1. PATTERNS OF Transitions
Time and Space
ORGANIZATION Listing
Karen Hamilton Silvestri, Instructor
Instructional Specialist, The Learning Center at Robeson Community College

2. Transitions and Thought Patterns
 Authors use two techniques to clearly show how
ideas are related to one another:
 Transitions
 Thought Patterns

3. Transitions
 Transitions are words and phrases that signal
thought patterns by showing the logical
relationships within a sentence and between
sentences.
 Example: Fernando is actively involved in
several community organizations. Children
know Fernando likes them because he goes on
all the Boy Scout camping trips and he coaches
a youth soccer league.

4. Thought Patterns
 Thought patterns are established by using transitions
to show the logical relationship between ideas in a
paragraph or passage.

5. Relationships Within a Sentence
 Weightlifting builds and tones muscles; it also builds
bone density.

6. Relationships Between Sentences
 Robert and Dorothy had a fantastic time when
they vacationed at Valhalla Resort on
Marathon Key in Florida. They woke up before
dawn every day so that they would not miss
the beautiful sunrises….

7. Thought Patterns
 Thought patterns (or patterns of organization) are
signaled by using transitions to show the logical
relationship between ideas in a paragraph, passage,
or textbook chapter.
 Some common patterns are:
 Time Order
 Space Order
 Listing
 Classification

8. Transitions
 Make logical relationships between ideas clear.
 Serve as a bridge between ideas
 Can appear at the beginning, the middle, or the
end of a paragraph.
TRANSITION WORDS help you determine
what pattern is being used in a passage.

9. Types of Transitions
Two common types of relationships are
• Relationships that involve addition
• Relationships that involve time

10. TRANSITIONS
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. You can reduce the number of colds you catch. You should
wash your hands frequently during the cold season.
B. You can reduce the number of colds you catch. First of all,
you should wash your hands frequently during the cold
season.

11. TRANSITIONS
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. You can reduce the number of colds you catch. You should
wash your hands frequently during the cold season.
B. You can reduce the number of colds you catch. First of all,
you should wash your hands frequently during the cold
season.
Explanation
The words first of all in the second item make it clear that the writer plans
on explaining two or more ways to reduce the number of colds. This
makes the second item easier to understand.

12. Words That Show Addition
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. A virus cannot move or grow. It can reproduce only
inside a cell of another organism.
B. A virus cannot move or grow. Furthermore, it can
reproduce only inside a cell of another organism.

13. Words That Show Addition
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. A virus cannot move or grow. It can reproduce only
inside a cell of another organism.
B. A virus cannot move or grow. Furthermore, it can
reproduce only inside a cell of another organism.
Explanation
The word furthermore in the second item helps make the relationship
between the two sentences clear. The author is listing two different
qualities of a virus. Furthermore is an addition word.

14. Words That Show Addition
Addition words signal added ideas. These words tell you a
writer is presenting one or more ideas that continue along the
same line of thought as a previous idea.
Here are some common addition words:
Addition Words
one to begin with also further
first (of all) for one thing in addition furthermore
second(ly) other next last (of all)
third(ly) another moreover final(ly)

15. Words That Show Addition
In the examples below, notice how the addition words
introduce ideas that add to what has already been said.
• We communicate to exchange information. We also
communicate to develop relationships.
• Tiger sharks eat fish, squid, sea turtles, seals, and
smaller sharks. In addition, they have been known
to swallow car license plates and gasoline cans.

16. Words That Show Time
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. I fill in the answers to the test questions I’m sure I
know. I work on the rest of the exam.
B. First I fill in the answers to the test questions I’m sure I
know. Then I work on the rest of the exam.

17. Words That Show Time
Which item below is easier to read and understand?
A. I fill in the answers to the test questions I’m sure I
know. I work on the rest of the exam.
B. First I fill in the answers to the test questions I’m sure I
know. Then I work on the rest of the exam.
Explanation
The words First and then in the second item clarify the relationship between the
sentences. The author begins working on the rest of the exam after answering the
questions that he or she is sure about. First, then, and words like them are time
words.

18. Words That Show Time
Time words tell us when something happened in relation to when
something else happened. Here are some common time words:
Time Words
before immediately when until
previously next whenever often
first (of all) then while frequently
second(ly) following during eventually
third(ly) later as final(ly)
now after soon last (of all)
Note: Additional ways of showing time are dates (“In 1850…”;
“Throughout the 20th century…”; “By 2010…”) and other time
references (“Within a week…”; “by the end of the month…”;
“in two years…”).

19. Words That Show Time
In the examples below, notice how the time words
show us when something takes place.
• During the last ice age, there were huge icebergs
in the ocean as far south as Mexico City.
• I cross the street whenever I see someone coming whose
name I’ve forgotten.

20. TIME ORDER
Actions or events are listed in the order in which they
occur.
This is called CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF TIME ORDER:
 NARRATION
 PROCESS

21. The Time Order Pattern
See if you can arrange the following sentences in logical order. Which
sentence should come first? Second? Last? Use the time words as a guide.
A. The water then begins to expand and rise, to be replaced by
cold water from the upper regions of the pot.
B. In the convection process, water from the bottom of a heating
pot begins to move faster.
C. Eventually, after this heated water gets to the top, it cools off
and sinks, to be replaced by newly heated
water from the bottom.

22. The Time Order Pattern
Here is the logical order for the sentences on the last screen.
In the convection process, water from the bottom of a heating
pot begins to move faster. The water then begins to
expand and rise, to be replaced by cold water from the upper
regions of the pot. Eventually, after this heated water gets to the
top, it cools off and sinks, to be replaced by newly heated water
from the bottom.
• In time order, the details are presented in the order in which they
happen.
• Notice that supporting details are introduced by time words.

23. The Time Order Pattern
Two of the most common kinds of time order are:
1. NARRATION: a series of events or stages
2. PROCESS: a series of steps (directions how to do something)
Time Order: Events Time Order: Steps
Event 1 Step 1
Event 2 Step 2
Event 3 Step 3

24. The Time Order Pattern: Series of
Events or Stages
What four stages of sleep are needed to complete the outline of this paragraph?
The time words are shown in blue to help you.
The study of volunteers in sleep laboratories has led researchers to
believe that humans go through four different stages of sleep in a normal
night’s rest. After falling asleep, people enter stage 1 sleep, also called “light
sleep” or “REM” (rapid eye movement) sleep. During this stage the sleeper’s
brain waves are irregular, and the person is easily awakened. The next period
of sleep, stage 2 sleep, is marked by bursts of fast brain-wave activity called
“spindles.” Then, during stage 3 sleep, the spindles disappear, and brain
waves become long and slow. Last, the deepest level of sleep, during which
the sleeper is hardest to awaken, occurs during stage 4 sleep. Extremely slow
brain waves known as delta waves are present during this deep-sleep phase.
Main idea: Researchers believe that humans go through four different stages of sleep
in a normal night’s rest.
1.
2.
3.
4.

25. The Time Order Pattern: Series of
Events or Stages
Time words lead you to the major details the author has listed.
The study of volunteers in sleep laboratories has led researchers to
believe that humans go through four different stages of sleep in a normal
night’s rest. After falling asleep, people enter stage 1 sleep, also called “light
sleep” or “REM” (rapid eye movement) sleep. During this stage the sleeper’s
brain waves are irregular, and the person is easily awakened. The next period
of sleep, stage 2 sleep, is marked by bursts of fast brain-wave activity called
“spindles.” Then, during stage 3 sleep, the spindles disappear, and brain
waves become long and slow. Last, the deepest level of sleep, during which
the sleeper is hardest to awaken, occurs during stage 4 sleep. Extremely slow
brain waves known as delta waves are present during this deep-sleep phase.
Main idea: Researchers believe that humans go through four different stages of sleep
in a normal night’s rest.
1. Stage 1—light or REM sleep, irregular brain waves; easily awakened.
2. Stage 2—bursts of fast brain-wave activity called “spindles.”
3. Stage 3—spindles disappear; brain waves become long and short.
4. Stage 4—deepest level; very slow brain waves called delta waves;
more difficult to awaken

26. The Time Order Pattern: Series of
Steps
What steps are needed to complete the outline of this paragraph? The time words are
in blue to help you.
If you mention the word PROM to people, they are going to think of a
high-school rite of passage. In fact, PROM is also the name of a proven study
method. The first step in this system is to preview a reading assignment. Note
the title and read the first and last paragraphs; also look quickly at headings
and subheads and anything in boldface or italic. Next, read a selection
straight through while marking off important ideas such as definitions,
examples, and lists of items. The third step is to organize the material you’ve
read by taking study notes on it. Get all the important ideas down on paper in
outline form, relating one idea to another as much as possible. Last of all,
memorize the study notes that you will need to remember for tests. Do this by
writing key words in the margins of your study outline and turning those words
into questions. Not all learning involves memorization, but some of it does, so
don’t hesitate to commit to memory anything you might need for a test.
Main idea: PROM is a proven study method.
1.
2.
3.
4.

27. The Time Order Pattern: Series of
Steps
Time words lead you to the major details the author has listed.
If you mention the word PROM to people, they are going to think of a
high-school rite of passage. In fact, PROM is also the name of a proven study
method. The first step in this system is to preview a reading assignment. Note
the title and read the first and last paragraphs; also look quickly at headings
and subheads and anything in boldface or italic. Next, read a selection
straight through while marking off important ideas such as definitions,
examples, and lists of items. The third step is to organize the material you’ve
read by taking study notes on it. Get all the important ideas down on paper in
outline form, relating one idea to another as much as possible. Last of all,
memorize the study notes that you will need to remember for tests. Do this by
writing key words in the margins of your study outline and turning those words
into questions. Not all learning involves memorization, but some of it does, so
don’t hesitate to commit to memory anything you might need for a test.
Main idea: PROM is a proven study method.
1. Preview a reading assignment.
2. Read the selection straight through, marking off important ideas.
3. Organize the material you’ve read by taking study notes on it.
4. Memorize the study notes by turning key words into questions.

28. NARRATION
 NARRATION shows a chain of events and uses
transitions of time. It shows when things occurred
and in what order. (see page 283)

29. Transitions Used in the Time Order
Pattern for Narration
 After  Meanwhile
 Afterward  Next
 As  Now
 Before  Often
 Currently  Previously
 During  Second
 Eventually  Since
 Finally  Soon
 First  Then
 Last  Ultimately
 Later  Until
 While  When

30. EXAMPLE OF NARRATON
When Corbin decided to become a
teacher, he had no idea that he was also
deciding to become a career student. His first
notions of wanting only a bachelor’s degree
were quickly dispelled. During those early
years as a teacher, he found that the more
he learned the more excited he was about
teaching. Eventually, his passion for learning
earned him a master’s degree and a
doctorate degree.

31. PROCESS
 PROCESS shows the stages, steps, or directions to
be taken to achieve a result.
 Transition (signal) words include ones that show time.
(see page 285)

32. PROCESS
 Shows a series of steps in a specific order
 Has two primary purposes: (1) to show how to do
something, (2) to show how something occurred
PROCESS shows the
stages, steps, or
directions to be taken
to achieve a result.

33. Transitions Used in the Time Order Pattern for
Process (Steps, Stages, or Directions)
 After
 Meanwhile
 Afterward
 Next Transition
As

 Now (signal)
 Before
 Currently
 Often words
 Previously include ones
 During
 Second
 Eventually that show
 Since
 Finally
 Soon
time. (see
 First
 Then page 285)
 Last
 Ultimately
 Later
 Until
 While
 When

34. EXAMPLE OF PROCESS
 To ensure proper interdental cleaning, floss each day. First,
break off about 18 inches of floss and wind most of it
around one of your middle fingers. Second, wind the
remaining floss around the same finger of the opposite
hand. Third, hold the floss tightly between your thumbs and
forefingers. Next, guide the floss between your teeth using
a gentle rubbing motion; never snap the floss into the gums.
Then gently slide it into the space between the gum and
tooth.

35. Space Order Pattern
 The space order pattern allows authors to
describe a person, place, or thing based on its
location or the way it is arranged in space.
 The writer often uses descriptive details to help
readers create vivid mental pictures.

36. Transition Words in the Space Order
Pattern
 Farther  Nearby
 Above  Down
Across  Front  Outside
  Far away
Adjacent  Here  Right
  Below
Around  In  There

 Beneath
 At the  Inside  Under
 Beside
bottom  Left  Underneath
 At the side
 Beyond
 Middle  Within
 At the top  By
 Next to
 Back  Center
 At the side  Close to SPACE ORDER shows where. Transitions
words are ones that show where someone
 Backup
or something is in space. (see page 290)
 Behind

37. EXAMPLE OF SPACE ORDER
 From their heads to the tips of their
tails, humpback whales bear distinctive
markings. On top a humpback whale is dotted
with fleshy knobs called tubercles; a strand of
hair with many nerve endings grows out of
each tubercle.

38. Sources
 The Effective Reader (Updated Edition) by D.
J. Henry
 © 2004 Pearson Education
Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers