For Multilingual Writers: Organizing information

ORGANIZING INFORMATION

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You may know ways of organizing information that differ markedly from those discussed in this section. A Navajo teacher notes, for example, that explicit linear organization, through chronology or other strictly logical patterns, doesn’t ever sound quite right to her. As she puts it, “In traditional Navajo, it’s considered rude to get right to the point. Polite conversation or writing between two engaged people always takes a while to get to the point.” Although effective organization depends largely on the reader’s expectations, it may sometimes make sense to deviate from those expectations. If you choose to organize your writing differently from what your teacher or classmates might expect, consider explaining the reason for your choice—for example, in a cover letter or a footnote.