Common organizing patterns include the following:

Chronology reflects the order in which events occur over time. For example, you might focus on a sequence of events in a recent election or during someone’s life. Biographies and memoirs, for example, are often organized chronologically, portraying early events first and moving forward in time.

Description provides a point-by-point account of the physical attributes of a subject. For example, you might focus on what you see as you walk the streets of a city. Description is best for documents that address physical spaces, objects, or people — things that we can see and observe — rather than theories or processes that are not visible.

Definition lays out the distinguishing characteristics of a subject and then provides examples and reasoning to explain what differentiates it from other subjects. For instance, an essay defining pride might begin by stating that it is an emotion and then move on to explain why that particular emotion is not as harmful as many people believe.

Cause/effect patterns focus on the factors that lead to (cause) an outcome (effect). For example, you might identify the reasons behind a recent strike by grocery store employees or the health risks that contribute to heart disease.

Process explanations outline the steps involved in doing something or explain how something happens. For example, you might help readers understand the stages of nuclear fission or teach them what to do to prepare for a hurricane.

Pro/con organizing patterns present arguments made for (pro) and against (con) a particular position. For example, you might consider the arguments for and against increased reliance on wind power.

Multiple perspectives organizing patterns arrange information, ideas, and arguments according to a range of perspectives about a subject. Writers who use this pattern frequently provide an analysis supporting one perspective. For example, a writer addressing the use of tidal power as an alternative energy source might present the perspectives of utility companies, environmentalists, oceanographers, legislators, and waterfront residents and ultimately favor one group over the others.

Comparison/contrast patterns can help you explore similarities and differences among the information, ideas, and arguments relevant to a subject. A writer analyzing a policy initiative to decriminalize marijuana possession, for example, might consider how current drug laws are like or unlike alcohol prohibition. Another writer might compare and contrast medical and recreational uses of marijuana.

Strengths/weaknesses patterns can help you examine positive and negative aspects of a subject, such as increasing federal funding for health care by instituting a national lottery, or the overall quality of life in a particular city. Writers who choose this organizing principle typically work toward a conclusion where one or two considerations outweigh the others.

Costs/benefits organizing patterns present the trade-offs associated with a subject, usually a choice or proposal of some sort. For example, the writer of an evaluative essay might discuss why the expenses associated with implementing a particular educational initiative are justified (or not) by the potential for higher test scores.

Problem/solution organizing patterns involve defining a problem and discussing the appropriateness of one or more solutions. If multiple solutions are proposed, the writer usually argues for the superiority of one over the others. For instance, an informative article might explain the problem of “brain drain,” in which highly educated and skilled workers move out of state, and then argue in support of a proposal to retain and attract more skilled workers.