Organizing Information Textbook Organization Organizational Patterns often indicate

Organizing Information

Textbook Organization: • Organizational Patterns often indicate the main idea. • Transition words (signal words) can indicate a particular pattern.

Transitional Words • Signal the levels of importance, a connection, or a direction of thought. • Are also called signal words. • Indicate the relationship of ideas.

Simple Listing • Items are randomly listed in a series of supporting facts or details. • Supporting elements are of equal value. • The order in which they are presented is of no importance. • Changing the order of the items does not change the meaning of the paragraph. • Use transitional words such as in addition, also, another, several, for example, a number of.

Definition • The concept is defined initially. • Then it is expanded with examples and restatements. • A defined term is usually signaled by italicized or boldfaced type.

Description • Description is similar to listing. • The characteristics are similar to a definition. • It is similar to a simple list of details.

Time Order, Sequence, or Narration Items are listed: • In the order in which they occurred (Ex: time order) • In a specifically planned order in which they must develop(Ex: narrative writing, tells a story)

Contrast With Contrast: • Items are presented according to differences between them. • Signal words include: – different – in contrast – on the other hand – but – however – bigger than

Comparison • Items are presented according to similarities among them. • Signal words include: – similar – in the same way – parallels

Comparison & Contrast • This combines both comparisons and contrasts together into a single paragraph.

Cause and Effect • An element is shown as producing another element. • One is the cause or the “happening. ” • The other is the particular result or effect produced by the cause.

Classification • This is used to simplify a complex topic. • Information is divided into a certain number of groups or categories. • The divisions are named. • The parts are explained. • Signals words include: – – – two divisions three groups four elements five classes six levels seven categories

Summary • A summary comes at the end of an article or chapter • It condenses the main idea into a short concluding statement. • Signal words include: – – – in conclusion briefly to sum up in short in a nutshell.

Location or Spatial Order • This identifies the whereabouts of a place or object. • Signal words are: – – – – north next to near below close by within around

Generalization and Example • A general statement or conclusion is supported with specific examples. • Signal words include: – – – to restate that is for example to illustrate for instance

Mixed Organizational Patterns • Often articles have an overall pattern with individual paragraphs having a different pattern.