different types of essay organization

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Essay organization.

Any work, be it a thesis, an article in an academic journal, or a review, has a clear structure. Let’s admit it: it’s much easier for all of us to perceive the text when it’s coherent and logical. The organization is critical to one of the most popular types of student assignments: an essay. Why?

Unlike other kinds of papers, essays have a certain “creative freedom.” However, the more freedom we get, the more responsibility we have to take, as one must think over the organization of essay themselves. Of course, the structure largely depends on the essay’s final goal.

Nevertheless, it usually remains within the standard requirements. The main thing is to take a piece of paper and sketch out a rough plan. It will be a “skeleton” of the future text.

How to Organize an Essay

In an essay, authors are free to express themselves as they want. But there’s a requirement they need to address: each thesis must be supported by arguments.

These can be well-known and scientifically proven facts, events, examples from history, phenomena, and references to books. An average essay begins with a problem statement (thesis), proceeds with two or three arguments with examples, and ends with a conclusion. Here is one of the most popular ways to organize an essay.

• Introduction (draw the reader’s attention with a plot twist, a hook, a quote, or extraordinary event, set the background, and then state your thesis);

Supporting idea (argument) 1 with its evidence and examples;

Supporting idea (argument) 2 with its evidence and examples;

Supporting idea (argument) 3 with its evidence and examples;

• Conclusion (summarize those viewpoints the reader should definitely remember).

Before you start organizing the structure, read the assignment carefully to understand what the professor expects from you. Requirements usually include the topic and purpose, tone of voice, and volume. Of course, to make sure you’ll write a well organized essay, study the theme. Once you are well versed in it, look through the literature – references will be extra handy while working on the thesis and arguments.

A thesis statement will be the leitmotif of your entire work. It is usually a controversial point of view that needs to be proved. When formulating such a statement, remember that it must be specific. For instance:

• Beauty is treated as immoral in The Picture of Dorian Gray ;
• Basil and Lord Henry represent God and the Devil in The Picture of Dorian Gray .

During the organization phase, brainstorming is a good exercise. Think about the topic and write whatever comes to mind. These can be associations, examples from life, or your personal attitude to the issue. Try this technique for ten minutes straight – one of the ideas will probably be helpful for more organized writing.

Later, back up your main ideas with two types of evidence: arguments and facts. For example, if your essay is connected to a certain book, facts can include specific quotes. In case you want to discuss the character of Sir Henry, quote his words and describe him in detail.

As for the arguments, they are based on your logic and reasoning. Think: why did Sir Henry become like this? What should be noted in his manner of speaking? Explain your point of view to enhance the organization essay. Its convincing arguments and strong evidence will certainly impress the reader.

Essay Organization Types

There are different types of essay organization, but first and foremost, let’s structure your thoughts. The first practical exercise is “thematic blocks” or “circles.” Such a scheme is essential if you’ve generated a lot of ideas and don’t know where to start. This will help you move from general to specific.

Take a blank piece of paper and write your topic in the center, then circle it. Let’s say your theme is The Picture of Dorian Gray . Circle this phrase and write what interests you the most around the circle. It might be “Dorian’s acquaintance with Lord Henry,” “Sybil’s death,” or “Destruction of the portrait.”

Next, write more specific questions or comments around each idea. Start looking for connections. Bridge the circles with lines where you see something corresponding – organizing an essay will be much quicker then.

One of the most well-known types of essay organization is the five-paragraph format. Include at least three various points of view in your essay to prove the main claim. The other two paragraphs will be the introduction (which describes the problem) and the ending (where you summarize the arguments).

The third option to improve your organization in writing is to think about the questions that need to be answered. Many students complain that they don’t know what to say on a specific topic. Learn to ask yourself questions:

• How? (How is Sybil’s death represented? How do other characters react to it? How should the reader feel?)
• Why? (Why did the author intend Sybil to die? Why would the novel be completely different without her death?)

If a low-tech organization is not your cup of tea, why not use the outline view function in Microsoft Word? First, collect your thoughts as you would on a normal piece of paper. Then, turn to the outline view – it will arrange your ideas in hierarchical order.

Wondering if there are other methods to present your views? Read on to find out about four types of essay organization.

Essay Organization Methods

Chronological order.

There is no doubt that it’s the most widespread method of essay organization when it comes to narrative ones. The sequence plays a key role if you are to tell a story. Here, events and their details are represented exactly as they appear in time. For example:

• It was a cold, gloomy winter morning. Despite the awful weather, the girl didn’t give up on her promise to run every morning. Jogging in the park, she noticed a tall, dark figure standing behind a tree. “You’re Elizabeth, right?” – the stranger asked.

If you choose this type over other methods of organization, divide the story into significant stages: an initiating episode, the following happenings, culmination, and the ending.

A chronological (narrative) method is perfect for writers who aim at

• making the content more intriguing;
• relating to an experience;
• explaining the process step-by-step.

By the way, this type of organizing an essay works for autobiographies, memoirs, fairy-tales, sci-fi, and so on.

Cause and Effect Order

This option greatly deals with logical methods of organization in writing. It highlights close connections between situations and things. Use this organization to explain how events occur and what their causes and results are. For example:

• We are exposed to germs. → We don’t wash our hands properly. → We get sick.
• Mobile phones distract school students. → Mobile phones aren’t allowed in the classroom.

Comparison and Contrast

This method is the third on the list of ways to organize an essay. It’s related to listing ideas to analyze their differences and similarities. You may compare anything, from poems of the same author to playwriters who lived in the same epoch. Before you start the organization of essay, decide what is more important to you – likeness or contrast? Basically, if there are more similarities, it’s more interesting to concentrate on differences.

Organizing by Significance

It’s hard to imagine the organization of an essay without an order of importance. Here, thoughts or objects are listed according to how meaningful they are. Building on your paper’s strength step-by-step, arrange the paragraphs so that the most significant one comes last. On the other hand, you may turn to reverse order and let the least important part be the last. Don’t forget to use such words as worst , best , least , most , <next , last , etc.

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Most Common Book or Essay Organization Patterns

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To improve your ability to understand a difficult book or passage, you might start by finding the organization pattern. This may sound more difficult than it is. There are a few ways that writers can choose to organize their work , and the organization depends very much on the topic.

If you were writing a description of your bedroom, for example, you would most likely use a spatial organization pattern. In other words, you would most likely start by describing one "space" and move on to another space, and keep going until you've covered the entire room.

Spatial organization would be a suitable type of pattern for real estate professionals to use when describing a property. 

Then again, if you were required to describe the events that led up to a certain event in history, your most likely organization pattern would be chronological . Chronological refers to the order that things happen in time. You might describe the legislation that set the stage for a particular event, followed by the public response to that legislation, and followed again by social conditions that changed because of the previous events.

So, one of the first things you should do when trying to understand a difficult text is to figure out the particular organization pattern. This helps you frame the entire work in your brain or on paper, as when you're writing an outline.

Chronological Organization

A chronological organization is used by writers when they want to describe what happened or happens in a particular order. Your entire history book is most likely written in a chronological patter. Some of the types of work that might follow this patter include the following. You can see that this type of organization is best when describing things that happen over time.

• History chapters
• Biographies
• Summer vacation essays
• Legal case studies

Logical Organization

A logical organization might be used in many ways. Logical organization refers to works that express a point or position using evidence.

• Argument essays
• Comparison essays

Functional Organization

A functional organization system is used to explain how or why things work. The following types of writing might use this organization pattern most effectively.

• How-to essays
• Step-by-step essays
• Instruction manuals 

Spatial Organization

Spatial organization is used in essays that describe or give direction concerning a physical location.

• Descriptions
• Anatomy essay
• Descriptions in fiction

The purpose of developing and understanding organization patters is to help our brains set the stage and know what to expect. These patterns help us to build a framework in our minds and place information in the correct "places" on that framework. Once you determine the overall organization of any text, you'll be better equipped to process information as you read.

When writing your essays and chapters, you should keep your intended organizational pattern in mind as you work, to provide your readers with a clear message that is easily processed.

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9.3 Organizing Your Writing

Learning objectives.

• Understand how and why organizational techniques help writers and readers stay focused.
• Assess how and when to use chronological order to organize an essay.
• Recognize how and when to use order of importance to organize an essay.
• Determine how and when to use spatial order to organize an essay.

The method of organization you choose for your essay is just as important as its content. Without a clear organizational pattern, your reader could become confused and lose interest. The way you structure your essay helps your readers draw connections between the body and the thesis, and the structure also keeps you focused as you plan and write the essay. Choosing your organizational pattern before you outline ensures that each body paragraph works to support and develop your thesis.

This section covers three ways to organize body paragraphs:

• Chronological order
• Order of importance
• Spatial order

When you begin to draft your essay, your ideas may seem to flow from your mind in a seemingly random manner. Your readers, who bring to the table different backgrounds, viewpoints, and ideas, need you to clearly organize these ideas in order to help process and accept them.

A solid organizational pattern gives your ideas a path that you can follow as you develop your draft. Knowing how you will organize your paragraphs allows you to better express and analyze your thoughts. Planning the structure of your essay before you choose supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and targeted research.

Chronological Order

In Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , you learned that chronological arrangement has the following purposes:

• To explain the history of an event or a topic
• To tell a story or relate an experience
• To explain how to do or to make something
• To explain the steps in a process

Chronological order is mostly used in expository writing , which is a form of writing that narrates, describes, informs, or explains a process. When using chronological order, arrange the events in the order that they actually happened, or will happen if you are giving instructions. This method requires you to use words such as first , second , then , after that , later , and finally . These transition words guide you and your reader through the paper as you expand your thesis.

For example, if you are writing an essay about the history of the airline industry, you would begin with its conception and detail the essential timeline events up until present day. You would follow the chain of events using words such as first , then , next , and so on.

Writing at Work

At some point in your career you may have to file a complaint with your human resources department. Using chronological order is a useful tool in describing the events that led up to your filing the grievance. You would logically lay out the events in the order that they occurred using the key transition words. The more logical your complaint, the more likely you will be well received and helped.

Choose an accomplishment you have achieved in your life. The important moment could be in sports, schooling, or extracurricular activities. On your own sheet of paper, list the steps you took to reach your goal. Try to be as specific as possible with the steps you took. Pay attention to using transition words to focus your writing.

Keep in mind that chronological order is most appropriate for the following purposes:

• Writing essays containing heavy research
• Writing essays with the aim of listing, explaining, or narrating
• Writing essays that analyze literary works such as poems, plays, or books

When using chronological order, your introduction should indicate the information you will cover and in what order, and the introduction should also establish the relevance of the information. Your body paragraphs should then provide clear divisions or steps in chronology. You can divide your paragraphs by time (such as decades, wars, or other historical events) or by the same structure of the work you are examining (such as a line-by-line explication of a poem).

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that describes a process you are familiar with and can do well. Assume that your reader is unfamiliar with the procedure. Remember to use the chronological key words, such as first , second , then , and finally .

Order of Importance

Recall from Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” that order of importance is best used for the following purposes:

• Persuading and convincing
• Ranking items by their importance, benefit, or significance
• Illustrating a situation, problem, or solution

Most essays move from the least to the most important point, and the paragraphs are arranged in an effort to build the essay’s strength. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to begin with your most important supporting point, such as in an essay that contains a thesis that is highly debatable. When writing a persuasive essay, it is best to begin with the most important point because it immediately captivates your readers and compels them to continue reading.

For example, if you were supporting your thesis that homework is detrimental to the education of high school students, you would want to present your most convincing argument first, and then move on to the less important points for your case.

Some key transitional words you should use with this method of organization are most importantly , almost as importantly , just as importantly , and finally .

During your career, you may be required to work on a team that devises a strategy for a specific goal of your company, such as increasing profits. When planning your strategy you should organize your steps in order of importance. This demonstrates the ability to prioritize and plan. Using the order of importance technique also shows that you can create a resolution with logical steps for accomplishing a common goal.

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that discusses a passion of yours. Your passion could be music, a particular sport, filmmaking, and so on. Your paragraph should be built upon the reasons why you feel so strongly. Briefly discuss your reasons in the order of least to greatest importance.

Spatial Order

As stated in Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , spatial order is best used for the following purposes:

• Helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it
• Evoking a scene using the senses (sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound)
• Writing a descriptive essay

Spatial order means that you explain or describe objects as they are arranged around you in your space, for example in a bedroom. As the writer, you create a picture for your reader, and their perspective is the viewpoint from which you describe what is around you.

The view must move in an orderly, logical progression, giving the reader clear directional signals to follow from place to place. The key to using this method is to choose a specific starting point and then guide the reader to follow your eye as it moves in an orderly trajectory from your starting point.

Pay attention to the following student’s description of her bedroom and how she guides the reader through the viewing process, foot by foot.

Attached to my bedroom wall is a small wooden rack dangling with red and turquoise necklaces that shimmer as you enter. Just to the right of the rack is my window, framed by billowy white curtains. The peace of such an image is a stark contrast to my desk, which sits to the right of the window, layered in textbooks, crumpled papers, coffee cups, and an overflowing ashtray. Turning my head to the right, I see a set of two bare windows that frame the trees outside the glass like a 3D painting. Below the windows is an oak chest from which blankets and scarves are protruding. Against the wall opposite the billowy curtains is an antique dresser, on top of which sits a jewelry box and a few picture frames. A tall mirror attached to the dresser takes up most of the wall, which is the color of lavender.

The paragraph incorporates two objectives you have learned in this chapter: using an implied topic sentence and applying spatial order. Often in a descriptive essay, the two work together.

The following are possible transition words to include when using spatial order:

• Just to the left or just to the right
• On the left or on the right
• Across from
• A little further down
• To the south, to the east, and so on
• A few yards away
• Turning left or turning right

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph using spatial order that describes your commute to work, school, or another location you visit often.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

Key Takeaways

• The way you organize your body paragraphs ensures you and your readers stay focused on and draw connections to, your thesis statement.
• A strong organizational pattern allows you to articulate, analyze, and clarify your thoughts.
• Planning the organizational structure for your essay before you begin to search for supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and directed research.
• Chronological order is most commonly used in expository writing. It is useful for explaining the history of your subject, for telling a story, or for explaining a process.
• Order of importance is most appropriate in a persuasion paper as well as for essays in which you rank things, people, or events by their significance.
• Spatial order describes things as they are arranged in space and is best for helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it; it creates a dominant impression.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Many types of writing follow some version of the basic shape described above. This shape is most obvious in the form of the traditional five-paragraph essay: a model for college writing in which the writer argues his or her viewpoint (thesis) on a topic and uses three reasons or subtopics to support that position. In the five-paragraph model, as illustrated below, the introductory paragraph mentions the three main points or subtopics, and each body paragraph begins with a topic sentence dealing with one of those main points.

SAMPLE ESSAY USING THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH MODEL

Remember, this is a very simplistic model. It presents a basic idea of essay organization and may certainly be helpful in learning to structure an argument, but it should not be followed religiously as an ideal form.

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12.2: Types of Essays and Suggested Structures

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Introduction

The structural organization of an essay will vary, depending on the type of writing task you’ve been assigned. Below are outline templates for specific types of writing projects. Keep in mind these are just a starting point: there is always room for variation and creativity in how a subject is most effectively presented to a reader.

Analytical essay

This is perhaps the most common structure. Examples of this include questions which ask you to discuss , analyze , investigate , explore, or review . In an analytical structure you are required to break the topic into its different components and discuss these in separate paragraphs or sections, demonstrating balance where possible.

• Background information on topic
• Overall point of view of the topic (thesis)
• Overview of components to be discussed (structure)
• Topic sentence outlining first component
• Sentences giving explanations and providing evidence to support topic sentence
• Concluding sentence – link to next paragraph
• Topic sentence outlining second component
• Sentences giving explanations and providing evidence to back topic sentence
• These follow the same structure for as many components as you need to outline
• Summary of the main points of the body
• Restatement of the main point of view
• Justification/evaluation (if required by task)

Argumentative essay

Examples of this type of essay include questions which ask you to take a position on a topic, such as a particular decision or policy, and present arguments which support your position. An effective way to argue a point can be to present the opposing view first then counter this view with stronger evidence.

• Statement of your position on the topic (thesis)
• Overview of arguments to be presented (structure)
• Topic sentence outlining first argument
• Topic sentence outlining second argument
• These follow the same structure for as many arguments as you wish to put forward in support of the topic.
• Restatement of the position

Interpretive essay

Examples of this type of essay include assignments where you are given data such as a case study or scenario, a diagram, graphical information, or a picture and expected to interpret this information to demonstrate your application of knowledge when answering the task. Based on this data, you may be asked to do a range of things such as provide recommendations or solutions, develop a nursing care plan, a teaching plan, suggest legal advice, or plan a marketing strategy.

• Brief background information on topic
• Overview of issues to be addressed in the essay (structure)
• State overall interpretation (thesis)
• Topic sentence outlining first issue identified from the data
• Sentences giving further explanation and providing evidence from both the literature and the data, e.g. the case study to support the topic sentence (it is very important in this types of essays to make reference to the data you have been supplied to give your essay context).
• Topic sentence outlining second issue identified
• These follow the same structure for as many issues as you wish to discuss from the data you have been supplied.
• Statement of overall interpretation
• Summary of the main issues from the data supplied
• Make recommendations or suggest solutions to address the issues arising from the data supplied.

Comparative essay

Examples of this type of essay include compare , compare and contrast , or differentiate questions. In this structure the similarities and/or differences between two or more items (for example, theories or models) are discussed paragraph by paragraph. Your assignment task may require you to make a recommendation about the suitability of the items you are comparing.

• Outline of two (or more) things being compared or contrasted
• Purpose for making the comparison / contrast
• Overview of the specific points to be compared / contrasted
• Topic sentence outlining first similarity or difference
• Topic sentence outlining second similarity or different
• These follow the same structure for as many items or aspects as you need to compare/contrast
• Restatement of the main purpose for the comparison / contrast
• Summary of the main similarities and differences
• Recommendation about suitability of compared items for purpose (if requirement of assessment task)
• Overall conclusion

Problem and solution essay

These essay questions often require you to structure your answer in several parts. An example may be to ask you to investigate a problem and explore a range of solutions. You may also be asked to choose the best solution and justify your selection, so allow space for this in your essay if needed.

• Background information about the problem
• Description of the problem and why it is serious
• Overview of the solutions to be outlined
• Topic sentence outlining first solution
• Explanation of the positive and negative aspects of the solution
• Evidence to support explanations
• Concluding sentence
• Topic sentence outlining second solution
• Evidence to support explanation
• These follow the same structure for as many solutions as you need to discuss
• Summary of the problem and overview of the solutions
• Evaluation of solutions and recommendation of best option

Note : Depending on the topic, body paragraphs in a problem and solution essay could be devoted to discussing the problem in more detail, as well as the solution. It’s up to the writer to assess the needs of the project, in order to decide how much time is spent on each part.

Cause and effect essay

Examples of this type of essay include questions which ask you to state or investigate the effects or outline the causes of the topic. This may be, for example, an historical event, the implementation of a policy, a medical condition, or a natural disaster. These essays may be structured in one of two ways: either the causes(s) of a situation may be discussed first followed by the effect(s), or the effect(s) could come first with the discussion working back to outline the cause(s). Sometimes with cause and effect essays you are required to give an assessment of the overall effects, such as on a community, a workplace, an individual. Space must be allocated for this assessment in your structure if needed.

• Background information on situation under discussion
• Description of the situation
• Overview of the causes or effects to be outlined
• Topic sentence outlining first cause or effect
• Sentences giving explanations and providing evidence to support the topic sentence
• Concluding sentence – linking to next paragraph
• Topic sentence outlining second cause or effect
• These follow the same structure for as many causes or effects as you need to outline
• Conclusion, prediction or recommendation

Finally, consider that some essay assignments may ask you to combine approaches, especially in more advanced classes. At that point, you may have to vary your body paragraph strategy from section to section.

This chart gives an idea of what different roles paragraphs can play in a mixed-structure essay assignment.

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)

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Common Core State Standards Related to Text Structure

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.5 – Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.

ELA Standards: Informational Texts

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.5 – Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.5 – Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.5 – Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.5 – Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.5 – Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.5 – Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging.

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very helpful. But how my lecturer categorized was quit different, like this, a.simple listing includes; i. order of importance ii. spatial iii. chronological iv. enumeration(ordinal and cardinal) b. cause and effect c. compare and contrast d. problem and solution

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Im doing an arguement, and i cant figure out which oranization order to put it as it is about limiting ticket prices for sporting events which one should it go in?

Well, it’s really up to you.

You could do problem and solution, describing how some fans can’t afford seats and how price caps on tickets would solve that.

Really, I don’t recommend that you visualize your argument in terms of patterns of organization. Just write your argument in a clear and logical way.

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Well, an essay will most likely use many different patterns. In one paragraph you may compare and contrast two things. In another you may propose a solution to a problem. In yet another, you may describe a cause and effect or multiple causes and / or effects. The structure of a text will vary from paragraph to paragraph. A single paragraph may even use multiple structures.

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Module 1: An Overview of the Writing Process

Organizing an essay.

There are many elements that must come together to create a good essay. The topic should be clear and interesting. The author’s voice should come through, but not be a distraction. There should be no errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or capitalization. Organization is one of the most important elements of an essay that is often overlooked. An organized essay is clear, focused, logical and effective.

Organization makes it easier to understand the thesis. To illustrate, imagine putting together a bike. Having all of the necessary tools, parts, and directions will make the job easier to complete than if the parts are spread across the room and the tools are located all over the house. The same logic applies to writing an essay. When all the parts of an essay are in some sort of order, it is both easier for the writer to put the essay together and for the reader to understand the main ideas presented in the essay.

Strategy 1. Reverse Outlining

If your paper is about Huckleberry Finn, a working thesis might be: “In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.” However, you might feel uncertain if your paper really follows through on the thesis as promised.

This paper may benefit from reverse outlining. Your aim is to create an outline of what you’ve already written, as opposed to the kind of outline that you make before you begin to write. The reverse outline will help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of both your organization and your argument.

Read the draft and take notes Read your draft over, and as you do so, make very brief notes in the margin about what each paragraph is trying to accomplish.

Outline the Draft After you’ve read through the entire draft, transfer the brief notes to a fresh sheet of paper, listing them in the order in which they appear. The outline might look like this:

• Paragraph 1: Intro
• Paragraph 2: Background on Huck Finn
• Paragraph 3: River for Huck and Jim
• Paragraph 4: Shore and laws for Huck and Jim
• Paragraph 5: Shore and family, school
• Paragraph 6: River and freedom, democracy
• Paragraph 7: River and shore similarities
• Paragraph 8: Conclusion

Examine the Outline Look for repetition and other organizational problems. In the reverse outline above, there’s a problem somewhere in Paragraphs 3-7, where the potential for repetition is high because you keep moving back and forth between river and shore.

Re-examine the Thesis, the Outline, and the Draft Together Look closely at the outline and see how well it supports the argument in your thesis statement. You should be able to see which paragraphs need rewriting, reordering or rejecting. You may find some paragraphs are tangential or irrelevant or that some paragraphs have more than one idea and need to be separated.

Strategy 2. Talk It Out

Find a Friend, your T.A., your Professor, a relative, a Writing Center tutor, or any sympathetic and intelligent listener. People are more accustomed to talking than writing, so it might be beneficial to explain your thinking out loud to someone before organizing the essay. Talking to someone about your ideas may also relieve pressure and anxiety about your topic.

Explain What Your Paper Is About Pay attention to how you explain your argument verbally. It is likely that the order in which you present your ideas and evidence to your listener is a logical way to arrange them in your paper. Let’s say that you begin (as you did above) with the working thesis. As you continue to explain, you realize that even though your draft doesn’t mention “private enterprise” until the last two paragraphs, you begin to talk about it right away. This fact should tell you that you probably need to discuss private enterprise near the beginning.

Take Notes You and your listener should keep track of the way you explain your paper. If you don’t, you probably won’t remember what you’ve talked about. Compare the structure of the argument in the notes to the structure of the draft you’ve written.

Get Your Listener to Ask Questions As the writer, it is in your interest to receive constructive criticism so that your draft will become stronger. You want your listener to say things like, “Would you mind explaining that point about being both conservative and liberal again? I wasn’t sure I followed” or “What kind of economic principle is government relief? Do you consider it a good or bad thing?” Questions you can’t answer may signal an unnecessary tangent or an area needing further development in the draft. Questions you need to think about will probably make you realize that you need to explain more your paper. In short, you want to know if your listener fully understands you; if not, chances are your readers won’t, either. [2]

Strategy 3. Paragraphs

Readers need paragraph breaks in order to organize their reading. Writers need paragraph breaks to organize their writing. A paragraph break indicates a change in focus, topic, specificity, point of view, or rhetorical strategy. The paragraph should have one main idea; the topic sentence expresses this idea. The paragraph should be organized either spatially, chronologically, or logically. The movement may be from general to specific, specific to general, or general to specific to general. All paragraphs must contain developed ideas: comparisons, examples, explanations, definitions, causes, effects, processes, or descriptions. There are several concluding strategies which may be combined or used singly, depending on the assignment’s length and purpose:

• a summary of the main points
• a hook and return to the introductory “attention-getter” to frame the essay
• a web conclusion which relates the topic to a larger context of a greater significance
• a proposal calling for action or further examination of the topic
• a question which provokes the reader
• a vivid image or compelling narrative [3]

Put Paragraphs into Sections You should be able to group your paragraphs so that they make a particular point or argument that supports your thesis.  If any paragraph, besides the introduction or conclusion, cannot fit into any section, you may have to ask yourself whether it belongs in the essay.

Re-examine each Section Assuming you have more than one paragraph under each section, try to distinguish between them. Perhaps you have two arguments in favor of that can be distinguished from each other by author, logic, ethical principles invoked, etc. Write down the distinctions — they will help you formulate clear topic sentences.

Re-examine the Entire Argument Which section do you want to appear first? Why? Which Second? Why? In what order should the paragraphs appear in each section? Look for an order that makes the strongest possible argument. [4]

• Organizing an Essay ↵
• Reorganizing Your Draft ↵
• Parts of an Essay ↵
• Authored by : J. Indigo Eriksen. Provided by : Blue Ridge Community College. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Image of kitchen. Authored by : Elissa Merola. Located at : https://flic.kr/p/5u4XQt . License : CC BY-NC-ND: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives
• Image of two men talking. Authored by : Lovelorn Poets. Located at : https://flic.kr/p/at9FgL . License : CC BY: Attribution
• Organizing an Essay. Authored by : Robin Parent. Provided by : Utah State University English Department. Project : USU Open CourseWare Initiative. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

ESSAY ORGANIZATION: HOME

Introduction.

Organization refers to the order you want to put your ideas in a paper. The organizational pattern you use should fit your subject and purpose. 

BASIC ESSAY STRUCTURE

COMMON ORGANIZATION PATTERNS

Time order – presents a sequence of events

Space Order – presents, most typically, a description of a person, place or thing.

Logical Order – presents ideas in most effective way, either from general to specific, for example, or least important to most important. 

DIFFERENT TYPES OF LOGICAL ORGANIZATION

• LOGICAL ORGANIZATION
• ILLUSTRATION
• CLASSIFICATION
• COMPARISON & CONTRAST
• CAUSE & EFFECT
• PROBLEM & SOLUTION

In much of your writing, you will use a combination of the following logical orders, along with perhaps special and time order. 

(From The Everyday Writer)

Using examples to illustrate the main topic.

Writing what something is or is not.

Breaking a single topic into separate parts.

Grouping separate items of information about a topic according to their similarities.

To compare means to find the similarities between two things, while to contrast means to find the differences.

An analysis in which the writer determines the cause of an event, for an example, and its effects.

Presenting first a problem and then its solution.

Analogy establishes connections between two things or ideas.

COMPARISON & CONTRAST VIDEO

CLASSIFICATION ESSAY OR PARAGRAPH

RATE THIS GUIDE

PROCESS PARAGRAPH AND PROCESS ESSAY

• Last Updated: Nov 22, 2017 11:58 AM
• URL: https://guides.kendall.edu/organization

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• The four main types of essay | Quick guide with examples

The Four Main Types of Essay | Quick Guide with Examples

Published on September 4, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays.

Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and descriptive essays are about exercising creativity and writing in an interesting way. At university level, argumentative essays are the most common type. 

In high school and college, you will also often have to write textual analysis essays, which test your skills in close reading and interpretation.

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Table of contents

Argumentative essays, expository essays, narrative essays, descriptive essays, textual analysis essays, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about types of essays.

An argumentative essay presents an extended, evidence-based argument. It requires a strong thesis statement —a clearly defined stance on your topic. Your aim is to convince the reader of your thesis using evidence (such as quotations ) and analysis.

Argumentative essays test your ability to research and present your own position on a topic. This is the most common type of essay at college level—most papers you write will involve some kind of argumentation.

The essay is divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion:

• The introduction provides your topic and thesis statement
• The body presents your evidence and arguments
• The conclusion summarizes your argument and emphasizes its importance

The example below is a paragraph from the body of an argumentative essay about the effects of the internet on education. Mouse over it to learn more.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a topic. It doesn’t require an original argument, just a balanced and well-organized view of the topic.

Expository essays test your familiarity with a topic and your ability to organize and convey information. They are commonly assigned at high school or in exam questions at college level.

The introduction of an expository essay states your topic and provides some general background, the body presents the details, and the conclusion summarizes the information presented.

A typical body paragraph from an expository essay about the invention of the printing press is shown below. Mouse over it to learn more.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

A narrative essay is one that tells a story. This is usually a story about a personal experience you had, but it may also be an imaginative exploration of something you have not experienced.

Narrative essays test your ability to build up a narrative in an engaging, well-structured way. They are much more personal and creative than other kinds of academic writing . Writing a personal statement for an application requires the same skills as a narrative essay.

A narrative essay isn’t strictly divided into introduction, body, and conclusion, but it should still begin by setting up the narrative and finish by expressing the point of the story—what you learned from your experience, or why it made an impression on you.

Mouse over the example below, a short narrative essay responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” to explore its structure.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

A descriptive essay provides a detailed sensory description of something. Like narrative essays, they allow you to be more creative than most academic writing, but they are more tightly focused than narrative essays. You might describe a specific place or object, rather than telling a whole story.

Descriptive essays test your ability to use language creatively, making striking word choices to convey a memorable picture of what you’re describing.

A descriptive essay can be quite loosely structured, though it should usually begin by introducing the object of your description and end by drawing an overall picture of it. The important thing is to use careful word choices and figurative language to create an original description of your object.

Mouse over the example below, a response to the prompt “Describe a place you love to spend time in,” to learn more about descriptive essays.

On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.

My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbours. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the safety of the kitchen.

With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…

Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting.

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Though every essay type tests your writing skills, some essays also test your ability to read carefully and critically. In a textual analysis essay, you don’t just present information on a topic, but closely analyze a text to explain how it achieves certain effects.

Rhetorical analysis

A rhetorical analysis looks at a persuasive text (e.g. a speech, an essay, a political cartoon) in terms of the rhetorical devices it uses, and evaluates their effectiveness.

The goal is not to state whether you agree with the author’s argument but to look at how they have constructed it.

The introduction of a rhetorical analysis presents the text, some background information, and your thesis statement; the body comprises the analysis itself; and the conclusion wraps up your analysis of the text, emphasizing its relevance to broader concerns.

The example below is from a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech . Mouse over it to learn more.

King’s speech is infused with prophetic language throughout. Even before the famous “dream” part of the speech, King’s language consistently strikes a prophetic tone. He refers to the Lincoln Memorial as a “hallowed spot” and speaks of rising “from the dark and desolate valley of segregation” to “make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” The assumption of this prophetic voice constitutes the text’s strongest ethical appeal; after linking himself with political figures like Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, King’s ethos adopts a distinctly religious tone, recalling Biblical prophets and preachers of change from across history. This adds significant force to his words; standing before an audience of hundreds of thousands, he states not just what the future should be, but what it will be: “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” This warning is almost apocalyptic in tone, though it concludes with the positive image of the “bright day of justice.” The power of King’s rhetoric thus stems not only from the pathos of his vision of a brighter future, but from the ethos of the prophetic voice he adopts in expressing this vision.

Literary analysis

A literary analysis essay presents a close reading of a work of literature—e.g. a poem or novel—to explore the choices made by the author and how they help to convey the text’s theme. It is not simply a book report or a review, but an in-depth interpretation of the text.

Literary analysis looks at things like setting, characters, themes, and figurative language. The goal is to closely analyze what the author conveys and how.

The introduction of a literary analysis essay presents the text and background, and provides your thesis statement; the body consists of close readings of the text with quotations and analysis in support of your argument; and the conclusion emphasizes what your approach tells us about the text.

Mouse over the example below, the introduction to a literary analysis essay on Frankenstein , to learn more.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, protagonist Victor Frankenstein is a stable representation of the callous ambition of modern science throughout the novel. This essay, however, argues that far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to portray Frankenstein in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as. This essay begins by exploring the positive portrayal of Frankenstein in the first volume, then moves on to the creature’s perception of him, and finally discusses the third volume’s narrative shift toward viewing Frankenstein as the creature views him.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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At high school and in composition classes at university, you’ll often be told to write a specific type of essay , but you might also just be given prompts.

Look for keywords in these prompts that suggest a certain approach: The word “explain” suggests you should write an expository essay , while the word “describe” implies a descriptive essay . An argumentative essay might be prompted with the word “assess” or “argue.”

The vast majority of essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Almost all academic writing involves building up an argument, though other types of essay might be assigned in composition classes.

Essays can present arguments about all kinds of different topics. For example:

• In a literary analysis essay, you might make an argument for a specific interpretation of a text
• In a history essay, you might present an argument for the importance of a particular event
• In a politics essay, you might argue for the validity of a certain political theory

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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Top 9 Writing Organizational Patterns

If you are interested in learning about writing organizational patterns, here are some of the top patterns below that are perfect for your next writing project. 

Regardless of whether you are an avid reader or an avid writer, there are numerous patterns of organization that you may spot in writing. Different organizational patterns are helpful in different types of writing, so the proper organizational structure in one piece of writing might not be the same as the correct organizational pattern and another essay.

What are some top writing organizational patterns you may want to incorporate in your work?

1. Sequential Patterns

2. chronological patterns, 3. pros and cons, 4. spatial patterns, 5. compare and contrast patterns, 6. cause-effect patterns, 7. a topical pattern, 8. a problem and solution pattern, 9. a classification pattern.

Sequential patterns are among the most basic of all organizational writing patterns. Essentially, the author takes some information and arranges it in a process. Each section of the writing represents the main step someone has to follow. It is broken up in this way to make it easier for the reader to follow along.

For example, the writer might create an essay describing to someone how to boil water. Then, the writer will break it up into multiple steps. Some of the steps might be as follows:

• Step 1: Get a pot that is large enough to hold water.
• Step 2: Fill the pot with water from the sink.
• Step 3: Place the pot on the stove.
• Step 4: Turn the stove on by igniting it or turning on the electric burner.
• Step 5: Wait until the water begins to bubble. 

Keep in mind that the steps might be much longer than this if the topic is more involved. This is just a basic example of how a writer might use a sequential pattern to describe to someone else how to boil water, painting a mental picture.

One of the most popular patterns you may spot in writing is chronological order. This is relatively straightforward. It is an organization of important events or ideas scattered across time. In general, chronological patterns move forward in history, but there might also be situations where they move backward. Typically, the writer will devote a chapter, a section, or a paragraph to a particular moment in time. Then, the writer will move forward, using transitions from event to event, going down the time order.

For example, the author might want to create a timeline of all the wars in which the United States has been involved. The author may start with the American Revolutionary War, which started in the 1700s. Then, the writer may move forward, covering wars in the 19th century next. This might include the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the American Civil War, and the Spanish-American war. Finally, the writer may discuss wars of the 20th century, including World War 1, World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. This is one of the most straightforward patterns to understand because the author moves forward in time with each event. 

A list of advantages-disadvantages is a typical organizational pattern that a writer will use, mainly when discussing multiple topics that fall under the same category. The idea is that it makes it easy for readers to follow along as multiple topics are being laid out under the same category. In addition, by looking at each option’s benefits and drawbacks, it is easier for readers to figure out what is right for them.

For example, the writer might be talking about different investment vehicles. Each investment vehicle has its benefits and drawbacks. As an example of how this essay might be laid out, the writer might use the following:

• Stocks: The writer will discuss the pros and cons of investing in individual stocks, using a list of pros and cons.
• Mutual Funds: The writer will use a list to discuss the pros and cons of investing in mutual funds.
• Bonds: The writer will talk about the pros and cons of investing in bonds, with another list of pros and cons.

This organizational pattern makes it easy for the reader to identify the essential points from each category.

Another typical pattern that a writer might use is called a spatial pattern. A spatial pattern is an essay or catalog of different events, people, or existing buildings and specific geographic patterns. Essentially, the writer will use this pattern to paint a mental image for the reader, making it easier for them to figure out how certain areas are laid out. 

For example, if a writer uses a spatial pattern to describe Europe, they might dedicate a section of the essay to different regions. This might include Eastern Europe, which is on the edge of Russia; Central Europe, which might include areas such as Austria and Italy; and Western Europe, which could include France and Spain. The writer might also include Scandinavia, which includes Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

For example, a writer could also use a spatial pattern to divide New York City, making it easier for the reader to understand how the city has been laid out. The writer might break up the essay with a different section focusing on each borough. It might include:

• Manhattan: A description of all of the important points of interest in Manhattan.
• Brooklyn: A description of all the important points of interest in Brooklyn.
• The Bronx: A description of all the important points of interest in The Bronx.
• Harlem: A description of all the important points of interest in Harlem.
• Staten Island: A description of all the important points of interest in Staten Island.

Within each section, the writer might talk about smaller areas, such as the West Side, the Lower East Side, Chinatown, and Little Italy. 

The next popular pattern that a writer might use is called a compare and contrast pattern. As the name suggests, the author will compare and contrast two different topics in multiple ways. For example, if the writer is crafting an essay on sports, then the writer might talk about how the New York Mets and the New York Yankees are different, even though both of them play Major League Baseball. Or, the writer might take a broader view and talk about how the major leagues are different than the minor leagues.

As one specific example, the writer might want to talk about how educational programs are different between community colleges and four-year colleges. Some of the sections of this essay might include:

• Tuition Expenses: The writer will discuss how the cost of traditional college and community college vary.
• Housing: The writer might also discuss how housing situations vary between traditional colleges and community colleges. 
• Variety of Educational Programs: Next, the essay might explore how educational programs are different between traditional colleges and community colleges.
• Job Prospects: Finally, the essay might also explore how job prospects are different for people who graduated from community college or a traditional undergraduate program.

This organizational pattern makes it easy for people to spot the differences between both programs. 

The writer might also elect to go with a cause-and-effect pattern. This is particularly helpful if the writer is taking a look at a historical event or if the writer is trying to push for a specific action that can be used to solve the problem. 

Essentially, the writer can decide to divide the essay into two major sections. The first talks about the causes of that issue, and the second talks about the effects of that event. As an example:

Causes of the Civil War

• Cause 2 

Effects of the Civil War

If the writer is trying to construct a persuasive essay on the causes and effects of the Civil War, this is a very easy way to lay it out.

The other way to lay out this type of essay is to devote one section to each cause and then list the effects under that cause. An example of an essay talking about global warming might be laid out as follows:

Cause of Global Warming 1

Cause of Global Warming 2

Cause of Global Warming 3

The writer is able to see the effect relationship of the essay as it moves forward. 

A topical pattern is one of the most commonly used patterns in all writing. Essentially, this is a great organizational pattern to use if you are having difficulty finding another pattern that will work well. One topic is often broken up into multiple subtopics, making it easier for the reader to follow along.

For example, you might look at an essay about American sports. There are a lot of leagues and teams to discuss, so you might want to lay it out by topic. One suggested organizational pattern could be as follows:

• Teams in the AFC
• Teams in the NFC
• Teams in the Eastern Conference
• Teams in the Western Conference
• Teams in the American League
• Teams in the National League

There are multiple divisions in each conference as well. Therefore, you could break it down further if you would like. For example, if you are talking about teams in the NFC in the NFL, you could discuss the NFC North, the NFC South, the NFC East, and the NFC West in each individual section. 

You may also want to divide your essay into problem-solution patterns. This essay is relatively straightforward. It has two main sections. The first section will discuss a problem. Then, it will talk about all of the reasons why it is such a big problem. Then, in the second section, you will talk about different solutions to that problem, trying to convince the reader to take a specific action.

For example, you might want to write an essay on why diet and exercise are great solutions for overweight people might break up your essay into multiple sections, including:

Problem: Obesity

• Obesity causes self-esteem issues.
• Obesity causes long-term joint pain
• Obesity increases your risk of developing heart attacks and strokes.

Solution: Diet and Exercise

• Everyone can eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly, so it is not that expensive.
• It is a sustainable solution that does not require taking prescription medications.
• It has a much lower risk of leading to complications and side effects. 

Having a formal structure in place can make it easier for your reader to follow along as the effect of various conditions is explained. 

You might also be interested in classifying different items into different categories based on specific defining characteristics. If you have a broader topic that you need to cover, you may want to include specific topics in certain areas based on shared characteristics. 

One example of this type of pattern in action is hurricanes. Suppose you have been tasked to divide some of the most important hurricanes in the history of the United States into different categories. In that case, you may decide to do so by classifying them based on the Saffir-Simpson scale. This is the scale that divides hurricanes based on wind speed. The essay would be categorized as follows:

• Category 1 Hurricanes: List of the most important category 1 hurricanes.
• Category 2 Hurricanes: List of the most important category 2 hurricanes.
• Category 3 Hurricanes: List of the most important category 3 hurricanes.
• Category 4 Hurricanes: List of the most important category 4 hurricanes.
• Category 5 Hurricanes: List of the most important category 5 hurricanes.

You may have more hurricanes in the lower categories because hurricanes that are major hurricanes tend to do more damage. 

If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Meet Rachael, the editor at Become a Writer Today. With years of experience in the field, she is passionate about language and dedicated to producing high-quality content that engages and informs readers. When she's not editing or writing, you can find her exploring the great outdoors, finding inspiration for her next project.

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Organizing Your Argument

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This page summarizes three historical methods for argumentation, providing structural templates for each.

How can I effectively present my argument?

In order for your argument to be persuasive, it must use an organizational structure that the audience perceives as both logical and easy to parse. Three argumentative methods —the  Toulmin Method , Classical Method , and Rogerian Method — give guidance for how to organize the points in an argument.

Note that these are only three of the most popular models for organizing an argument. Alternatives exist. Be sure to consult your instructor and/or defer to your assignment’s directions if you’re unsure which to use (if any).

Toulmin Method

The  Toulmin Method  is a formula that allows writers to build a sturdy logical foundation for their arguments. First proposed by author Stephen Toulmin in  The Uses of Argument (1958), the Toulmin Method emphasizes building a thorough support structure for each of an argument's key claims.

The basic format for the Toulmin Method  is as follows:

Claim:  In this section, you explain your overall thesis on the subject. In other words, you make your main argument.

Data (Grounds):  You should use evidence to support the claim. In other words, provide the reader with facts that prove your argument is strong.

Warrant (Bridge):  In this section, you explain why or how your data supports the claim. As a result, the underlying assumption that you build your argument on is grounded in reason.

Backing (Foundation):  Here, you provide any additional logic or reasoning that may be necessary to support the warrant.

Counterclaim:  You should anticipate a counterclaim that negates the main points in your argument. Don't avoid arguments that oppose your own. Instead, become familiar with the opposing perspective.   If you respond to counterclaims, you appear unbiased (and, therefore, you earn the respect of your readers). You may even want to include several counterclaims to show that you have thoroughly researched the topic.

Rebuttal:  In this section, you incorporate your own evidence that disagrees with the counterclaim. It is essential to include a thorough warrant or bridge to strengthen your essay’s argument. If you present data to your audience without explaining how it supports your thesis, your readers may not make a connection between the two, or they may draw different conclusions.

Example of the Toulmin Method:

Claim:  Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution.

Data1:  Driving a private car is a typical citizen's most air-polluting activity.

Warrant 1:  Due to the fact that cars are the largest source of private (as opposed to industrial) air pollution, switching to hybrid cars should have an impact on fighting pollution.

Data 2:  Each vehicle produced is going to stay on the road for roughly 12 to 15 years.

Warrant 2:  Cars generally have a long lifespan, meaning that the decision to switch to a hybrid car will make a long-term impact on pollution levels.

Data 3:  Hybrid cars combine a gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor.

Warrant 3:  The combination of these technologies produces less pollution.

Counterclaim:  Instead of focusing on cars, which still encourages an inefficient culture of driving even as it cuts down on pollution, the nation should focus on building and encouraging the use of mass transit systems.

Rebuttal:  While mass transit is an idea that should be encouraged, it is not feasible in many rural and suburban areas, or for people who must commute to work. Thus, hybrid cars are a better solution for much of the nation's population.

Rogerian Method

The Rogerian Method  (named for, but not developed by, influential American psychotherapist Carl R. Rogers) is a popular method for controversial issues. This strategy seeks to find a common ground between parties by making the audience understand perspectives that stretch beyond (or even run counter to) the writer’s position. Moreso than other methods, it places an emphasis on reiterating an opponent's argument to his or her satisfaction. The persuasive power of the Rogerian Method lies in its ability to define the terms of the argument in such a way that:

• your position seems like a reasonable compromise.
• you seem compassionate and empathetic.

The basic format of the Rogerian Method  is as follows:

Introduction:  Introduce the issue to the audience, striving to remain as objective as possible.

Opposing View : Explain the other side’s position in an unbiased way. When you discuss the counterargument without judgement, the opposing side can see how you do not directly dismiss perspectives which conflict with your stance.

Statement of Validity (Understanding):  This section discusses how you acknowledge how the other side’s points can be valid under certain circumstances. You identify how and why their perspective makes sense in a specific context, but still present your own argument.

Statement of Your Position:  By this point, you have demonstrated that you understand the other side’s viewpoint. In this section, you explain your own stance.

Statement of Contexts : Explore scenarios in which your position has merit. When you explain how your argument is most appropriate for certain contexts, the reader can recognize that you acknowledge the multiple ways to view the complex issue.

Statement of Benefits:  You should conclude by explaining to the opposing side why they would benefit from accepting your position. By explaining the advantages of your argument, you close on a positive note without completely dismissing the other side’s perspective.

Example of the Rogerian Method:

Introduction:  The issue of whether children should wear school uniforms is subject to some debate.

Opposing View:  Some parents think that requiring children to wear uniforms is best.

Statement of Validity (Understanding):  Those parents who support uniforms argue that, when all students wear the same uniform, the students can develop a unified sense of school pride and inclusiveness.

Statement of Your Position : Students should not be required to wear school uniforms. Mandatory uniforms would forbid choices that allow students to be creative and express themselves through clothing.

Statement of Contexts:  However, even if uniforms might hypothetically promote inclusivity, in most real-life contexts, administrators can use uniform policies to enforce conformity. Students should have the option to explore their identity through clothing without the fear of being ostracized.

Statement of Benefits:  Though both sides seek to promote students' best interests, students should not be required to wear school uniforms. By giving students freedom over their choice, students can explore their self-identity by choosing how to present themselves to their peers.

Classical Method

The Classical Method of structuring an argument is another common way to organize your points. Originally devised by the Greek philosopher Aristotle (and then later developed by Roman thinkers like Cicero and Quintilian), classical arguments tend to focus on issues of definition and the careful application of evidence. Thus, the underlying assumption of classical argumentation is that, when all parties understand the issue perfectly, the correct course of action will be clear.

The basic format of the Classical Method  is as follows:

Introduction (Exordium): Introduce the issue and explain its significance. You should also establish your credibility and the topic’s legitimacy.

Statement of Background (Narratio): Present vital contextual or historical information to the audience to further their understanding of the issue. By doing so, you provide the reader with a working knowledge about the topic independent of your own stance.

Proposition (Propositio): After you provide the reader with contextual knowledge, you are ready to state your claims which relate to the information you have provided previously. This section outlines your major points for the reader.

Proof (Confirmatio): You should explain your reasons and evidence to the reader. Be sure to thoroughly justify your reasons. In this section, if necessary, you can provide supplementary evidence and subpoints.

Refutation (Refuatio): In this section, you address anticipated counterarguments that disagree with your thesis. Though you acknowledge the other side’s perspective, it is important to prove why your stance is more logical.  

Conclusion (Peroratio): You should summarize your main points. The conclusion also caters to the reader’s emotions and values. The use of pathos here makes the reader more inclined to consider your argument.  

Example of the Classical Method:  

Introduction (Exordium): Millions of workers are paid a set hourly wage nationwide. The federal minimum wage is standardized to protect workers from being paid too little. Research points to many viewpoints on how much to pay these workers. Some families cannot afford to support their households on the current wages provided for performing a minimum wage job .

Statement of Background (Narratio): Currently, millions of American workers struggle to make ends meet on a minimum wage. This puts a strain on workers’ personal and professional lives. Some work multiple jobs to provide for their families.

Proposition (Propositio): The current federal minimum wage should be increased to better accommodate millions of overworked Americans. By raising the minimum wage, workers can spend more time cultivating their livelihoods.

Proof (Confirmatio): According to the United States Department of Labor, 80.4 million Americans work for an hourly wage, but nearly 1.3 million receive wages less than the federal minimum. The pay raise will alleviate the stress of these workers. Their lives would benefit from this raise because it affects multiple areas of their lives.

Refutation (Refuatio): There is some evidence that raising the federal wage might increase the cost of living. However, other evidence contradicts this or suggests that the increase would not be great. Additionally,   worries about a cost of living increase must be balanced with the benefits of providing necessary funds to millions of hardworking Americans.

Conclusion (Peroratio): If the federal minimum wage was raised, many workers could alleviate some of their financial burdens. As a result, their emotional wellbeing would improve overall. Though some argue that the cost of living could increase, the benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks.

The 4 Types of Organizational Culture and Their Benefits

Organizational culture influences the success of your company, directly affecting the sort of candidates you attract and the employees you hold onto. There are several different types of organizational culture too; so you have to find the one that works best for you.

What Is Organizational Culture?

Organizational culture, or company culture, is the shared values, attitudes and practices that make up the identity of an organization. It largely shapes employee behavior and interactions within a company. 

Organizational culture, also known as  company culture , is defined as the shared values, attitudes and practices that characterize an organization. It’s the personality of your company, and it plays a large part in your employees’ overall satisfaction.

Having a strong organizational culture is important because it helps attract the right candidates and it keeps them engaged as employees. According to a 2019 Glassdoor study , 77 percent of adults would evaluate a company’s culture before applying to an open position, with more than half ranking an organization’s organizational culture as more important than compensation. And an SHRM study from 2021 revealed that 94 percent of people managers believe a positive workplace culture helps retain employees.

Creating a winning organizational culture takes a lot of time and effort — your culture must accurately reflect your values and align with your overall mission. It’s a big to-do, but don’t get discouraged: your efforts will pay off in the long run.

While any given organizational culture will evolve with time — especially as the team grows and onboards more people — you can take steps to tailor your culture to better fit your organization’s values and mission. But first, you need to understand the type of organizational culture your company has.

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4 Types of Organizational Culture

There are four main types of organizational culture, which come from Robert E. Quinn and Kim S. Cameron of the University of Michigan, who investigated the qualities that make businesses effective. From a list of 39 attributes, the researchers identified two key polarities: (1) internal focus and integration vs. external focus and differentiation, and (2) flexibility and discretion vs. stability and control.

Types of Organizational Culture

• Clan Culture: emphasizes collaboration across teams and a horizontal structure. 
• Adhocracy Culture: allows individuals to share ideas and encourages the company to take risks. 
• Market Culture: focuses on financial success and how each employee contributes to revenue. 
• Hierarchy Culture: emphasizes career paths and provides clear managerial processes.  

These qualities are visually represented within the Competing Values Framework, which is part of the validated and widely-used Organizational Cultural Assessment Instrument . Although there are several types of organizational culture, Quinn and Cameron’s four types are generally accepted and appear to influence any variations. These four types of organizational culture are neither good nor bad, but they do provide frameworks that company leadership can lean on. 

Understanding what type of organizational culture your company has can help you identify what makes your company stand out to candidates. When you know why your organization’s culture is unique, you can highlight these attributes in your recruitment marketing materials. Recognizing the type of company culture you have can also help you write your core values and mission statement . 

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Type 1: Clan Culture

Primary Focus: Mentorship and teamwork.

Motto: “We’re all in this together.”

About Clan Culture: A clan culture is people-focused in the sense that the company feels family-like. This is a highly collaborative work environment where every individual is valued and communication is a top priority. Clan culture is often paired with a horizontal structure, which helps to break down barriers between the C-suite and employees, and it encourages mentorship opportunities . These companies are action-oriented and embrace change, a testament to their highly flexible nature.

Clan Culture Definition

• Clan culture is a collaborative model usually paired with horizontal company structure.
• Communication is key to this type of culture. 
• Companies can implement clan culture by asking for direct feedback for employees and taking action based on their suggestions.

Advantages of Clan Culture:  Clan cultures boast high rates of employee engagement , and happy employees make for happy customers. Because of its highly adaptable environment, there’s a great possibility for market growth within a clan culture.

Disadvantages of Clan Culture:  A family-style corporate culture is difficult to maintain as the company grows. Plus, with a horizontal leadership structure, day-to-day operations can seem cluttered and lacking direction.

Where You’ll Find Clan Culture: It’s no surprise that clan cultures are often seen in startups and smaller companies. Young organizations that are just starting out put a heavy emphasis on collaboration and communication, leadership looks to employees for feedback and ideas and companies prioritize team-building. 

For companies with a large percentage of employees working remotely like HR tech provider Hireology , creating an empathetic and communicative organizational culture is key to success. “When you have a blended team, your local staff can help bridge gaps and build empathy,” Joel Schlundt, vice president of engineering at Hireology, said. The team coordinated job swaps to help employees better understand and appreciate their peers’ roles.

How to Create Clan Culture Within Your Organization: To cultivate a clan culture within your company, your first step is to turn to your employees. Communication is vital to a successful clan culture, so let your team know that you’re open to feedback. Find out what they value, what they’d like to see change, what ideas they have to help push the company further. Step two: take their thoughts into account and put them into action.

Type 2: Adhocracy Culture

Primary Focus: Risk-taking and innovation.

Motto: “Risk it to get the biscuit.”

About Adhocracy Culture: Adhocracy cultures are rooted in innovation and adaptability. These are the companies that are on the cutting-edge of their industry — they’re looking to develop the next big thing before anyone else has even started asking the right questions. To do so, they need to take risks. Adhocracy cultures value individuality in the sense that employees are encouraged to think creatively and bring their ideas to the table. Because this type of organizational culture falls within the external focus and differentiation category, new ideas need to be tied to market growth and company success.

Adhocracy Culture Definition

• Adhocracy culture puts a focus on employees adapting and innovating. 
• This culture helps companies take risks and invites individuals to share their ideas. 
• Companies can implement adhocracy culture by hosting strategy and brainstorming sessions.   

Advantages of Adhocracy Culture: An adhocracy culture contributes to high profit margins and notoriety. Employees stay motivated with the goal of breaking the mold. Plus, with a focus on creativity and new ideas, professional development opportunities are easy to justify.

Disadvantages of Adhocracy Culture: Risk is risk, so there’s always a chance that a new venture won’t pan out and may even hurt your business. Adhocracy cultures can also foster competition between employees as the pressure to come up with new ideas mounts.

Where You’ll Find Adhocracy Culture: Think of Google or Apple — these are companies that embody the external focus and risk-taking nature of adhocracy culture. They run on creative energy and doing what hasn’t been done before. Adhocracy cultures are commonplace within the ever-changing tech industry where new products are being developed and released on a regular basis.

How to Create Adhocracy Culture Within Your Organization: Depending on your industry, it may be hard to develop an authentic adhocracy culture that includes a high-risk business strategy. However, implementing strategy and brainstorming sessions provides employees with the opportunity to share big ideas that can help to propel the company further. Rewarding successful ideas encourages teams to think outside of the box, too.

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Type 3: Market Culture 

Primary Focus: Competition and growth.

Motto: “We’re in it to win it.”

About Market Culture: Market culture prioritizes profitability. Everything is evaluated with the bottom line in mind; each position has an objective that aligns with the company’s larger goal, and there are often several degrees of separation between employees and leadership roles. These are results-oriented organizations that focus on external success rather than internal satisfaction. A market culture stresses the importance of meeting quotas , reaching targets and getting results. 

Market Culture Definition

• Companies with a market culture are focused on financial success and meeting goals and targets. 
• Each employee working within market culture plays a distinct part in reaching the company’s larger goals. 
• Companies can implement market culture by analyzing each role within the company and determining the ROI of each role. Rewarding top performers will motivate employees.

Advantages of Market Culture: Companies that boast market cultures are profitable and successful. Because the entire organization is externally focused, there’s a key objective employees can get behind and work toward.

Disadvantages of Market Culture: On the other hand, because there’s a number tied to every decision, project and position within the company, it can be difficult for employees to meaningfully engage with their work and live out their professional purpose. There is also risk for burnout in this aggressive and fast-paced environment.

Where You’ll Find Market Culture: The goal of a market culture company is to be the best in its industry. Because of that, these are often larger companies that are already leaders of the pack. They’re looking to compete and beat out anyone else that may compare.

For an industry leader like Bluecore , a retail marketing platform that utilizes AI technology , providing employees with clear objectives helps the team provide all-star customer service. “Our team is clear on its goals, and we are incentivized through compensation structure and recognition,” Kim Surko, vice president of customer success, said. “With that foundation, we can apply our personality and values to define how we will accomplish those goals.” 

How to Create Market Culture Within Your Organization: Because every aspect of a market culture is tied to the company’s bottom line, start by evaluating each position within your organization. Calculate the ROI of every role and ascribe reasonable benchmarks for production. Consider rewarding top performers to encourage similar work.

Type 4: Hierarchy Culture

Primary Focus: Structure and stability.

Motto: “Get it done right. ”

About Hierarchy Culture: Companies with hierarchy cultures adhere to the traditional corporate structure. These are companies focused on internal organization by way of a clear chain of command and multiple management tiers that separate employees and leadership. In addition to a rigid structure, there’s often a dress code for employees to follow. Hierarchy cultures have a set way of doing things, which makes them stable and risk-averse.

Hierarchy Culture Definition

• Companies with hierarchy culture have a clear chain of command and detailed career paths within the organization. 
• These companies tend to avoid risk and focus on internal organization. 
• Companies can implement hierarchy culture by ensuring each department and team has clear and concise processes and managerial structure.   

Advantages of Hierarchy Culture: With internal organization as a priority, hierarchy cultures have clear direction. There are well-defined processes that cater to the company’s main objectives.

Disadvantages of Hierarchy Culture: The rigidity of hierarchy cultures leaves little room for creativity, making these companies relatively slow to adapt to the changing marketplace. The company takes precedence over the individual, which doesn’t necessarily encourage employee feedback.

Where You’ll Find Hierarchy Culture: Hierarchy cultures can be found at both ends of the corporate spectrum, from old-school organizations to those of the customer service industry, such as fast food restaurants. These are companies that are hyper-focused on how day-to-day operations are carried out and aren’t interested in changing things up anytime soon.

How to Create Hierarchy Culture Within Your Organization: The first step to establishing a hierarchy culture is to button up your processes. If the chain of command has some gaps, fill them. Consider every team and department to ensure they have clear long- and short-term goals.

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Other Types of Organizational Culture

Outside of these four main categories of organizational culture, there are a few more worth noting. 

Purpose Culture

Purpose culture focuses on a company’s mission and core values. These aspects drive the culture. Often companies with this culture will have a mission of changing an industry or community for the better. One example of this can be seen in Patagonia ’s mission statement : “We’re in business to save our home planet.” 

Coaching Culture

In a company with a coaching culture senior leadership is responsible for mentoring their employees and ensuring that individuals advance in their careers. Various coaching techniques, such as providing assessments on specific projects or one-on-one meetings where expectations and personal goals are discussed, typically drive this style of culture. 

Related 5 Companies With Interesting Organizational Cultures

Accountability Culture

Accountability culture means that everyone within the organization, including the CEO and senior leadership, are responsible and held accountable for their own actions and performance. This can look like employees taking ownership of their mistakes and openly questioning how they can learn from them as well as recognizing colleagues when they have excelled in their role.

Learning Culture 

Companies with a learning culture put a special emphasis on learning and development opportunities . These organizations often have company-wide workshops and encourage employees to learn skills outside of what is immediately required for their role, providing stipends for various educational opportunities . 

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How to Identify Your Organizational Culture

Your organizational culture says a lot about your team and what you value, and job seekers can pick up on that almost immediately. If you’re not sure where your organization lands on this list, you’re not alone. Cameron and Quinn developed an assessment tool that helps companies identify their organizational culture. 

Once you evaluate your existing organizational culture, take stock of what truly matters to your organization: Where are you aligned? What are your areas for improvement? 

If you think a different kind of organizational culture would work better for your company and employees, take steps to shift it . While that looks different from company to company, you’ll generally want to start by defining and assessing the current culture, financial goals, company structure, mission and core values. Then continually evaluate your culture and the progress you’ve made toward your organizational culture goals.

Struggling with employer brand amidst layoffs, bad press, and other types of organizational change? Join us for insights + interactive breakout sessions with peers who share your challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is organizational culture.

Organizational culture, or company culture, is the shared values, practices and attitudes that characterize an organization. It defines the overall personality and working environment of a company, and has a significant impact on employee behavior and satisfaction.

What are the 4 types of organizational culture?

The four main types of organizational culture include:

• Clan culture 
• Adhocracy culture
• Market culture
• Hierarchy culture

What does a good organizational culture look like?

A good or positive organizational culture is often one that fosters mutual respect, growth opportunities and shared goals amongst employees. This kind of organizational culture also reflects a company's core values and aligns with the company's overarching mission.

What are the 7 characteristics of organizational culture?

The seven characteristics of organizational culture include:

• Attention to detail 
• Emphasis on outcome and results 
• Emphasis on people and relationships
• Aggressiveness or competitive nature

Organizational cultures are comprised of all of these characteristics to some degree. However, the prioritization and value put to each characteristic will vary depending on the company and its type of culture.

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