Organizational Patterns- Identifying Text Structure

The test structure If the author wants you to Key Words or Transitions:
will be: know:
Cause-Effect How or why an event happened; Resulting in, Because of this,
what resulted from an event Consequently, Accordingly
Chronological The order of events, or steps in a First, Second, Third, After, Initially,
order/ Sequencing process Previously, etc.; Years in every
paragraph (two dates does not mean
the article uses this pattern)
Compare/ contrast How two or more things are alike Likewise, Similarly, in contrast, Even
or different though, On the other hand
Description/ How something looks, works, etc., Identify, Generally, Consists of, To
Categorization a definition or characterization illustrate
Problem-Solution Whats wrong and how to fix it (A call to action) Challenges, Dilemma,
Obstacles, One solution, The problem
facing, To overcome this, What was
discovered
Position-Reason Why a point or idea should be For this reason, It can be established,
supported; whats wrong with an It will be argued, Must, Need, Should,
idea Therefore, This view is supported by,
Order of Importance A series of ideas listed according Five Ways to Flunk a Test Hierarchy,
to their value Least of all, Most importantly, Of
lesser importance, Priority, The three
most, The top ten, etc.