TYPES OF
ORGANIZATIONAL
PATTERNS
NONFICTION TEXT UNIT
ORGANIZATIONAL
PATTERNS IN TEXT
• Affect our purpose for reading
• Affect the way we summarize
NONFICTION TEXT
Text that is true.
INFORMATIONAL/EXP
OSITORY
Author’s Purpose may be: to
inform, explain, persuade,
support, describe or to identify
something to the reader.
CAUSE/EFFECT
Cause
Because of
Effect
this was the result
• Relationship between two or
more events/ things.
• One brings about the other.
CAUSE/EFFECT
Cause
Because of
Effect
this was the result
• 1st event is the cause
• 2nd event is the effect
• Signal Words:
• Because, since, so that, as a result of, if…
then, may be due to, this led to, consequently
PROBLEM/SOLUTION
Problem #1
Solution
Author
identifies a
problem and
offers one or
more possible
solutions.
PROBLEM/SOLUTION
Signal Words:
Problem #1
Solution
• Problem,
trouble,
difficulty,
challenge, one
answer is, the
question is, a
solution is, one
reason for the
problem, plan
COMPARE/CONTRAST
A
Different
A&B
Same
B
Different
Focus on similarities and differences.
COMPARE/CONTRAST
A
Different
A&B
Same
B
Different
Signal Words:
• Different from, same as, either… or, on the other
hand, similar to, compared with, while, yet, as well
as, both, otherwise, instead of, however, not only…
but also
CHRONOLOGICAL OR
SEQUENTIAL ORDER
1st
2nd
3rd
Often historical recordings of events/
details in time order.
CHRONOLOGICAL OR
SEQUENTIAL ORDER
1st
2nd
3rd
Signal Words:
• On (date), in (date), timeline, later,
after, before, preceding, not long after,
following, when, first, finally
DESCRIPTION OR
INFORMATIONAL
Creates a mental image/ picture by using
sensory words, figurative language and
vivid, precise words.
Signal Words:
• To illustrate, sensory words (taste,
sight, sound, touch, smell), figurative
language and unique, precise word
choice
WRITE THESE NOTES AT
THE BOTTOM OF THE
PAGE:
HOW TO:
Gives information on how to do or
perform something.
Signal Words:
• First, next, last, finally, then