PATTERN OF ORGANIZATION

PAT T E R N O F
O R G A N I Z AT I O N

You may be able to predict the structure or pattern of the

information that you will be reading.

Recognizing the pattern of organization is an important part of

reading comprehension, for writers use patterns to present their
ideas in a way that makes sense. Once you recognize the
pattern, you will understand and follow their ideas more
efficiently.
LISTING
 LISTING

Making a list of different things that are related to one

point.
The things are listed in whatever order the author prefers.

There are many new paintings in Linda’s new house.

The kitchen in Linda’s new house has many problems.

 There are many different kinds of pollution. One kind is air
pollution. This usually is problem over cities. Water pollution is
another problem. It is found in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Also,
pollution of the earth is sometimes a problem near farms. Finally,
there is even noise pollution, especially in crowded cities.
DEFINITION
 DEFINITION

Definition tells what a word or idea means—what it is. Definitions

include the term being taught and a description of its meaning.

 By simplest definition, health means being sound in body, mind,
and spirit. The World Health Organization defines health as “not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity,” but “a state of complete
physical, mental, and social well-being,” Health is the process of
discovering, using, and protecting all the resources within our
bodies, minds, spirits, families, communities, and environments.

—Hales, An Invitation to Health, 12th edition

C O M PA R I S O N
 C O M PA R I S O N

Comparisons show how two things are similar. Contrasts show how

they are different. Sometimes the word comparison is used more

generally to indicate both of these moves.

Reading Strategy for Comparison and Contrast

Mentally or on paper, form two lists, one for each item being compared or

contrasted. As the author gives each piece of information for an item,

place it in the appropriate list.

 INSTAGRAM AND TIK TOK ARE QUITE
SIMILAR , BUT THEY ALSO HAVE SOME
DIFFERENCES

Instagram Ti k To k

a. Photos and videos Video

b. b.
c. C
d.
 Despite their obvious differences, books and movies can both
affect the reader or moviegoer profoundly. The reader can “overhear”
the inner voice of a character in a book. Reading this internal dialogue
helps the reader understand and feel the emotions of that character in a
way that is not usually available in real life. Similarly, the moviegoer
sees a rich visual landscape that suggests the emotional context of the
character’s life. The creators of books and movies alike do their best
to help readers and viewers identify with the main character. Then
they will be able to relate to the character’s problems, since they will
CAUSE- EFFECT
 CAUSE- EFFECT

Cause-and-effect paragraphs may focus on the causes of an event, in

which case they answer a question such as “What made this
happen?”
or “What’s the reason this occurred?” When they focus on the effects
that came about because of something else that happened, a cause-
and effect paragraph answers a question like “What does this lead
to?” or
“What is the result of this action?”
 MEDICAL BILLS CAUSE MOST
BANKRUPTCIES

Nearly two out of three bankruptcies stem from medical bills, and
even people with health insurance face financial disaster if they
experience a serious illness, a new study shows. The study data,
published online Thursday in The American Journal of Medicine, likely
understate the full scope of the problem because the data were collected
before the current economic crisis. In 2007, medical problems
contributed to 62.1 percent of all bankruptcies. Between 2001 and 2007,
the proportion of all bankruptcies caused by medical problems rose by
about 50 percent.
TIME ORDER
 N A R R AT I O N

One kind of time order is called narration (also called

“story”). In narrative writing, the author uses time order to
show what events a person or character experiences.

Reading Strategy for Time Order: Narration

As you read, mentally place the events the author is narrating

on a time line!
 Everything changed when Alice was laid off, after her company was
sold. First, she grieved. Then she picked up the pieces and went into job-
search mode. . . . She ended up taking a job, but the price was a $20,000
salary cut, one-third of her former earnings. The PR job didn’t work out,
but it did teach her about her psychological makeup. When her
supervisor let her go, “it was, like, ‘Fine, I’m on unemployment, don’t
bother me for a while. I need to think, about what I want and what I
need.’” So she did a little networking, made some contacts, and began
freelancing for an advertising company.
 PROCESS

In process writing, the author tells readers what steps need to

occur to achieve a goal, and in what order.

Reading Strategy for Time Order: Process

To keep the order of events clear as you read, mentally fill in

the events on a generalized time line.
 CRIME-SCENE INVESTIGATION OF
BLOOD

In an attempt to hide evidence of a violent crime, a perpetrator may try to

remove blood evidence by cleaning the area. Although a room may look perfectly
clean and totally free of blood after a thorough washing of the walls and floor,
blood evidence still remains. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, the iron-
bearing protein that carries oxygen. To detect hemoglobin, an investigator’s first
step is to mix Luminol powder with hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. The
mixture is then sprayed on the area to be examined for blood. The iron from the
hemoglobin, acting as a catalyst, speeds up the reaction between the peroxide and
the Luminol. As the reaction progresses, light is generated for about 30 seconds
on the surface of the blood sample.

—Bertino, Forensic Science: Fundamentals and Investigations

 REFERENCES

Dole, Ivan & Leslie Taggart. 2012. Activate: College Reading. USA:
Wardsworth Publishing.
Juzwiyak, Chris. 2012. Stepping Stones: A Guided Approach to Writing
Sentences and Paragraph, Second edition. Bedford/ St. Martin’s.
Alice Oshima and Ann Hogue. 2007. Introduction to Academic Writing, 3 rd
edition. Pearson-Longman.
Mickulecky, Beatrice S. & Linda Jeffries. 2007. Advanced Reading power:
Extensive Reading, Vocabulary Building, Comprehension Skill, Reading
Faster. Pearson- Longman.
Towsend Press youtube channel