Chronological – Discusses events in time order.

Ex. When attempting to persuade your boss to implement a new process at work, you could list events or problems (in the order that they occurred) that show why a new process is necessary.

 Known to Unknown or Simple to Complex – Leads readers from what is familiar to them or easy to understand, to what might not already be known or understood. 

Ex.  When trying to persuade a friend that the “theater of the absurd” not only makes sense, but that it follows rigid rules, it might be best to first identify the rules of regular theater and then to relate the rules for the theater of the absurd.

 Comparison and Contrast – Identifies the similarities and differences between two groups or ideas.  There are two ways of organizing within this type:  point by point or item by item order. 

Point by point deals with one aspect of the topic at a time, showing comparison and contrast before moving on to another element of similarity or difference.  This method is a great way to show the reader the relationships within your topic.

Ex.  If you are trying to persuade your parents to let you go away on Spring Break (without them) you might tell them all the good things about the place you want to go versus the bad thins about staying home, then you might discuss (if you were really creative) all the things you would learn while you were on Spring Break if they let you go versus learning nothing by staying at home…. 

Item by item lists or presents all the material about one subject before moving on to all of the material about the second subject.

Ex.  Same situation, but you tell your parents all the bad things about staying home and then all the good things about going away.

 General to Particular – Begins with a fairly broad idea and then arranges the remaining information as a series of specific supporting points.

 Particular to General – Presents a series of specific pieces of information which bring the reader to a generalization.

 Problem to Solution – Presents a problem (or identifies it), explains the various aspects of it, and then suggests solutions to it.

 Cause to Effect or Effect to Cause – Begins with a situation and identifies its causes or its effects.