Organizational Patterns

What are organizational patterns?

• the way an author organizes a text to get their message across to the reader
• plot development
• sequence of events
• the point of view from which a text is written

Too Much of a Good Thing?

Antibiotics are chemicals that are used to treat infections. These work by killing the bacteria that cause the infection. Recently, doctors are facing new problems because of antibiotics. It might be a problem they have helped create. Doctors have been prescribing antibiotics too often. People are also using them more than they should. More and more people use antibiotics for colds and common illnesses. Since people get these common illnesses often, they use antibiotics more than they should.

When people use antibiotics too often, they can develop new strains of bacteria. These bacteria can be tough to treat. This is because of bacterial resistance. The chemicals cannot react to the bacteria as they should. Such bacteria need higher and stronger doses of chemicals. At one point, the chemicals stop having any effect on the bacteria.

Today, doctors have found bacteria that are not affected by some of the most powerful antibiotics available. Having to use strong chemicals for common illnesses is also a tough situation. This may start as a small problem and become a bigger medical situation. Many diseases have already become more difficult to treat. Some examples of such diseases are infections of the ear, sinuses, or skin; Meningitis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. Isn't it about time we start thinking about what we easily put into our bodies?

Q. Which text structure did the writer use to develop this passage?

• chronological order

• compare and contrast

• listing

• cause and effect

First, take the freeway to Dorman. When you reach Dorman, take the Ronaldine Exit. As you exit, take an immediate right onto Big Sur. Go down two blocks. Then, take a right on Coleman. My house, #3097, will be on the left.What is this passage's organizational structure?

• problem and solution

• sequential order

• compare and contrast

• cause and effect

Bad drivers are responsible for more accidents on the road. Car insurance companies can raise their rates due to the increase of wrecks. New traffic laws are passed because of the behavior of dangerous drivers. What is the organizational structure?

• cause and effect
• sequential order
• question and answer
• classification

Writers let us know what is important in their writing. Words such as: "first," "next," or "last," tell us the order in which events happen. Paragraphs that rely on chronological order use what organizational structure?

• question and answer
• sequential order
• compare and contrast
• cause and effect

Josephina has to describe a square and a triangle. Her teacher told her to write a paragraph about how the two shapes are alike and how they are different. What form should the paragraph take?

• question and answer
• sequential order
• cause and effect
• compare and contrast

Sharks and dolphins look very similar. They have fins, mouths with teeth, and their skin feels the same. They both live in the ocean. They both also eat smaller fish.  However, they are different in many, many ways. For instance, a dolphin is a mammal (like a human). It breathes air through its blowhole and can drown if it doesn't surface to breathe. A shark doesn't have to surface. It has gills that turn water into oxygen. Also, sharks are not mammals. They are fish. What other differences can you think of between sharks and dolphins?How does this author organize this passage?

• problem and solution
• sequential order
• compare and contrast
• classification

Which organizational pattern starts at the beginning of a story and goes to the end?

• cause and effect

• problem and solution

• chronological order

Which is NOT a signal word for chronological order?

• first

• later

• however

Which pattern would we use if we wanted to discuss how pizza and spaghetti are different and similar?

• chronological order

• cause and effect

• compare and contrast