Name :________________________________________________ Date: ________________________ Hour: _________________
Organizing Paragraphs with Style!
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Chronological- organized based on time/ sequence of events
Step-by-Step- shows the order of a process
Key Points- meant to answer questions for the audience with major details.
Compare/Contrast-lists or combines two topics to show similarities or differences
Most Important to Least Important- tries to show most important topic first
Main Idea and Support- the focus is on a single topic with reasons explaining it
Directions: Using the six types of organization, choose the most appropriate pattern for the topics. Write your
letter A-F on the line. Be prepared to explain why you chose each pattern.
A. Step-by-Step
B. Comparison Contrast
C. Most Important to Least Important
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
D. Main Idea and Support
E. Chronological Order
F. Key Points
a brochure of things to do at an amusement park
description of how to set up a tent
a history of your town- how it began, how it has changed
an article on how having pet cats is different from having pet dogs
a newspaper story on a bank robbery
an opinion paper on why we should have recess in Junior High
Directions: First, underline the thesis statement in each paragraph. Next, identify which style of organization
each paragraph uses. After identifying the organizational style, explain WHY that style is the most appropriate.
The Panthers have won again! It is no surprise the Panthers defeated their rivals at yesterday’s game
because of the training they have been completing with their coach. Together with their teamwork and their
toughness, the training helped to prepare the Panthers for last night’s game. The Panther players should be
treated with respect and praise in honor of their achievement.
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Mrs. Jillian is the best school counselor because of her caring manner. Mrs. Jillian never argues or yells.
She is always smiling. If you are feeling down, this counselor will do everything she can to make you feel
better. Her sweet nature is a balm to all bruised feelings. I don’t think there is anyone better suited to being a
counselor than Mrs. Jillian.
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Name______________________________ Date_____________________________ Hour_________
Math is one of Jim’s most difficult subjects because he couldn’t seem to understand how fractions
worked. In order to improve his grade, Jim decided to ask his mom for help. She said that she would be willing
to work with him at home. He also thought that maybe after-school tutoring with a 9th grader might help him
understand fractions better. He wondered what else he could do to improve his math grade.
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I have had a fantastic day; it has been filled with many happy surprises. First, mom surprised me with
pancakes shaped like Mickey Mouse. Then, my first hour teacher showed a movie. Lunch was my favorite
meal: chicken fried steak. Finally, after school at cheerleading practice I successfully completed a double
handspring! Today has been so amazing, I can’t wait for what tonight has in store at the football game!
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Sports are fantastic activities. Two of the best sports are baseball and cross country track because, even
though they have differences, both allow for the players to highlight their skills. For both sports you have to
have a lot of endurance. Although in baseball you get to work with a team and in cross country track you are by
yourself. Baseball requires a lot of eye-hand coordination whereas cross-country requires a lot of training. I
think if I had to choose a sport I would choose baseball so I could play with my friends.
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It is important to follow the several steps to writing a good solid thesis statement. You must first have a
solid topic sentence. After the topic sentence you need to have three facts that support the idea in your topic
sentence. Once you have written a solid topic sentence and three supporting sentences you need to wrap up the
ideas in your paragraph by including a conclusion sentence. Together, the topic, supporting, and conclusion
sentences make a cohesive paragraph.
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Check your work! After checking these three boxes, then turn in your assignment.
o Do you have an underlined thesis for each introductory paragraph?
o Have you identified an organizational style for each paragraph?
o Have you explained why the paragraph fits that type of organization?
Name____________________________________________________
Hour____________
Date__________________
Total Points possible: 30
Points per question: 5
Correct labeling of style: 2 pts
Accurate explanation of why each label fits: 2 pts
Underlining the correct thesis statement: 1 pt.
Key:
7) Most Important to Least Important
a. It is no surprise the Panthers defeated their rivals at yesterday’s game because of the
training they have been completing with their coach.
8) Key Points
a. Jill is the best school counselor because of her caring manner.
9) Main Idea and Support
a. Math is one of Jim’s most difficult subjects because he couldn’t seem to understand how
fractions worked.
10) Chronological
a. I have had a fantastic day; it has been filled with many happy surprises.
11) Compare/contrast
a. Two of the best sports are baseball and cross country track because, even though they have
differences, both allow for the players to highlight their skills.
12) Step-by-Step
a. It is important to follow the several steps to writing a good solid thesis statement. You must
first have a solid topic sentence.