Organizational Text Patterns, Part 2

RDNG 0361

Used to inform readers about a topic by presenting information though events or steps in a chronological order using time.

Transition/Signal WordsFirst, second next not long

afterInitially then beforeFollowing when finallyPreceding after on (date)

Chronological

Kate Barlow preserved peaches which lasted for years, and you can too if you follow these few simple steps. First check the jars for cracks or chips. Second place the lids in boiling water to sterilize. While the lids boil, wash the jars and rings in hot, soapy water. Next place the boiling hot peaches and syrup into the hot, sterilized jars. As soon as the jar is full within a half inch of headspace wipe the rim of the jar clean. Immediately cap the jar with the hot lid. Next place the jar in a steamer. After steaming for twenty minutes remove the jar from the steam bath. Once the jar has cooled you can store it until needed. The peaches will stay fresh for several years

Chronological

• First event• Check the jar for cracks and chips

• Second event• Place the lid in boiling water

• Third event• Place the boiling peaches in sterilize jar

E.g. Reference manual E.g. Accident Report

Chronological

Demonstrates that certain steps must be followed in a specific order for it to make sense.

Time Sequence or Process Order

Initially Then Followed by

Whereby the author lists items in order

Example:◦ Think of it like a grocery list, it doesn’t matter what order

you get it in, as long as you get all the items◦ Simple list should always be your last choice

Transition/Signal Words◦ Also, another, in addition, first, second, third, for

example; punctuation◦ (bullets, dashes, numbers-1-2-3, letters a-b-c)

Simple Listing

Allows for authors to describe or make points about something using three dimensional space.

Spatial Order (location)

"Far to his left, in the northeast, beyond the valley and the terraced foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental, the two volcanoes, Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl, rose clear and magnificent into the sunset. Nearer, perhaps ten miles distant, and on

a lower level than the main valley, he made out the village of Tomalín, nestling behind the jungle, from which rose a thin blue scarf of illegal smoke, someone

burning wood for carbon. Before him, on the other side of the American highway, spread fields and groves, through which meandered a river, and the

Alcapancingo road."(Malcolm Lowry, Under the Volcano, 1947)

Statement with examples designed to illustrate or clarify the statement.

Transition/Signal Words:◦ For example◦ For instance◦ That is◦ Thus◦ To illustrate◦ As demonstrated

Generalization & Example

Example: Food labels provide important information. For example, the label on Sara Lee wheat bread states that one slice of bread equals 70 calories.

Example: Generalization & Example

Statement of fact with discussion intended to make that statement clear◦ Use the clarification to help understand the

statement and the author’s purpose.

Transition Words:◦ Obviously◦ Of course◦ too

Statement and Clarification

Noise is much more than just an annoyance. In fact, noise can be a type of pollution that produces serious hearing impairments, prevents people from getting adequate rest, contributes to high blood pressure, interferes with productivity, and reduces our overall quality of life.*

Notice the author makes a statement and the sentences that follow are all clarification to the first statement made.

* Noise pollution Clearinghouse, http:www.nonoise.org

Example of Statement & Clarification