OrganizationDEVELOPING A STRATEGY

COPYRIGHT LISA MCNEILLEY, 2010

What is an organized paper?

Provides a logical flow from first idea to last

Follows plan indicated by introduction and thesis

Avoids sections unrelated to the thesis

Avoids repetition of ideas in different parts of the paper

Is dictated by the material

Steps to organizing

Gather materials (from prewriting and research)

Develop a strategy based on patterns and relationships observed

Write a working thesis

Organize materials

Eliminate digressions

Write an outline

Steps to Organizing, cont’d

Group related ideas

Organize groups

Organize ideas within groups

Outlines

FormalUses Roman numerals and letters Indicates relationships by indentingFollows the rule that every A must have a B

ScratchPresents ideas in informal mannerUses phrasesGroups ideas

Sample Formal Outline

I. IntroductionA. Story about F. DouglassB. Literacy StatisticsC. Thesis: Importance of developing program

II. Defining literacyA. Description of DifficultiesB. Conflicting viewsC. Basic Reading Skills

1. 6th grade reading 2. ability to perform daily activities 3. as required in various jobs

Sample Scratch Outline

F. Douglass

Literacy Stats

Reasons for literacy program

Difficulties of not reading

Different defs. of illiteracy and literacy

Describe reading skills 6th grade Activities/jobs Stats on problems—by groups

Possible Organizing Strategies

Problem-solution

Cause-effect

Process

Comparison-contrast

Narration—chronological or reverse chronological

Division and Classification

Most to least important

Least to most important

Organizing Paragraphs

Basic Paragraph structure: *Transition statement (at beginning or end of

paragraph)Topic sentenceSupport (usually 2 or 3 items) *Explanation (to tie support to topic sentence or

thesis)

*optional

Final Steps

Read paper

Make sure paper follows plan set up in thesis or introduction

Use key words in the margin to check organization