Organizational Structure of a Paragraph

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

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

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

After the school fire, there was a lot of damage. Our computer lab was a total loss. So we put on a fund-raising carnival the next Saturday. We used all the money to buy new computers!

The organizational structure of this paragraph is…

• compare / contrast

• chronological

• problem / solution

• cause / effect

Charlie went to the store, and bought a box of cookies. Then he walked home and shared the cookies with his friend Tom. After that, Tom was happy, and he gave Charlie a ball. Finally, Charlie went home to show his ball to his brother.

 The organizational structure of this paragraph is…

• compare / contrast

• chronological

• problem / solution

• cause / effect

In 1987, Mr. Mizell was born.  He grew up in Texas, and then he moved to Nashville, TN.  He got married last year, and now he is working at Margaret Allen Middle School.

 The organizational structure of this paragraph is…

• compare / contrast

• description

• problem / solution

• chronological / sequence

Because I slipped in the hallway, I broke my arm.  Since I broke my arm, I got a cast, and because I got a cast, all my friends helped me more.

 The organizational structure of this paragraph is…

• cause / effect

• description

• problem / solution

• chronological / sequence

What is the primary purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?

• A) To introduce the main idea

• B) To provide supporting details

• C) To conclude the paragraph

• D) To ask a question

Which of the following is an example of a transitional phrase used to show contrast in a paragraph?

• A) In addition

• B) For example

• C) On the other hand

• D) As a result

In a paragraph organized by cause and effect, which of the following words would you most likely find?

• A) Similarly

• B) Consequently

• C) Firstly

• D) Meanwhile