets. Order does NOT matter. Signal words: first, second, last, finally

4) Sequencing or Chronological Order- Sequence of events in the order they happen. Order matters. Signal words: then, meanwhile, afterward, today, later

5) Concept and Definition- Explains or defines a concept. Signal words: refers to, thus, defined as

6) Process- Provides a set of directions on how to create something in order to arrive at the desired outcome. Example: How to make a paper crane with Origami. Signal words: first, next

7) Generalization- Supporting a topic or opinion with details and examples. Signal words: always, in fact

Match the following examples with each definition number from above.

A. __6__ Directions for mitosis (“begins with”, “in order to”)

B. __3__ The ingredients for big businesses (“one”, “third”)

C. __1__ An essay describing the sinking of the Lusitania and why the U.S. entered WWI (“as a

result of”, “consequently”)

D. __5__ An essay explaining what a monopoly is (“refers to”, “thus”)

E. __2__ An essay covering the differences and similarities between 6th and 7th grade (“similarly”,

“on the other hand”)

F. __4__ A timeline for the WWI. (“today”, “meanwhile”)

G. __7__ An expository essay about life of typical teenagers in the United States