20 Questions
When trying to convince someone of something, what approach might you take?
Start with your least important point and work up to your most powerful idea
What is the main difference between comparing and contrasting?
Comparing finds ways things are alike, while contrasting finds ways they are different
What is an effective way to organize a problem and solution essay?
Write about different parts of the problem and a solution for each part
In a general and specific type of writing, what might you explain first?
General categories, then specific examples
What is the main goal when explaining how something happened?
To figure out all the main reasons why things happened
What is the primary goal of organizing ideas when writing a paper?
To ensure that ideas are presented in a logical and coherent manner
What type of paper is typically organized in a chronological order?
Narrative paper
How can you organize ideas when writing about a physical space?
By the location of objects in the space
What is the benefit of organizing ideas by importance?
It allows the writer to focus on the most critical points
What is the common mistake to avoid when writing a narrative paper?
Introducing new information out of sequence
What is a key consideration when organizing ideas for a narrative paper?
Ensuring events are in the correct chronological order
How can organizing by location help when writing a description paper?
By organizing ideas from one side to another
What is an effective way to organize ideas when writing about a topic with many elements?
Organizing ideas by their importance
Why is it important to organize ideas when writing a paper?
To make sure the ideas are presented in a logical order
What is a common error to avoid when writing a narrative paper?
Including ideas that are not in chronological order
When writing to convince someone, what strategy might be used?
Saving the most important point for last
What is a key difference between the two ways of organizing a comparison/contrast paper?
The first way alternates between similarities and differences, while the second way separates them
In a problem and solution paper, what approach can be used?
Alternating between the problem and solution
What is the purpose of explaining general categories in a general and specific type of writing?
To transition to more specific examples
What is the main goal when explaining how something happened?
To figure out all the main reasons why something happened
Study Notes
Organizing Ideas for Writing
- Sorting out ideas for a paper is similar to organizing everyday items, such as socks or songs on a playlist.
Types of Organization
Narrative
- Organize ideas in order, first, second, third, and so on.
- Ensure events are in the correct sequence to avoid confusion.
Organizing in Space
- Organize ideas based on location, from one side to another, from center outwards, bottom to top, and so on.
- Useful for describing a small or large space, such as a room or a neighborhood.
By Importance
- Start with the most important idea, or begin with the least important and build up to the most powerful idea.
- Useful for persuasive writing, such as convincing someone to change a rule or add a feature.
Comparison/Contrast
- Two ways to organize: all similarities together, then all differences together, or alternating between similarities and differences.
- Useful for highlighting similarities and differences between two things, such as two friends or sports.
Problem and Solution
- Two ways to organize: all problem aspects, then all solution aspects, or alternating between problem and solution for each part.
- Useful for explaining how to solve a problem, such as fixing a bicycle.
General and Specific
- Organize general categories, then provide specific examples.
- Useful for explaining broad topics, such as garden weeds, with specific examples like dandelions and thistles.
Cause and Effect
- Identify main reasons why something happened, then explain how each cause led to a specific effect.
- Useful for explaining how an event occurred, such as a team winning a game or yeast causing bread to rise.
Learn how to sort out ideas for writing a paper, including narrative and informative writing. Get tips for organizing your thoughts and ideas before writing.
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