If you’ve used social media recently, you may have stumbled across a viral video of a boy traversing a mirror maze. It starts with the boy walking cautiously, his outstretched hands occasionally bumping into his own reflection. Soon enough, he starts to get the hang of it, and a clear path appears to open in front of him. Brimming with confidence, he bursts ahead and . . . well, see for yourself.
The boy’s misfortune, while good for a few chuckles, reminds us of the experience of reading a disorganized document. When ideas are organized haphazardly, readers get turned around, unsure where exactly the writer is leading them. In time, those readers may hit a wall and give up.
So how can you ensure your writing doesn't turn into a house of mirrors?
Start by including opening, middle, and closing parts. This three-part structure isn’t an academic invention. Everything that is experienced in a specific sequence includes this familiar structure: a conversation, an email, a movie, a novel, a vacation, a game—even a date.
While you can turn to Write for Business for strategies for each part, today's writing tip focuses on the middle part, a common site of organizational breakdowns.
The middle part is where you explain your main point, break your bad news, or build a case for your product or idea. Because it often includes more details than the other parts, the ideas tend to get muddled. Following a logical pattern of organization will help you avoid misunderstanding.
What pattern of organization should I follow?
When arranging details within the middle, you have many options. Choose the organizational pattern that best fits your topic and purpose, and use related transitions to guide readers through your ideas.
Time
Move chronologically from start to finish. (Use this pattern when you need to tell a story, give instructions, or explain a process.)
first
second
third
last |
start by
continue with
be sure to
finish by |
Location
Move from near to far, left to right, or top to bottom.
in front
beyond that
next in line
at the back |
on the left
next to it
in the center
on the right |
Importance
Move from most important to least or from least to most.
the biggest reason
another reason
in addition
a final reason |
first of all
secondly
furthermore
most importantly |
Compare/Contrast
Examine the similarities and the differences between two subjects.
as/like
similarly
in the same way
likewise
also |
however
in contrast
nevertheless
though
but/yet/still |
Cause/Effect
Outline the causes and effects of a situation.
because
due to
the reason
the catalyst |
as a result
consequently
the outcome
the conclusion |
Problem/Solution
Examine a problem, tracing its causes and effects; then promote a solution.
because of
problem-causing
proposing a
eliminating the |
as a result of
creates issues
suggesting a
changing the |
Deductive
Begin with general principles and move to specific details.
the rule states
it follows
in this case
an example |
we know that
as a result
in this instance
the evidence |
Inductive
Begin with specific details and move to general principles.
a clue
another clue
a pattern shows
in conclusion |
in this spot
in similar spots
we begin to see
as a result |
Each of these patterns of organization gets readers from point A to point B with no interference. By choosing a pattern that best fits your topic and purpose, you will clear a path to understanding.
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