PARAGRAPH ORGANIZATION

Learning Objectives
By the end of this unit, the students are able to:
1. Understand and identify patterns of organization used for developing ideas in English.
2. Find main ideas and remember the important details.
3. Improve comprehension while reading.

LEAD - IN
Try to memorize all of the groups of numbers below. After sixty seconds, your teacher will tell
you to turn the page and write the numbers from your memory.
a. 26 17 1 14 8
b. 13 11 7 5 3
c. 1 3 5 7 9
d. 3 6 9 12 15
e. 8 17 22 29 30

Try to remember the groups of numbers. Do not look back. Write the numbers here.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

After you have written as many of the numbers as you can remember, look back and check
your work. Did you remember all of the groups of numbers? Which groups were the easiest to
remember? Did any of the groups have a pattern? What made the other groups difficult to
memorize?

PATTERNS OF ORGANIZATION IN ENGLISH TEXTS

1. Listing
2. Sequence
3. Comparison/Contrast
4. Cause/Effect
5. Problem/Solution
PATTERNS AND THEIR SIGNAL WORDS
1. Listing Pattern

In this pattern, the main idea is in the form of generalization and gives a list of
details to support the general statement. There are some signal words for the listing
pattern.
a few One the main and
several Another first also
numerous other(s) second too
many for example third in addition
a variety of for instance last besides

Example:
In the following paragraph, the signal words are underlined. Working with another
student, write the main idea on the lines below. Then write the appropriate details next
to each signal word.

In the past few years, scientists have found several new fuels to replace gasoline for
automobiles. One of these fuels is methanol, a form of wood alcohol. It can be used in
many cars in almost the same way that gasoline is used. Natural gas is another
alternative fuel for cars. However, cars that burn this fuel must be equipped with special
tanks of natural gas. A third alternative is electricity. Cars fueled by electricity have no
engine at all, though they do have to carry large batteries. A fourth new energy source,
and perhaps the most promising, is the hydrogen fuel cell. Hydrogen is available in
large quantities, and the fuel cell’s only emission is a small amount of water.
Main Idea:
_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Signal Words Details
One of these methanol
Another _____________________
A third _____________________
A fourth _____________________

The main idea statement for the paragraph in this example is Scientists have found
several new fuels to replace gasoline for automobiles. The writer used a signal word to
point to each of the details-the four new fuels that are mentioned: methanol, natural
gas, electricity, and hydrogen fuel cell.

2. Sequence

An explanation of the main idea uses a series of events or steps that follow one
after the other in time order. There are two kinds of materials organized in a sequence
pattern: events in time order (history, biography) and steps in a process (a scientific
experiment, directions for making something)

The important point is that an event happens in a certain order, and the writer uses signal
words to point to events or steps. Sequence signal words include:
before First at that time while at last
during at first Meanwhile since finally
 after in the beginning in the meantime later soon

Other signal words are dates, years, ages, times of day, seasons, and plain numbers.
Example:
a. Chronological order(time)

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the thirty-second president of the United States,

served this country for most of his life. He was the only president to be elected
four times. He was born in Hyde Park, New York, on January 30, 1882, and he
began his studies at Harvard in 1903. In 1905, he married Eleanor Roosevelt, a
distant cousin. During their marriage they had six children. After serving in the
New York State Senate, Mr. Roosevelt worked in Washington as Secretary of the
Navy until 1921. At that time, he became very ill with polio and lost the use of his
legs. In 1928, Mr. Roosevelt ran for governor of New York. After serving two
terms as governor, he was elected to the presidency in 1933. President Roosevelt
died in office on April 12, 1945.

Main Idea:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

Signal Words Events

January 30, 1882 He was born in Hyde Park, New York.
1903
1905
During
After
1921
At that time
In 1928
After
in 1933
April 12, 1945

b. Steps in a Process

Using a digital camera and a computer is an easy and enjoyable way to get
good photographs. First, you must install the computer program that is sold with
the camera so it will be ready to use. Then take some pictures. After that, connect
your camera to the computer using the cables provided with the camera. Next,
open the program on the computer and save the pictures on the hard drive or floppy
disk. At this point, you can edit them as desired, using the photo editing tools on
the program. You can make them lighter or darker, for example, or you can change
the size. Then be sure to save the edited photos, and finally, you are ready to print
them.
Main Idea:
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

Signal Words Steps

 First Install the computer program
Then
After that
Next
At this point
Then
finally

3. Comparison/Contrast

The main idea is a general statement about two things that are similar and/or
different. Specific details about similarities and/ or differences are given. In a
comparison, it explains both the similarities and the differences. In a contrast, it
explains only the differences.

Signal words for similarity:

also as Both in common
in the same like Same similarly
way

Signal words for difference:

although while different from more than
however rather Conversely less than
but instead in contrast earlier than
yet unlike on the other hand later than

Comparative forms of adjectives and adverbs are also used to signal differences
(older, faster). Sometimes, it is found that there are two signal words for the same
details. That is because a writer sometimes uses two signal words to make the sentence
flow more smoothly.
Example:
a. Comparison (Similarities and Differences)

The Ukrainian and Japanese cultures are generally very different, but they do have
one thing in common. They like to eat pastries filled with meat. The Ukrainian
pastries are called pilmeni and the Japanese pastries are called gyoza, but they are
remarkably similar. Both are made of pieces of flat pastry folded around a spicy meat
filling. In both countries, people usually eat their pastries with sauce. The Ukrainians
use sour cream and the Japanese use soy sauce.
Main Idea:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

Does this paragraph include similarities, differences, or both?

___________________
Signal Words Details
In common
Similar
Both
both
 b. Contrast (differences)

When the first baby arrives in a household, everything changes. In the past, the
parents needed an alarm clock in the morning, but now the baby decides when they
should wake up. Formerly, the parents spent their evening watching TV or reading,
but now all their free time is spent admiring their infant. In contrast to pre-baby days,
their life is more carefully planned. While they used to go out to see friends whenever
they wanted to, that is no longer possible. If they want to go out without the baby,
they must arrange for a babysitter. Unlike the neat and tidy rooms of the past, these
days their apartment is full of baby things. Their friends have been noticed a
difference in the topic of conversation: It’s always about the baby!
Main Idea:
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________

Signal Words Details

but in the past, needed alarm clock/now, baby wakes them
but
In contrast
While
Unlike
difference

4. Cause and Effect Pattern

The main idea of paragraph explains one event or action caused by another event
or action. Causes and effects are parts of our daily lives. Therefore, this pattern is used
often by writers of history books, science texts, and novels. It is important to recognize
the cause/effect patterns when you read, but it is sometimes more complicated than
some of the other patterns.
Example: What happened first? Next?
Steve forgot his umbrella this morning.
Steve got very wet from the rain.
Steve forgot his umbrella first. Then he got wet from the rain.

This is shown in the following diagram.

forgot umbrella got wet from the rain
(cause) (time passes) (effect)
However, a cause/effect sentence is not always written with the cause first!
a. Because Steve forgot his umbrella, he got wet from the rain.

(cause) (effect)

b. Steve got wet from the rain because he forgot his umbrella.

(cause) (effect)
In both sentence, because is the signal word. It says with the part of the sentence that
tells the cause, even if the cause comes after the effect in the sentence. In order to
 understand a cause/effect pattern, always ask, “What happened first?” Then you will
know the cause.

EXERCISE
A. Study the following pairs of words and phrases. In each pair, which comes first in
time? Which causes which? Working with another student, draw an arrow from the
cause to the effect in each pair.

Example:
Viruses infectious diseases
1. AIDS HIV
2. epidemics Bacteria
3. coughs colds and flu
4. improperly food and poisoning
5. slow infant development poor nutrition
6. skin cancer too much exposure to the sun
7. swimming in pools eat infection
8. heart trouble diet high in fat
9. lung cancer cigarette smoking
10. skiing broken leg

B. For each pair above, write a sentence. Use a cause/effect signal word based on the
directions below. Begin each sentence with the word or phrase in the left-hand column.

 If the arrow goes from left to right (→), use the following signal words. These words
are used in sentences where the cause comes first.

cause(s) lead(s) to is the cause of results in

creates Produces gives rise to brings about
makes Provokes contributes to
 If the arrow goes from right to left (←), use thr following cause/effect signal words.
These words are used in sentences where the effect comes first.

is due to is the result of come(s) from

results from is produced by is a consequence of
follows is caused by

When a certain effect sometimes happens, but not always, use “can” as the signal word,
as in the example below.
Example: Viruses can cause infectious diseases.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

5. Problem and Solution

 The main idea explains a statement of a problem and how it is solved. Everyday,
people face a variety of problems, small and large.
 Who will take care of our plants while we are out of town?

 How can we stop our neighbors from being noisy late at night?

 How can we pay the rent and pay our doctor bills?

The problem/solution pattern is important because it is found in almost every kind

of text: in science, history, and social science textbooks, and in novels, newspapers, and
magazines. In the problem/solution pattern, the topic sentence usually states a problem
to be solved. Often, this is followed by a description of the problem. Then there is either
a suggestion for how to solve the problem or description of how someone solved it.
Signal words used in problem and solution pattern can be more difficult to
recognize than other patterns. One way to recognize a problem/solution pattern is to
look for the world problem or one of its synonyms in the topic sentence. These
synonyms include situation, difficulty, trouble, crisis, dilemma, predicament, issue, and
quandary. Another way to recognize the pattern is by noticing that the passage begins
with a question that states a problem. In some cases, however, the only way to recognize
the problem/solution pattern is by reading the whole paragraph or passage.

Example:
In the following paragraph, the problem is underlined. What is the solution? Using a
complete sentence, write the solution on the line below. Then complete the main idea
statement.

How can you keep fruits and vegetables fresh in a hot climate when you do not have a
refrigerator? A teacher in Nigeria has invented a new, nonelectric cooler that does not
need ice. It is a simple device made of a small clay pot that fits inside a larger pot, with
wet sand between them and a damp cloth on top. This cooler can keep eggplants,
tomatoes, and peppers fresh for three weeks or more. Since the device does not require
electricity and it costs little to make, it could be extremely useful in developing
countries, where transporting and storing fresh produce is difficult. The Nigerian
teacher has won a $75,000 prize for his work. He plans to make and distribute the
coolers in Nigeria and other African countries.
Problem : How can you keep fruits and vegetables fresh in a hot climate
when you do not have a refrigerator?
Solution :
Main Idea : You can keep fruits and vegetables fresh in a hot climate if you

EXERCISE
Study the paragraphs below, and then underline the signal words of listing pattern or
example, sequence, comparison or contrast, cause or effect, and problem or solution.
1. Famous African-Americans

As Maya Angelou, an African-American author, was growing up, she learned about
abuse and hate, but also about love and support. She was born in 1929 in Long Beach,
California, and her parents separated three years later. When she was only eight years
old, Maya was abused by her mother’s boyfriend. Then she and her brother went to
 discovered her love of literature. In 1945, Maya graduated from a high school in San
Francisco and a few months later, she had a baby son, who became the center of her
poems. She has received many honors as a writer. But perhaps her greatest honor came
in 1993, when she was invited to write the official poem for the inauguration of
President Bill Clinton.
Main Idea:
________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

Signal Words Events

2. Electronic Email

E-mail (electronic mail) uses computers for communication. It has several important
advantages over phones and regular mail. The main advantage of e-mail is that it takes
very little time to send and receive messages. From your computer, you can contact
people far away (or in the office). Seconds later, they have your message. If they are at
their computer, you can get a response instantly, too. Another reason people like to use
e-mail is that for just a few cents you can send a message to someone in another part of
the world. In addition, you don’t have to worry about the time difference, and your
friends or colleagues can send a response at their convenience. Last, e-mail allows you
to send a single message to many people at the same time.
Main idea:_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

Signal Words Details

3. Staying Healthy

As people get older, they usually begin to experience physical problems. They often
begin to lose their eyesight, their hearing, and their memory, and they become less able
to get around. Getting older is a fact of life, of course, and there is nothing you can do
to stop the years from passing. However, some scientists at Tufts University in Boston
have discovered that there may be a way to prevent some of the physical problems
associated with aging. In experiments with rats whose age was the same as humans at
sixty-five to seventy-five, the scientists fed the animals half a cup of blueberries every
day. After eight weeks, the rats showed improved physical skills. They also showed
improved short-term memory, as demonstrated by the fact that they could find their way
 through mazes more quickly. In fact, blueberries contain antioxidants, which slow the
aging process. One leading scientist says he now eats blueberries everyday.
Main Idea:_______________________________________________________
__________________________________________________

Problem :
Solution :
Main Idea :

4. How Diseases Spread

When people move from one city or country to another, the spread of diseases may
result. People often bring in germs that may not have been present there before. These
new germs can spread quickly and cause previously unknown diseases. If a germ is
completely new to a region, people who already live there have no natural protection
against it. As a result, they become ill more easily and die more often. In turn,
newcomers may catch diseases that were not present where they came from. If they go
back, they may carry the disease with them and bring about an epidemic there, too.
Main Idea:________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
 Cause: Effect(s):

5. Ideas about Education

High school graduates are sometimes nervous about attending college because they fear
that everything will be different. In fact, there are some important similarities between
college and high school. In both places, academic success depends on being a
responsible student. This means attending classes regularly, doing your homework, and
studying new material carefully. The social situation on college is also like high school.
If you had friends in high school, changes are you will have friends in college, too. The
activities in college also closely resemble the activities in high school. Musical groups,
sport teams, special interest clubs, and other activities are found in both institutions.
Main Idea:________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Does this paragraph include similarities, differences, or both?
Signal Words: Details