Patterns of Organization & Outlining

Common Patterns of Organization

Topical/Definition Comparison-Contrast Problem-Solution

Process/Chronological Cause-Effect Listing

Topical/Definition (Most Common)

Main Idea: Presents, explains, or defines a topic, fact, concept. (consist of, refers to, etc.)

I. Main Point 1
a. Example/detail/explanation
b. Example/detail/explanation
II. Main Point 2
a. Example/detail/explanation
b. Example/detail/explanation

Process/Chronological - Signal Words and Phrases

Main Idea: Describes a sequence of steps/events

Process:
 Words that refer to a process (description of process, instructions for how to do/make
something, how something happens, etc.)
 Words that tell the order of a process (first, next, then, after that, while, finally, etc.)
Chronological:
 Words or phrases referring to a date or period of time (In 1985, during the Holocaust,
was born, died, yesterday, in later years, at six o’clock, etc.)
 Words or phrases that refer to a person’s age or life stage (during his/her childhood,
throughout his/her career, at the age of 3, etc.)

Process:
I. Step: Harvest the olives
a. Harvesting procedure 1
b. Harvesting procedure 2
II. Step 2: Prepare the olives
a. Preparation step 1
b. Preparation step 2
Chronological:
I. Year(s)/Time: 1930-1950/Childhood
a. Significant event/detail 1
b. Significant event/detail 2
II. Year(s)/Time: 1950-1955/University
a. Significant event/detail 1
b. Significant event/detail 2
Comparison-Contrast - Signal Words and Phrases

Main Idea: Introduces two items to be compared/contrasted (both) (The pattern for
Advantage-Disadvantage is similar to Comparison-Contrast.)

Supporting Details

 Words that show similarity (alike, like, similarly, also, both, in the same way, etc.)
 Words that show difference or contrast (unlike, but, however, although, whereas, on
the other hand, rather, etc.)
 Comparatives (more/less (than), less expensive, more cost effective, easier than, etc)
 Advantage-Disadvantage (one advantage, a disadvantage, etc.)

I. Cost of Tuition I. Points of Comparison I. Advantages

a. Two-year a. Educational programs a. Cost
b. Four-year b. Cost of tuition b. Accessibility
II. Quality of Education II. Point of Contrast II. Disadvantages
a. Two-year a. Quality of education a. Number of educational
b. Four-year b. Type of degree programs
b. Quality of instruction

Cause-Effect - Signal Words and Phrases

Main Idea: States that something is caused by or causes something else and explains the
effects.

Supporting Details

 When the cause comes first (so, help, stop, start, become, create, make, produce,
change, damage, affect, influence, increase, bring about, contribute, result in, reason
for, have an effect on, (be) a factor, cause, make, lead to, encourage, give rise to, etc.)
 When the effect comes first (because (of), due to, be caused by, be the reason for, be
the effect of, be made by, be the consequence of, result from, follow, etc.)

I. Cause 1
a. Effect 1
b. Effect 2
II. Cause 1
a. Effect 1
b. Effect 2
Problem-Solution - Signal Words and Phrases

Main Idea: Presents a problem and gives solutions to the problem.

Supporting Details
 Words that indicate a problem (situation, trouble, crisis, issue, question, dilemma, etc.)
 Words that indicate a solution (solve, resolve, resolution, decide, etc.)
I. Problem
a. Example/reason for problem
b. Example/reason for problem
II. Solution
a. Support for solution
b. Support for solution

Listing - Signal Words and Phrases

Main Idea: Introduces an idea supported by reasons/facts/examples (several, three, a lot, lots
of, some, a few, a number of, various)

Supporting Details: first, third, one, another, in addition, last, finally, and, also, for example, for
instance

Main Idea/Thesis Statement

I. Reason 1
a. Example
b. Example
II. Reason 2
a. Example
b. Example