Transcript File

CLEAR
THINKING
AND WRITING
JOHN LANGAN
© 2010 Townsend Press
Chapter Five:
Organization
You have seen two goals in writing: to
make a point and to support that point.
A third goal is to organize the support.
ORGANIZATION
Two common ways to organize the support are
(1) to use transitions and
(2) to use a listing or time order.
TRANSITIONS
Transitions are signal words that show
the relationship between ideas. They
connect one thought with another.
Two major types of transitions are
(1) words that show addition and
(2) words that show time.
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Addition
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. I hate my job because of the long hours. My boss is
often rude to me.
B. I hate my job because of the long hours. Also, my boss
is often rude to me.
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Addition
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. I hate my job because of the long hours. My boss is
often rude to me.
B. I hate my job because of the long hours. Also, my boss
is often rude to me.
Explanation
In the second item, the word also makes it clear that the
writer is presenting two reasons for hating his or her job.
Also is an addition word.
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Addition
Also and words or phrases like it are known as
addition words.
They are also known as “bridge” words, carrying
the reader across from one idea to the next.
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Addition
Addition words tell us that writers are adding to their
thoughts. Here are some common addition words:
Addition Words
one
first
first of all
for one thing
to begin with
another
second
also
in addition
next
moreover
furthermore
last
last of all
final
finally
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Addition
In the examples below, notice how the addition words
add to what has already been said.
• A good dinner and watching TV at the end of the day relax
me. In addition, they make my problems seem smaller.
• Kelley’s main concern in school is to keep up her grades.
Her second goal is to develop more friendships.
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Addition
Choose one of the addition words in the box to complete the statement.
finally
another
to begin with
A recent study suggested that parents should be on the
lookout for stress in their children. There are several signs
of stress in young people. Unusual tiredness in a child is
one sign of stress in young people. ___________________
is temper tantrums.
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Addition
Choose one of the addition words in the box to complete the statement.
finally
another
to begin with
A recent study suggested that parents should be on the
lookout for stress in their children. There are several signs
of stress in young people. Unusual tiredness in a child is
Another
one sign of stress in young people. __________________
is temper tantrums.
Explanation
The words several signs indicate there are more than two signs. Therefore, finally does
not make sense. To begin with does not make sense because the transition is
introducing the second item.
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Addition
Identify the transitions in the paragraph on lying.
People lie for different reasons. One common reason is to avoid hurting
someone’s feelings. For example, a friend might ask, “Do you like my new
haircut?” If you think it’s ugly, you might still answer, “Yes.” Another common
reason for lying is to avoid a fight. Say a friend angers you and then asks, “Are
you upset with me?” You might answer, “No,” to avoid an argument. People
also lie so that they’ll fit in, as when you listen to a boring person and politely
say, “That’s interesting.” In addition, people lie to avoid spending more time
with someone. For instance, you might lie, “I have to go now.”
The four transitions that set off the four reasons people lie are:
____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Addition
Identify the transitions in the paragraph on lying.
People lie for different reasons. One common reason is to avoid hurting
someone’s feelings. For example, a friend might ask, “Do you like my new
haircut?” If you think it’s ugly, you might still answer, “Yes.” Another common
reason for lying is to avoid a fight. Say a friend angers you and then asks, “Are
you upset with me?” You might answer, “No,” to avoid an argument. People
also lie so that they’ll fit in, as when you listen to a boring person and politely
say, “That’s interesting.” In addition, people lie to avoid spending more time
with someone. For instance, you might lie, “I have to go now.”
The four transitions that set off the four reasons people lie are:
One
Another
also
In addition
____________
____________
____________
____________
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Time
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. I let the cooked turkey sit for thirty minutes. I carved it.
B. I let the cooked turkey sit for thirty minutes. Then I
carved it.
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Time
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. I let the cooked turkey sit for thirty minutes. I carved it.
B. I let the cooked turkey sit for thirty minutes. Then I
carved it.
Explanation
In the second item, the word then makes the relationship
between the two sentences clear. Then is a time word.
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Time
Then and words or phrases like it are known as
time words.
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Time
Time words tell us when something happened in
relation to when something else happened. Here are
some common time words:
Time Words
before
previously
first
second
third
next
soon
often
as
when
while
during
until
now
then
later
after
eventually
finally
last
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Time
In the examples below, notice how the time words
show us when something takes place.
• I quickly shut the back door after the mouse ran out.
• Before their baby daughter was born, my sister and her
husband were sure it was a boy.
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Time
Complete each sentence below with a suitable time word from the box.
after
before
during
A. ___________________ Craig got home from school, he
checked the refrigerator to see what there was to eat.
B. The counselor tries to help students ________________
their problems get out of control and their grades fall.
TRANSITIONS
Words That Show Time
Complete each sentence below with a suitable time word from the box.
after
before
during
After
A. ___________________
Craig got home from school, he
checked the refrigerator to see what there was to eat.
before
B. The counselor tries to help students ________________
their problems get out of control and their grades fall.
TRANSITIONS
Listing Order and Time Order
Often the supporting material in a paper
is organized by using a listing order or
a time order.
TRANSITIONS
Listing Order and Time Order
Listing order uses addition words such as first, also,
another, and last of all. For example, this paragraph on
tips for becoming a better writer uses listing order.
Many people think that they can’t improve their writing. The truth is
that some tips can help you become a better writer. First of all, write
often. Writing improves with practice. Secondly, organize your writing with
an outline. An outline gives you a structure to build on. In addition, write in
a plain style. Don’t try to use fancy language. Write as you would speak.
Say what you mean simply and clearly. Finally, stick to your main ideas.
Nothing improves writing more than avoiding unneeded words and
statements.
TRANSITIONS
Listing Order and Time Order
The paragraph orders its supporting details in a list of
tips that can help people become better writers. Addition
words introduce the items in the list.
Many people think that they can’t improve their writing. The truth is
that some tips can help you become a better writer. First of all, write
often. Writing improves with practice. Secondly, organize your writing with
an outline. An outline gives you a structure to build on. In addition, write in
a plain style. Don’t try to use fancy language. Write as you would speak.
Say what you mean simply and clearly. Finally, stick to your main ideas.
Nothing improves writing more than avoiding unneeded words and
statements.
TRANSITIONS
Listing Order and Time Order
Time order is another very common way to
present supporting details.
In time order, supporting details are presented
in the order in which they occurred.
TRANSITIONS
Listing Order and Time Order
The paragraph below is organized in a time order. Choose the appropriate
time word from the box to fill each blank.
Before
Then
When
While
After
An incident happened yesterday that made me very angry. I got off the bus and
started walking the four blocks to my friend’s house. _________ I walked along, I
noticed a group of boys gathered on the sidewalk about a block ahead of me.
_________ they saw me, they stopped talking. As I came nearer and they began to
whistle. Instead of being afraid, I was suddenly angry. Why should I have to worry
about being hassled just because I was a woman? I stared straight at the boys and
continued walking. _________ one of them said, “Oooh, baby. Looking fine today.”
_________ I knew what I was doing, I turned on him. “Do you have a mother? Or
any sisters?…Is it OK with you if men speak to them like that?” _________ I spoke,
he and the other boys looked guilty and backed away. I held my head up high and
walked by them. An hour later, I was still angry.
TRANSITIONS
Listing Order and Time Order
The paragraph below is organized in a time order. Choose the appropriate
time word from the box to fill each blank.
Before
Then
When
While
After
An incident happened yesterday that made me very angry. I got off the bus and
While
started walking the four blocks to my friend’s house. _________
I walked along, I
noticed a group of boys gathered on the sidewalk about a block ahead of me.
When
_________
they saw me, they stopped talking. As I came nearer and they began to
whistle. Instead of being afraid, I was suddenly angry. Why should I have to worry
about being hassled just because I was a woman? I stared straight at the boys and
Then
continued walking. _________
one of them said, “Oooh, baby. Looking fine today.”
Before I knew what I was doing, I turned on him. “Do you have a mother? Or
_________
After
any sisters?…Is it OK with you if men speak to them like that?” _________
I spoke,
he and the other boys looked guilty and backed away. I held my head up high and
walked by them. An hour later, I was still angry.
The writer’s point is stated in the first sentence. She then supports her point with
specific details. She helps connect her details with time words.
TRANSITIONS
Listing Order and Time Order
The paragraph below uses either a listing order or a time order. Choose the
appropriate word from the box to fill each blank.
after
then
when
One Monday morning ___________ I was in the sixth grade, our teacher came
into class looking very tired. She was late. She looked as if she had been crying, and
her hair was a mess. She sat down and for a minute or two had her head down,
staring at her desk. ____________ she looked up, we could all see there were tears
in her eyes. ____________ she told the class that she was sorry for being late. She
explained that her dad had had a heart attack over the weekend. I felt really sorry for
her. That was the first time that I realized that teachers had feelings just like
everyone else.
What is the point of the paragraph?
Does the paragraph use listing order or time order?
TRANSITIONS
Listing Order and Time Order
The paragraph below uses either a listing order or a time order. Choose the
appropriate word from the box to fill each blank.
after
then
when
when
One Monday morning ___________
I was in the sixth grade, our teacher came
into class looking very tired. She was late. She looked as if she had been crying, and
her hair was a mess. She sat down and for a minute or two had her head down,
After
staring at her desk. ____________
she looked up, we could all see there were tears
Then
in her eyes. ____________
she told the class that she was sorry for being late. She
explained that her dad had had a heart attack over the weekend. I felt really sorry for
her. That was the first time that I realized that teachers had feelings just like
everyone else.
What is the point of the paragraph?
That was the first time that I realized that
teachers had feelings just like everyone else.
Does the paragraph use listing order or time order? Time order
TRANSITIONS
Listing Order and Time Order
The paragraph below uses either a listing order or a time order. Choose the
appropriate word from the box to fill each blank.
another
finally
one
third
Some people have dangerous driving habits. ____________ dangerous habit is tailgating.
When the car ahead of a tailgating driver is forced to brake suddenly, a rear-end collision can
result. ____________ unsafe driving habit is speeding. Since it takes longer for speeding
vehicles to slow down or stop, drivers who are going too fast have less time to adjust to
unexpected road hazards or sharp curves. A ___________ dangerous driving habit is the
failure to signal turns. Without proper warning, another driver may not have enough time to
slow down. ____________, it’s all too common for today’s drivers to talk or text-message on
their cell phones. Such distractions prevent drivers from focusing on the road in front of them.
Serious accidents may result.
What is the point of the paragraph?
Does the paragraph use listing order or time order?
TRANSITIONS
Listing Order and Time Order
The paragraph below uses either a listing order or a time order. Choose the
appropriate word from the box to fill each blank.
another
finally
one
third
One
Some people have dangerous driving habits. ____________
dangerous habit is tailgating.
When the car ahead of a tailgating driver is forced to brake suddenly, a rear-end collision can
Another
result. ____________
unsafe driving habit is speeding. Since it takes longer for speeding
vehicles to slow down or stop, drivers who are going too fast have less time to adjust to
third
unexpected road hazards or sharp curves. A ___________
dangerous driving habit is the
failure to signal turns. Without proper warning, another driver may not have enough time to
Finally
slow down. ____________,
it’s all too common for today’s drivers to talk or text-message on
their cell phones. Such distractions prevent drivers from focusing on the road in front of them.
Serious accidents may result.
What is the point of the paragraph? Some people have dangerous driving habits.
Does the paragraph use listing order or time order? Listing order
Supporting a Point
Remember:
Make
a
Point
Support
the
Point
Organize
the
Support