- Compare/contrast. Discusses similarities and differences
between people, things, or events. May also be used when
you want to discuss advantages and disadvantages of a
method, experiment, treatment, approach, etc. - Order of importance. Discusses the most important aspects
of an issue first and continues through to the least important,
or vice versa. (A slight variation of this is organizing your
paper from the known to theunknown.) - Pro/con. Arguments for and against a position, question,
decision, approach, method, etc.
The first four sequences are considered “natural,” in that the
organization is virtually demanded by the subject. The other
sequences are “logical,” in that the order is chosen and imposed
by you, the writer.
Note that in many cases the actual order you choose is also
reversible—you can move forward or backward in time, consider
cause and effect or effect and cause, etc. So you actually have a
dozen and a half potential ways to organize your material!
Your subject and thesis may determine which organizational approach
will work best. If you have a choice of more than one, use the one
with which you’re most comfortable or that you feel will be easiest
for you to write. (Nobody says you haveto choose the hardest
way!) Keep in mind that you can use a blendof two approaches.
For example, you might mention events in chronological order and
then discuss the cause/effect of each.
If necessary, revise your general outline according to the organiza-
tional decision you have made. Next, go through each group of cards
that share the same topic number or letter. Rearrange them so that
they, too, follow the organizational pattern you chose.
Chapter 7 ■How to Write Terrific Papers 153