EXPOSITORY TEXT

ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS

NONFICTION WRITING
 Organizational Patterns
• Used to present information in a
clear and logical way
• Develops the main idea
• We will learn about the 5 most
common Organizational Patterns
 CAUSE & EFFECT
• Explain reasons why something happened and
the effects of something.
• THE CAUSES MAKE THE EFFECTS HAPPEN.
• USE A MULTI-FLOW MAP.
• CAN START WITH EITHER THE CAUSES OR
EFFECTS-DOESN’T MATTER.
• Transitional Words= because, as a result,
resulted, caused, affected, since, due to, effect.
Example: Students are not allowed to chew gum in my class.
There are many good reasons for this rule. First, some
irresponsible students make messes with their gum. They leave it
underneath desks, drop it on the floor, or put it on other people’s
property. Another reason why I don’t allow students to chew gum
is because it is a distraction. When they are allowed to chew gum,
students are more worried about having it, popping it, chewing it,
and snapping it then they are in listening, writing, reading, and
learning.
 Turn & Talk
• Partner 1: What is the most important thing
to remember about the Cause & Effect
organizational pattern?

• Partner 2: Give a cause & effect example.

– (Effect=I got sick Cause=I didn’t wash my hands.)
 COMPARE & CONTRAST
• Used to find BOTH the similarities &
differences
• Use a double bubble map.
• signal words : like, unlike, both,
neither, similar, and different.
Example: Apples and oranges are both fruits, which
means that they have seeds inside of them. Each
has a skin, but orange skins are thick and easy to
peel. Apple skins are thinner and do not peel easily.
Oranges also contain more acid than apples, but
both fruits are delicious.
 Turn & Talk
• Partner 2: Summarize what you learned about
the compare & contrast organizational
pattern.

• Partner 1: Add something that your partner

forgot.
 PROBLEM & SOLUTION
• A concerning issue is presented &
discussion on what could/should be done
to fix it.
• Is frequently confused with cause and effect, but
look specifically for both a problem and a solution
to the problem.
• Often Answers the question, “Why”.
• Transitional/Signal Words : propose, solution,
answer, issue, problem, problematic, remedy,
prevention, and fix.
Example: Why the lawn mower was invented.
The Problem: Grass was growing too high and
was hard to get rid of.
The Solution: The lawn mower was invented to
easily allow people to shorten grass levels.

Problem Solution
 Turn & Talk
• Partner 1: What types of problems might be
presented in news articles?

• Partner 2: What solutions might be suggested

to some of the problems your partner
mentioned?
 Process/Sequential/Chronological
• Organized in the order that it happens.
• Instructions, Directions, to Explain a Process,
or recounted events
– (process of electing a president)
• Chronological order has a TIME component. (date, years,
5pm)
• Process/Sequence concerned with order only. (Can complete
the steps any time, but must be in a certain sequence)
• Use the Flow Map to show the steps in order.
• Transitional Words: First, next, before, lastly, then
• Example: How to Make Cookies. First, get your
materials. Then, make your dough. Lastly, cook
your dough at 400 degrees for 10 minutes.
Example: This morning was crazy. My alarm clock was set for
PM instead of AM, so I woke up really late. I just threw on
some clothes and ran out the door. I rode my bike as fast as I
could and thought that I was going to be late for sure, but
when I got there everyone was outside and there were fire
trucks all lined up in front of school. I guess somebody pulled
the fire alarm before class started. It worked out though,
because nobody really noticed or minded that I was tardy.
 Turn & Talk
• Partner 2: What is the difference between
Sequential & Chronological Order?

• Partner 1: Give an example of something that

has to be completed in a certain order.
 DESCRIPTION
• Presents a topic and provides details
about it.
• Use either a bubble map or circle map
(Or Both)

• Examples: Books about Bats, Planets,

Global Warming, Bullying, Magic Johnson,
etc.
 Turn & Talk
• Partner 2: Which thinking map would you
prefer to use if you were taking notes over a
descriptive text? Why?

• Partner 1: Discuss some topics that you might

find in a descriptive text.
Check your notes while watching to see
if you missed any important details.

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50GwjM
XhSjU

• https://www.snexplores.org/article/why-blue
berries-blue-crystal-pigment
• https://www.snexplores.org/article/why-octo
puses-gather-octopus-garden-comic-explainer
1. Explain why you admire a particular person.
2. Explain why someone you know should be regarded as a leader.
3. Explain why parents are sometimes strict.
4. If you had to be an animal, which would you be and why?
5. Explain why you especially enjoy a particular teacher.
6. Explain why some cities have curfews for teens.
7. Explain why some students are forced to leave school once they are sixteen.
8. Explain how moving from place to place affects teens.
9. Explain why getting a driver's license is an important event in the lives of many teenagers.
10. Describe the major stressors in teens' lives.
11. Explain why you like or don't like working in a team.
12. Describe some nonmaterial things that make you happy.
13. Explain why some teens commit suicide.
14. Explain how music affects your life.
15. Explain the impact of different music genres on society.
16. .
1. Explain why students listen to a particular type of music.
2. Explain why some teens skip school.
3. Explain the likely consequences of skipping school.
4. Describe the likely consequences of doing poorly in school.
5. Explain why teens do drugs.
6. Describe the likely consequences of selling drugs.
7. Describe the likely consequences of taking drugs.
8. Explain why teens smoke cigarettes.
9. Explain the likely consequences of being kicked out of school.
10. Explain the likely consequences of skipping classes.
11. Explain the likely consequences of brothers and sisters constantly fighting.
12. Explain why teens wear makeup.
13. Explain the consequences of having alcohol on the school campus.
14. Explain the likely consequences of being sexually active without using protection.
15. Explain why some teens' parents do not like to be alone with their child's boyfriend or
girlfriend.
1. Explain the likely consequences of increasing the time between classes from five to 15 minutes.
2. Explain why some teens join gangs.
3. Explain the difficulties some teens have once they are in gangs.
4. Explain how life for a teenager changes once she has a baby.
5. Describe what you feel a boy should do if he finds out his girlfriend is pregnant.
6. Explain why you should or should not laugh at embarrassing moments.
7. Describe the effects of marijuana.
8. Explain the likely consequences of teens becoming sexually active.
9. Explain why it is helpful to organize your materials and activities.
10. Explain why your schoolwork is important.
11. Describe the ways you help out at home.
12. Explain the likely consequences of abolishing capital punishment.
13. Explain the consequences of adopting a pass/fail grading system.
14. Explain the likely consequences of enforcing an 11:00 p.m. curfew.
15. Explain the likely consequences of ending forced busing.
16. Explain why some teenagers dislike saying the pledge to the flag.
17. Explain why some schools don't have open lunch policies.
18. Explain why most teenagers are materialistic.
19. Explain why some teens get jobs.
20. Explain the consequences of having a job while in high school.
21. Explain the likely consequences of dropping out of school.
22. Describe some productive ways students can spend their leisure time.
23. Explain why dealing with their parents' divorce can be difficult for many teens.
24. Explain why teens love their parents even when family situations are difficult.