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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