Focus on Genre: Organization of Ideas

  • • Chronological Order

  • • Problem and Solution

Writers organize information and ideas in different ways. You can better follow a writer’s ideas and remember information if you see how it is organized.

How It Works

Before you read, preview the text to figure out the topic and see what kind of writing it is. Look for clues that tell you what the organization is.

Chronological Order A writer uses chronological, or time, order to help readers see how people, attitudes, and situations change over time. Study this example and look for time words.

Soccer for All

At an early age, Taylor Bell saw the need for more opportunities for disabled youth to play team sports. Taylor first researched soccer programs in other cities. Then, he scheduled a soccer camp to see how people would respond. Next, he trained coaches and found fields for the players. Finally, he created game schedules.

Time words help show the order of events. Some time words are:
beforeafter
nextsoon
thenfinally

Problem and Solution A writer who chooses problem and solution organization wants readers to learn about an issue, or problem, and how it could be solved. Study this passage to identify the problem and solution.

Soccer for All

Taylor Bell, an 18-year-old soccer player from Arkansas, saw a need for more activities for young people with disabilities. Taylor decided to start a soccer program for disabled youth. He researched soccer programs in other cities and met with soccer organizations to learn how to set up a soccer camp.

Problem

Solution

Academic Vocabulary

  • • organize (or-gu-nīz) verb To organize means to arrange things in a certain order.