Modes, Purposes & Organizational Patterns of Writing

These flashcards summarize key concepts from the lecture on modes, purposes, and organizational patterns of writing, assisting students in their exam preparation.

What are the four modes of writing?

Descriptive, Narrative, Expository, and Persuasive.

What is the purpose of descriptive writing?

To describe a person, thing or scene.

What does narrative writing aim to do?

To tell a story or anecdote, fictional or true.

What is the primary goal of expository writing?

To give information and to explain.

What does persuasive writing seek to achieve?

To convince others or call them to an action.

What is an essential step that follows planning in the writing process?

Organizing and presenting information and ideas.

What is one way a writer can organize information?

By describing the subject.

Name one organizational method a writer might use to analyze events.

Cause and effect.

What type of writing presents information in a step-by-step sequence?

Process analysis.

How do good writings typically incorporate modes of writing?

They mix different modes, although one may dominate.

Which mode appeals most directly to the senses?

Description.

What is the difference between exposition and narration in writing?

Exposition tells; narration shows.

What should narrative writing focus on?

The 'story' or the conflict that defines the plot.

Why is audience important in persuasive writing?

You must understand your audience and know your purpose.

What are the three types of appeals in writing?

Ethical, emotional, and logical appeals.

What is a common pitfall in argument writing?

Overstating claims.

What is chronological order in organizational patterns?

The order in which events happened.

What does spatial order help to describe?

The location of objects in a physical space.

What is the purpose of compare and contrast organizational order?

To measure one subject against another.

What does cause and effect order show?

That one event occurred as a result of another.

How is a problem and solution organizational structure typically arranged?

It presents a problem followed by details that provide a solution.

What is the difference between classification and division?

Classification divides things into those that exhibit certain features; division separates similar things.

What does process analysis explain?

How something is done or how it works.

What are the two types of process analysis?

Directive and explanatory.

How does comparison and contrast writing function?

It examines similarities and differences of subjects.

What does defining something entail?

Telling what it is and what it is not.

What is a key aspect of writing definitions?

Using simple declarative sentences.

Why should writers define key terms used in their writing?

To clarify meaning for the reader.

What is a common approach to defining a concept?

Analyzing qualities or using analogies.

What is the focus of cause and effect essays?

They answer how and why about the effects of a chain of events.

What is a crucial qualification to remember in cause and effect writing?

One should never claim direct, simple cause and effect relationships without qualifying.

How can you strengthen a cause-and-effect argument?

By presenting specific evidence.