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WRITER’S CHECKLIST
Click each checklist item to read more about it.
Did you analyze your audience and purpose?
Did you consider using a conventional pattern of organization?
Did you display your organizational pattern prominently by
creating a detailed table of contents?
using topic sentences at the beginnings of your paragraphs?
The following checklists cover the eight organizational patterns discussed in this chapter.
CHRONOLOGICAL AND SPATIAL
Did you
provide signposts, such as headings and transitional words or phrases?
consider using graphics to complement the text?
analyze events where appropriate?
GENERAL TO SPECIFIC
Did you
provide signposts, such as headings and transitional words or phrases?
consider using graphics to complement the text?
MORE IMPORTANT TO LESS IMPORTANT
Did you
provide signposts, explaining clearly that you are using this organizational pattern?
consider using graphics to complement the text?
COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
Did you
establish criteria for the comparison and contrast?
evaluate each item according to the criteria you established?
consider using graphics to complement the text?
CLASSIFICATION OR PARTITION
Did you
choose a basis of classification or partition that fits your audience and purpose?
use only one basis of classification or partition at a time?
include all the appropriate categories?
arrange the categories in a logical sequence?
consider using graphics to complement the text?
PROBLEM-METHODS-SOLUTION
Did you
describe the problem clearly and specifically?
if appropriate, justify your methods?
avoid overstating your solution?
arrange the discussion in a logical sequence?
consider using graphics to complement the text?
CAUSE AND EFFECT
Did you