Patterns of Organization

Text structure is how information is organized in writing. Text structures, or patterns of organization, not only vary from writing to writing, but text structures may also change frequently from paragraph to paragraph within a single piece of writing. Though not all text can fit snugly into one of the patterns of organizations explained in this website, the purpose of this website is to prepare students to identify text structure on standardized tests. Though requirements vary from state to state, in many states, students are required to accurately identify the text structure in specific passages. We will cover seven common types of patterns of organizations or text structures:

  1. Chronological
  2. Compare and Contrast
  3. Order of Importance
  4. Sequence
  5. Spatial
  6. Cause and Effect
  7. Problem and Solution

 

Here is a series of simple text structure worksheets. In this series, students are introduced to each pattern of organization.

Here is a series of more advanced text structure worksheets. These worksheets require students to know each pattern of organization and to be able to identify when each is used.

Common Core State Standards Related to Text Structure

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.5 – Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.

Expand to View All Common Core State Standards Related to Text Structure
ELA Standards: Informational Texts

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.5 – Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.5 – Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.5 – Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.5 – Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.5 – Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.5 – Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging.

View Source
Common Core Lesson and Unit Plans
Understanding Common Core State Standards

 

Text Structure Worksheets
Text Structure Activities
All Reading Worksheets

Still looking for something?
Search here.





Leave a comment

50 Comments

  1. Ali

     /  October 24, 2023

    This topic was helpful for me. Now I have an overview of how to manage my writing.

    Reply
  2. NIRALIBEN

     /  January 17, 2023

    good information to help study.

    Reply
  3. Monica Davis

     /  September 15, 2022

    I wish to thank you for the information and organized structure of your work in the teaching Reading and Writing.As a teacher of often struggling adult students, I have been able to use your work to advantage.
    Great Work!

    Reply
  4. Intan

     /  May 20, 2022

    Thank you for all the helpful and useful materials! I always use this website for my study purpose. All of the materials shared are high quality

    Reply
  5. Intan

     /  May 20, 2022

    Thank you for all the helpful and useful materials!

    Reply
  6. ana

     /  November 27, 2020

    I love you!

    Reply
  7. Jack Hartawan Djojosoemarto

     /  May 6, 2020

    I am an English learner from South East Asia. I found this website very helpful especially like me, a student.
    Thank you so much for making this website making learning material much more fun and affordable. I can’t afford it if it were commercial.
    Thank you a million

    Reply
  8. Amy Chrischilles

     /  April 24, 2019

    I’m looking for articles for RI7.9: Analyze how two or more authors write about the same topic in different ways……
    Please help.

    Reply
  9. Najwa Najjar

     /  March 25, 2019

    Thank you so much for the valuable information

    Reply
  10. lorna

     /  February 25, 2019

    It really helped a lot esp in preparing my worksheets.

    Reply
  11. Annette Duarte

     /  February 10, 2019

    You’re the best! Thanks for sharing! This is extremely valuable for educators!

    Reply
  12. manny miller

     /  October 10, 2018

    thank you, you come in clutch all the time

    Reply
  13. tyler h

     /  May 2, 2018

    dude i love you

    Reply
  14. Msafiri Hamisi

     /  August 20, 2017

    Thank you

    Reply
  15. Pavel

     /  November 27, 2016

    Super! Great! Thank you very much!

    Reply
  16. Ampomah Ofori

     /  November 26, 2016

    very helpful. But how my lecturer categorized was quit different, like this,
    a.simple listing includes;
    i. order of importance
    ii. spatial
    iii. chronological
    iv. enumeration(ordinal and cardinal)
    b. cause and effect
    c. compare and contrast
    d. problem and solution

    Reply
  17. Susan Ibale

     /  November 23, 2016

    Really helpful. Thanks!

    Reply
  18. ho lee fook

     /  March 31, 2016

    I like this

    Reply
  19. Grace A.

     /  December 15, 2015

    This really helped alot with study guides for English finals. I really wish I had found this site sooner. Amazing job on the site btw! Thnx again! :3

    Reply
  20. Andrew MacMillan

     /  December 11, 2015

    Im doing an arguement, and i cant figure out which oranization order to put it as it is about limiting ticket prices for sporting events which one should it go in?

    Reply
    • Well, it’s really up to you.

      You could do problem and solution, describing how some fans can’t afford seats and how price caps on tickets would solve that.

      Really, I don’t recommend that you visualize your argument in terms of patterns of organization.
      Just write your argument in a clear and logical way.

      Reply
  21. Matthew liter

     /  December 10, 2015

    Thank you for the very lovely information.

    Reply
  22. Patrice Cibangu

     /  December 6, 2015

    It’s an interesting site, for sure!

    Reply
  23. miranda

     /  October 26, 2015

    i helps a little but still having trouble with it

    Reply
  24. Ashley

     /  October 12, 2015

    thanks…!!!!!!

    Reply
  25. tianal

     /  October 2, 2015

    this is so wonderful 🙂

    Reply
  26. tiana:-)

     /  October 2, 2015

    this is a good strategy or whatever you wanna call it but its wonderful

    Reply
  27. Leah Wright

     /  September 17, 2015

    thanks i love this website!

    Reply
  28. aila

     /  August 18, 2015

    it helped me alot 🙂

    Reply
  29. diana

     /  May 25, 2015

    Thanks for helping

    Reply
  30. Erwin Comment

     /  March 23, 2015

    i coudnt find what i wanted but im writting an essay and dont know this question (what pattern will you use in your essay?)

    Reply
    • Well, an essay will most likely use many different patterns. In one paragraph you may compare and contrast two things. In another you may propose a solution to a problem. In yet another, you may describe a cause and effect or multiple causes and / or effects. The structure of a text will vary from paragraph to paragraph. A single paragraph may even use multiple structures.

      Reply
  31. abby

     /  October 9, 2014

    thanks this really helped me with my college work

    Reply
  32. abby

     /  October 9, 2014

    thanks this is really helping me with my college work.

    Reply
  33. alice

     /  September 28, 2014

    thanks for sharing,it is very helpful to me!

    Reply
  34. KING FRANCISCO

     /  April 25, 2014

    UMM… THIS WEB SITE HELPED ME ALOT THANX

    Reply
  35. Mason Waring

     /  January 15, 2014

    Love this website! Wish I would have found about this sooner.

    Reply
  36. Mary Ann Arboleda

     /  July 27, 2013

    thank you

    Reply
  37. THANK YOU!!!!

    Reply
  38. abberks

     /  October 17, 2012

    thanks for this post. it helped a lot for reference to my upcoming exam. =)

    Reply
  39. Jacky

     /  January 15, 2012

    Thank you! the videos are very informative!

    Reply
  40. Camila

     /  March 8, 2011

    Are you going to upload any worksheets and activities?

    Reply
    • Mr. Morton

       /  March 8, 2011

      Sorry for the unclear layout and thank you for bringing that to my attention. I think they’ll be easier to find now.

      Reply
  41. Lee Mina

     /  February 23, 2011

    Hello, I want to learn “patterns of organization” for my study.
    Please help me. ^^

    Reply
  42. Jenny De Castro

     /  February 16, 2011

    Great tool for students

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

By Using This Website You Agree to the Terms of Use and are aware of our privacy policy.