Pasadena City College

Writing Center
English 901

READING LESSON THREE

1.3 Patterns of Organization
A. Patterns of Organization Definitions
Patterns of organization are the logical arrangement of ideas in a paragraph or
essay. These patterns originated centuries ago in medieval modes of rhetoric or
forms of argument that were taught in grammar schools, secondary schools, and
universities. Students were taught these modes for the purpose of explaining
ideas or making convincing arguments.
These patterns of organization, or forms of argument, include definition and
example, time, comparison and contrast, cause and effect, process,
classification, problem and solution, and list of items. This list is only a
sampling; it does not include all possible patterns.
Here is a brief definition of each mode listed above.
Definition and Example A definition pattern of organization focuses on
making the meaning of a particular word or phrase clear, definite, and
distinct. To define means to give a formal statement of a particular word or
phrase. The definition and example pattern uses examples to illustrate and
to clarify the word or phrase that is being defined. For example, the word
ecosystem can be defined as the interaction of a community of organisms
with its environment. Common examples of natural ecosystems might be
a tropical rain forest, coral reefs, or the desert.
Time A time order pattern of organization is structured according to a
time line of events that follow one another. For example, Pasadena City
Colleges academic calendar is based in a time order pattern. The
calendar lists the first day of the semester, the last day to add a class,
mid-term exam dates, the last date to drop a class, the last day of classes,
the final exam dates, etc.

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Comparison and Contrast - A comparison and contrast pattern

examines two or more things or ideas in relationship to each other. This
pattern may include both similarities (comparison) and differences
(contrast). The comparison and contrast pattern is often used in essay
exams. For example, a professor might ask a student to discuss both the
similarities and differences between two war films, such as Full Metal
Jacket and War Horse.
Cause and Effect A cause and effect pattern of organization
considers both the forces leading up to an action, phenomenon, or
condition (the causes) and the consequences or results of a particular
action, phenomenon, or condition (the effects).
Cause -------------ACTION-----------Effect
A cause and effect pattern is also commonly used in essay exams. One
example of a cause and effect essay question might be a question such
as this: what caused the severity of the damage of Hurricane Sandy in
October of 2012, and what effects did this Superstorm have on the coast
of the Northeastern United States?
Process A process pattern of organization considers the exact steps by
which something changes or develops over time, leading to a specific
result. For example, the life cycle of a butterfly is an example of a process
order. The butterfly must move though the stages of egg, caterpillar, and
chrysalis before it becomes an adult butterfly. The phases of the moon,
the steps in baking chocolate cookies, and the procedure for registration
at PCC are all examples of a process order. Although these processes all
happen in time, because they describe the process by which something
changes over time, these examples all represent a process order.
Classification A classification pattern of organization aims at
separating and distinguishing different categories within one group of data
or phenomenon. To classify, then, means to assign data to classes or
categories. Classification is commonly used in science, for example to
identify the different species of birds. However, classification is an activity
frequently used on a daily or weekly basis when individuals review their

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English 901

expenses for the week and divide them into food, transportation, clothing,
rent, entertainment, business, etc.
Problem and Solution A problem and solution pattern of organization
consists of identifying and explaining a problem or unresolved issue and
then proposing a solution or resolution. One serious problem today that
needs a resolution might be the mounting burden of college student loan
debt. Possible solutions might include lowering college tuition, increasing
financial aid, or lowering interest rates on student loans.
List of Items A list of items pattern of organization focuses on
identifying and cataloguing reasons, statistics, examples, advantages, etc.
without any particular order. A grocery list is a good example. A list, such
as cheese, milk, apples, chicken, asparagus, oranges, etc., doesnt have
any particular structure. The items are merely written down in whatever
order the list-maker thinks of them. A list pattern works well for certain
kinds of questions, such as cataloguing and identifying reasons, elements,
advantages, disadvantages, ingredients, etc. One question requiring a list
of items order might be the following: what advantages does pre-school
education offer to a child for future academic success?
B. Identifying patterns of organization in Amy Chuas and Jed Rubenfelds
article, What Drives Success?
Please lightly re-read the article What Drives Success? in order to identify
examples of four different paragraphs that each illustrate one distinct pattern from
the list below:

Definition and example

List of items
Comparison and/or Contrast
Cause and/or Effect

Please list here the paragraph numbers of your chosen paragraphs and the
patterns of organization that each one demonstrates.

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Pattern of Organization
1.

Definition and example

Paragraph Number in What Drives

Success?
_________1_____________

2.

Comparison and/or contrast

_5_____________________

3.

Cause and/or effect

_______9_______________

4.

List of items

____5__________________

C. Paragraph Exercise
Choose ONE of the main ideas of the article What Drives Success? that you
listed in section B of Annotation Lesson 1.1.
Next, write one paragraph (8-10 sentences) in which you develop or explain the
main idea you chose from What Drives Success? by using one of the following
patterns of organization: definition and/or example; comparison and/or contrast;
cause and/or effect; list of items. Please paraphrase any ideas or examples from
the essay in your own words although you may also include your own examples
to develop the main idea from Chuas and Rubensteins essay. Close the
paragraph with a concluding sentence.
If you cant find one of the main ideas you listed in section 1.2 (B) of Annotation
Lesson Two that will work for your paragraph, you may choose one of the topics
listed below.
1. You might define Triple Package nation, giving contemporary
examples of triple package ethnic, religious, and national origin groups
that Chua and Rubenfeld identify in their essay.
2. You might list the specific beliefs that different groups have about their
own superiority that Chua and Rubenfeld discuss in their essay.

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3. You might develop a paragraph detailing the effects on minority groups

of being outsiders in society. Again, you must identify the effects that Chua
and Rubenfeld discuss in their essay.
4. You might develop a paragraph in response to the question: what
factors can sap from a group the cultural forces that propel success?
5. You might compare and/or contrast the effects of high self-esteem
versus the effects of inferiority on a groups drive for success, according
to the points Chua and Rubenfeld discuss in their article.
__Minorities usually have a harder time finding a place or a job in the U.S. but
they always come for the chance that they would not have had in their country.
Chua and Rubenfeld show that minorities have a harder time adjusting and fitting
in to their own beliefs. Most suffer from feelings of inadequacy and are even
turned to therapy. They tell that parents sometimes having doubts and
insecurities of their own, deliberately instill that in their children. Feeling like
outsiders immigrants worry about whether they can survive in a strange land.
Newcomers may face derision or hostility because of their religions or just simply
because they are new. Also, impulse controls and their own cultures could
prohibit them from doing things others might do because it contradicts with their
beliefs that the parents were taught as children. Chua and Rubenfeld write how
the biggest effect minorities have in new societies is simply adjusting their lives to
cope and maybe blend in or change to whatever is
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