8 Major Types of Organizational Patterns

1.Chronological Patterns
2.Sequential Patterns
3.Spatial Patterns
4.Compare-Contrast Patterns
5.Advantages- Disadvantages Patterns
6.Cause-Effect Patterns
7.Problem-Solution Patterns
8.Topical Patterns
People seek out patterns to help make sense of information. When the reader is not able to
find a pattern that makes sense, chaos and confusion abound. Effective communication, then,
begins with a clearly organized set of ideas following a logical, consistent pattern.
There are many patterns a writer can use to organize his/her ideas. The specific pattern (or
combination of patterns) chosen depends upon the particular topic and the objectives.
資料來源：http://faculty.washington.edu/ezent/impo.htm#CP
1 Chronological Patterns Chronological Pattern Example
A chronological pattern of organization I. 1895 - 1920
arranges information according to a A. Significant Event # 1
progression of time, either forward or B. Significant Event # 2
backward. For example, topics of an II. 1920 - 1945
historical nature are best organized using A. Significant Event # 1
this pattern. When using a chronological B. Significant Event # 2
pattern, each main section/subtopics of III. 1945 - 1970
information represents a particular period A. Significant Event # 1
of time, and the sub-points contained within B. Significant Event # 2
each main section refer to significant events IV. 1970 - 1995
that occurred within that time frame. A. Significant Event # 1
B. Significant Event # 2
2 Sequential Patterns Sequential Pattern Example
A sequential pattern of organization is I. Step One: Harvest the grapes
similar to a chronological pattern, but A. Harvesting procedure number one
B. Harvesting procedure number two
arranges information according to a step- II. Step Two: Prepare the grapes
by-step sequence that describes a A. Preparation procedure number one
particular process. Using a sequential B. Preparation procedure number two
pattern, each main section of information III. Step Three: Ferment the grapes
represents a main step that one would follow A. Fermenting procedure number one
in the actual process. B. Fermenting procedure number two
IV. Step Four: Press the grapes
A. Pressing procedure number one
B. Pressing procedure number two
V. Step Five: Age the wine
A. Aging procedure number one
B. Aging procedure number two

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3 Spatial Patterns Spatial Pattern Example
A spatial pattern of organization arranges I. Downtown Waterfront
information according to how things fit A. Aquarium
B. Pike Place Market
together in physical space; i.e., where one
II. Seattle Center
thing exists in relation to another. Topics A. Space Needle
involving geography, for example, are often B. Pacific Science Center
best organized using a spatial pattern. III. University District
A. University of Washington campus
B. The "Ave" (shops on University Avenue)
4 Compare-Contrast Patterns Compare and Contrast Pattern Example 1
A compare and contrast pattern arranges I. Cost of Tuition
information according to how two or more A. Two-year
B. Four-year
things are similar to or different from one II. Quality of Education
another (or both). A. Two-year
 One way to arrange the information is to B. Four-year
compare and contrast the two III. Educational Programs
educational options along several A. Two-year
important dimensions, such as cost, B. Four-year
quality of education, and variety of Compare and Contrast Pattern Example 2
educational programs. I. Points of Comparison
 Another way to arrange the information A. Educational Programs
would be to create two main sections, B. Cost of Tuition
one that describes similarities and one II. Points of Contrast
that describes differences (in # 2). A. Quality of Education
B. Type of Degree
5 Advantages-Disadvantages Advantages and Disadvantages Example 1
I. Advantages
Patterns A. Cost
This pattern organizes information about a B. Accessibility
topic by dividing it up into its "good" and II. Disadvantages
"bad" parts, or pro's and con's. A. Number of educational programs
B. Quality of instruction
Advantages and Disadvantages Example 2
I. Cost
A. Advantages
B. Disadvantages
II. Accessibility
A. Advantages
B. Disadvantages
III. Number of educational programs
A. Advantages
B. Disadvantages
IV. Quality of instruction
A. Advantages
B. Disadvantages

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6 Cause-Effect Patterns Cause and Effect Pattern Example One
This pattern is used to show the different I. Causes of Conflict Escalation
causes and effects of various conditions. A. Expanding the issues
B. Personal attacks
There are two major variations to this
II. Effects of these causes
pattern: A. Lose focus on original issue
(a) dividing the outline into two major B. Cycle of defensive responses
sections comprised of causes and effects; C. Win-Lose orientation
(b) dividing the outline according to the D. Negative emotions
different causes, with the effects of each Cause and Effect Pattern Example 2
cause contained within the larger "causes" I. Cause: Expanding the issues
section. A. Effect: Lose focus on original issues
B. Effect: Cycle of defensive responses
II. Cause: Personal attacks
A. Effect: Negative emotions
B. Effect: Win-Lose orientation
7 Problem-Solution Patterns Problem-Solution Example
A problem-solution pattern divides I. Problem: Motorized Transportation
information into two main sections, one A. Increasing traffic congestion
B. Increasing pollution
that describes a problem and one that C. Increasing "road rage" from traffic-related
describes a solution. stress
 In the problem section, the writer II. Solution: Riding Bicycles
identifies different aspects of the problem A. Bike riding reduces the number of
being discussed and offers evidence of motorized vehicles in use
these problems. B. Bike riding is not a source of pollution
 In the solution section, the writer C. Bike riding has physical and psychological
identifies a potential solution and health benefits
supports the effectiveness of this solution
over others.
8 Topical Pattern (Classification Topical Pattern Example Topical Pattern
1 Example 2
Pattern) I. Red Wines I. European Wines
A topical pattern arranges information A. European A. Red
according to different sub-topics within a 1. Bordeaux 1. ___
larger topic, or the "types" of things that fall 2. Burgundy 2. ___
within a larger category. Using this pattern, 3. Chianti 3. ___
each "type" represents a main section of B. Californian B. White
information. 1. Cabernet 1. ___
For example, suppose a writer wished to Sauvignon 2. ___
describe various types of wine. 2. Pinot Noir 3. ___
3. Zinfandel II. Californian Wines
II. White Wines A. Red
A. European 1. ___
1. Bordeaux 2. ___
2. Burgundy 3. ___
3. Mosel B. White
B. Californian 1. ___
1. Sauvignon Blanc 2. ___
2. Chardonnay 3. ___
3. Riesling

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