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Choosing a Pattern of Organization

Another part of planning is deciding how you will organize the details in your writing. Sometimes, a pattern of organization is built into the assignment. For example, if you are writing a narrative paragraph, you will organize your details by time. See more patterns below.

Time Order (chronological)

when sharing a story or explaining a process

first, second, third, next

Order of Location (spatial)

when describing people, places, and things

above, below, to the left, under, on, behind

Order by Examples

when identifying examples or types

one, also, another example

Cause-Effect Order

when explaining causes and effects

the main cause is, since, the main effect is, then

Comparison-Contrast

when comparing or contrasting two topics