COMMON THOUGHT PATTERNS ADAPTED FROM ACADEMIC READING FIFTH

COMMON THOUGHT PATTERNS ADAPTED FROM: ACADEMIC READING, FIFTH EDITION BY KATHLEEN T. MCWHORTER

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: • To recognize common academic thought patterns • To use thought patterns to focus your reading © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

RECOGNIZING ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS • By identifying the pattern of a paragraph, it becomes more meaningful and easier to remember. • Once you recognize a pattern, its organization becomes familiar and predictable. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

COMMON PATTERNS • Definition • Cause and effect • Classification • Comparison and Contrast • Order or sequence • Listing/enumeration © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

DEFINITION PATTERN • This pattern is common in most textbooks to help define specialized vocabulary of the subject. • Clue Words: – is – means – refers to – can be defined as © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

CLASSIFICATION PATTERN • This pattern divides a topic into parts on the basis of common or shared characteristics (i. e. , movies: comedy, horror, mystery, romance). • Clue Words: – several kinds – numerous types – classified as © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

ORDER OR SEQUENCE PATTERN • Chronological Order • Process • Order of Importance • Spatial Order • Clue Words: primary, first, last, lower, outer, next, primarily © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

WHICH TYPE OF ORDER OR SEQUENCE ARE THE FOLLOWING? • Several statistical procedures are used to track the changes in the divorce rate. • The spinal cord is located within the spinal column; it looks like a section of rope or twine. • The transition from medieval to modern societies occurred from approximately 1400 to 1800. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

CAUSE AND EFFECT PATTERN • This pattern is used in the sciences, technologies, and social sciences to show a cause/effect relationship. • Clue Words: – causes – creates – leads to – results in © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

COMPARISON AND CONTRAST PATTERN • This pattern emphasizes similarities and differences and is often used in the social sciences, literature, and business. • Clue Words: – – similarities resembles differences unlike, like © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

LISTING/ENUMERATION PATTERN • This pattern gives information on a topic by listing or step by step and is used in most college textbooks. • Clue Words: – – a second feature also one, two, three in addition © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

MIXED PATTERNS • Thought patterns are often combined. • Look for patterns as you read or take notes. • Academic thought patterns are useful in organizing and answering essay questions and writing term papers. © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers

OTHER COMMONLY USED THOUGHT PATTERNS • Statement and Clarification • Summary • Generalization and Example • Addition © 2004 Pearson Education, Inc. , publishing as Longman Publishers