English 2053- Report Writing

The "Power Point" Organizational Pattern

This is the pattern of organization you should use for most of your documents for this class.

Introduction

• Set the context of the document and provide an overall framework that the reader can quickly grasp. This framework should allow them to place the details in perspective later.
• Define Key Terms
• State the REASON FOR WRITING
• State the PURPOSE OF THE ESSAY
• PREVIEW The Key Points

You should have 3 or 4 Body Paragraphs (or sections in larger works). Each Paragraph (or section) will deal with one key idea.

Headers

For longer works, use headers to separate key ideas. This helps to reinforce the key ideas.

Body Paragraphs

Each Paragraph should contain the following:

• Start with a "topic sentence" for the skimming readers.
• Use significant statements, key definitions and ideas early.

Remember to maintain structural parallelism within body paragraphs.

Use a transitional sentence at the end of sections to reinforce key ideas and tie the piece together.

Conclusion

Here you restate all of the matters you brought up in the intro and bring the matter to a close.

Overview of Outline:

• Intro
  • Context
  • Define Key Terms
  • State Reason for Writing
  • State Purpose
  • Preview
    Header, if necessary
• Body Paragraph I
  • Transition, if necessary
    • Header fornext point if necessary
• Body Paragraph II
  • Transition, if necessary
    • Header for Next Point, if necessary
• Body Paragraph III
• Conclusion

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