Organization in Writing

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

• cause and effect

• problem and solution

• chronological order

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

If you read a passage that describes how to resolve a dilemma, what type of organizational pattern is it?

• cause and effect

• problem and solution

• compare and contrast

Which organizational pattern puts things in order based on how to do something?

• chronological order

• compare and contrast

• sequence order

If I want to explain why something happens, I should use which type of organizational pattern?

• cause and effect

• compare and contrast

• problem and solution

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