The Elements of Writing Proficiency
Organize your argument in a clear and appropriate sequence to support your thesis, hypothesis or central idea.
Organization techniques:
Application: Apply a definition, key term, or concept from one text to another as a critical tool to analyze and evaluate a problem, issue or concept. Application is a critical tool that works in two ways: it moves you to read the articles closely because you are following a particular detail with deep focus. For example, if one of the articles defines "traditional values," and then makes a claim about the importance of "traditional values" in society, you can use this as a starting point to read the other articles in the set with this concept as a measure. What do the other articles assume or argue about "traditional values"? Do they address it explicitly or implicitly? Do they agree with each others' definition? Second, if you apply the concept of "traditional values" to the other readings, can it become an organizational tool that you can use to structure your own analysis and position?
Identify key terms and key assumptions in order to distinguish one author's point of view from another's. What does one author assume about the issue that other authors find to be problematic? To continue our example, does one author assume that "tradition" is a positive force, while the others assume that it is a negative force? If there is a conceptual conflict, what reasons ground the authors' assumptions or values?
Establish a sequence to identify important categories that arise in the reading set. If you apply a concept, establish a sequence, or identify key categories or assumptions this will help you to organize your observations, make evaluations, and analyze the evidence that is presented in the reading set. In other words, your role as a writer is to identify connections like these that run through the reading set. Then, use that connection to organize your position in support of your thesis, hypothesis, or central idea. You should develop the connection throughout your essay.