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
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50 Comments

  1. Ali

     /  October 24, 2023

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    Reply
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     /  January 17, 2023

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  3. Monica Davis

     /  September 15, 2022

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     /  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……
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     /  March 25, 2019

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  10. lorna

     /  February 25, 2019

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    Reply
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     /  February 10, 2019

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     /  November 27, 2016

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  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
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     /  March 31, 2016

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  19. Grace A.

     /  December 15, 2015

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    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

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     /  October 26, 2015

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     /  August 18, 2015

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  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
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     /  October 9, 2014

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     /  July 27, 2013

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  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

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