chronological order essays examples

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9.3 Organizing Your Writing

Learning objectives.

Understand how and why organizational techniques help writers and readers stay focused.
Assess how and when to use chronological order to organize an essay.
Recognize how and when to use order of importance to organize an essay.
Determine how and when to use spatial order to organize an essay.

The method of organization you choose for your essay is just as important as its content. Without a clear organizational pattern, your reader could become confused and lose interest. The way you structure your essay helps your readers draw connections between the body and the thesis, and the structure also keeps you focused as you plan and write the essay. Choosing your organizational pattern before you outline ensures that each body paragraph works to support and develop your thesis.

This section covers three ways to organize body paragraphs:

Chronological order
Order of importance
Spatial order

When you begin to draft your essay, your ideas may seem to flow from your mind in a seemingly random manner. Your readers, who bring to the table different backgrounds, viewpoints, and ideas, need you to clearly organize these ideas in order to help process and accept them.

A solid organizational pattern gives your ideas a path that you can follow as you develop your draft. Knowing how you will organize your paragraphs allows you to better express and analyze your thoughts. Planning the structure of your essay before you choose supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and targeted research.

Chronological Order

In Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , you learned that chronological arrangement has the following purposes:

To explain the history of an event or a topic
To tell a story or relate an experience
To explain how to do or to make something
To explain the steps in a process

For example, if you are writing an essay about the history of the airline industry, you would begin with its conception and detail the essential timeline events up until present day. You would follow the chain of events using words such as first , then , next , and so on.

Writing at Work

At some point in your career you may have to file a complaint with your human resources department. Using chronological order is a useful tool in describing the events that led up to your filing the grievance. You would logically lay out the events in the order that they occurred using the key transition words. The more logical your complaint, the more likely you will be well received and helped.

Choose an accomplishment you have achieved in your life. The important moment could be in sports, schooling, or extracurricular activities. On your own sheet of paper, list the steps you took to reach your goal. Try to be as specific as possible with the steps you took. Pay attention to using transition words to focus your writing.

Keep in mind that chronological order is most appropriate for the following purposes:

Writing essays containing heavy research
Writing essays with the aim of listing, explaining, or narrating
Writing essays that analyze literary works such as poems, plays, or books

When using chronological order, your introduction should indicate the information you will cover and in what order, and the introduction should also establish the relevance of the information. Your body paragraphs should then provide clear divisions or steps in chronology. You can divide your paragraphs by time (such as decades, wars, or other historical events) or by the same structure of the work you are examining (such as a line-by-line explication of a poem).

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that describes a process you are familiar with and can do well. Assume that your reader is unfamiliar with the procedure. Remember to use the chronological key words, such as first , second , then , and finally .

Order of Importance

Recall from Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” that order of importance is best used for the following purposes:

Persuading and convincing
Ranking items by their importance, benefit, or significance
Illustrating a situation, problem, or solution

Some key transitional words you should use with this method of organization are most importantly , almost as importantly , just as importantly , and finally .

During your career, you may be required to work on a team that devises a strategy for a specific goal of your company, such as increasing profits. When planning your strategy you should organize your steps in order of importance. This demonstrates the ability to prioritize and plan. Using the order of importance technique also shows that you can create a resolution with logical steps for accomplishing a common goal.

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that discusses a passion of yours. Your passion could be music, a particular sport, filmmaking, and so on. Your paragraph should be built upon the reasons why you feel so strongly. Briefly discuss your reasons in the order of least to greatest importance.

Spatial Order

As stated in Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” , spatial order is best used for the following purposes:

Helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it
Evoking a scene using the senses (sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound)
Writing a descriptive essay

Spatial order means that you explain or describe objects as they are arranged around you in your space, for example in a bedroom. As the writer, you create a picture for your reader, and their perspective is the viewpoint from which you describe what is around you.

The view must move in an orderly, logical progression, giving the reader clear directional signals to follow from place to place. The key to using this method is to choose a specific starting point and then guide the reader to follow your eye as it moves in an orderly trajectory from your starting point.

Pay attention to the following student’s description of her bedroom and how she guides the reader through the viewing process, foot by foot.

Attached to my bedroom wall is a small wooden rack dangling with red and turquoise necklaces that shimmer as you enter. Just to the right of the rack is my window, framed by billowy white curtains. The peace of such an image is a stark contrast to my desk, which sits to the right of the window, layered in textbooks, crumpled papers, coffee cups, and an overflowing ashtray. Turning my head to the right, I see a set of two bare windows that frame the trees outside the glass like a 3D painting. Below the windows is an oak chest from which blankets and scarves are protruding. Against the wall opposite the billowy curtains is an antique dresser, on top of which sits a jewelry box and a few picture frames. A tall mirror attached to the dresser takes up most of the wall, which is the color of lavender.

The paragraph incorporates two objectives you have learned in this chapter: using an implied topic sentence and applying spatial order. Often in a descriptive essay, the two work together.

The following are possible transition words to include when using spatial order:

Just to the left or just to the right
On the left or on the right
Across from
A little further down
To the south, to the east, and so on
A few yards away
Turning left or turning right

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph using spatial order that describes your commute to work, school, or another location you visit often.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

Key Takeaways

The way you organize your body paragraphs ensures you and your readers stay focused on and draw connections to, your thesis statement.
A strong organizational pattern allows you to articulate, analyze, and clarify your thoughts.
Planning the organizational structure for your essay before you begin to search for supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and directed research.
Chronological order is most commonly used in expository writing. It is useful for explaining the history of your subject, for telling a story, or for explaining a process.
Order of importance is most appropriate in a persuasion paper as well as for essays in which you rank things, people, or events by their significance.
Spatial order describes things as they are arranged in space and is best for helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it; it creates a dominant impression.

Literary Terms
Definition & Examples
When & How to Use Chronology

I. What is Chronology?

Chronology is the arrangement of events by time. In literature, most authors write their story as a sequence of events—when you use this method, arranging events in the order in which they occurred in time, it’s called putting them in “chronological order.” Sticking with a chronological timeline is the easiest way for audiences to follow what happens and is generally the best way to show cause and effect. But, some authors may be more risky with a story’s chronology, sharing events out of order—for example, they may start the story at the end and work backwards, jump back and forth in time, and so on!

Specifically, chronology is the science of ordering of events by time, is closely related to timekeeping itself, and is important across almost every discipline of study. In literature and writing, a chronology means a timeline of events or a history; for example, A Chronology of Candle-making would give a timeline of candle-making’s history from its first appearance up until today. You can find chronologies of just about everything! Its study dates back to ancient times and is obviously still incredibly important today!

II. Example of Chronology

The clearest and simplest way to show chronology is with a timeline. For instance, a chronology of your day would start when you wake up, and end when you go to bed. Here is an example:

8:30am: Woke up
8:45am: Showered, brushed teeth
9:15am: Ate breakfast
9:30am: Drove to work
11:00am: Meeting with boss
1:00pm: Had lunch at the deli
3:00pm: Grabbed a coffee with a colleague
6:00pm: Left work, drove to supermarket
6:20pm: Bought groceries for dinner
7:00pm: Cooked dinner
8:00pm: Finished dinner, washed the dishes
8:30pm: Had dessert on the couch while watching TV
11:00pm: Brushed teeth, got in bed to read
12:00pm: Asleep in bed!

As you can see, this timeline shares the events of the day in chronological order. It is easy to follow since it relays things exactly in the order that they happened.

III. Types of Chronology

Chronology is pretty straightforward because it relies completely on time. So, there aren’t any real “types” of chronology, but it can be shared in different ways and narrative styles .

a. Linear Narrative (Normal Chronology)

The linear (i.e. in a line) telling of a story as a sequence of events as they happened in time.

b. Reverse Chronology

The telling of a story from the end to the beginning, sharing events in the reverse order from which they occurred in time.

c. Nonlinear Narrative

The nonlinear (i.e. not in line) telling of a story as a series of separate events told out of chronological order

IV. Importance of Chronology

The importance of chronology across all aspects of life is immeasurable, and literature is no different! How else would we readers ever know how and when things happened, and how could we understand a story’s chain of cause and effect? When events are shared out of order and without a context for time, it is very difficult to see their significance, or to even understand what happened.

For instance, imagine you are telling a story about a nerdy, not very athletic boy who becomes the star player on his school’s baseball team. If you started your story showing him as a kid being bad at baseball, but then suddenly he is on a team hitting home runs, the audience wouldn’t understand how it happened. Instead, you should show the transition he makes over time, perhaps with a montage like this:

First, he might start practicing by playing fetch with his dog in his backyard and by bouncing the ball off his bedroom wall.
Then you could show him secretly spending his allowance to go to the batting cages.
You could show the seasons changing as he gets better and better, missing parties and hanging out with friends to practice baseball.
Then one day, as Spring approaches and tryouts arrives, he finally decides to go out for the team, and makes it.

By exhibiting how he improves and changes over time, you can show the audience just how the young player became so great. By portraying the player’s path from start to finish, you show cause and effect—in this case, you’d be supporting the idea of “practice makes perfect.” So, as you can see, without chronology, telling this story would be quite difficult!

I would love to see an example of this, or a little more elaboration on how difficult it is to understand an effect when you don’t know the cause. Perhaps cause and effect can be broken down a little further (in regards to storylines) – for example chronology shows us the reasons behind character motives, circumstances, or helps us understand a setting (historical, present, or futuristic) and the actions or events that are relevant. Also, perhaps we can see an example where the story line is out of order and therefore confusing (until the chronology is revealed that is)? It may have to be a 2-part example to show the confusing part and then the actual explanation.

V. Examples of Chronology in Popular Culture

In the family film UP, chronology helps us learn a lot about the protagonist Carl. The movie opens with a montage of his life with his true love Ellie. It begins when they are young and first get married, showing all of the trials and tribulations that keep them from going on the adventure they always dreamed of:

At the end of the montage, we are sad to learn that Ellie died before they ever got to go on their great adventure together. We now know that losing Ellie was the cause of his loneliness, and his grumpy demeanor is the effect. This chronological story of their time paints a beautiful picture for us, and really helps us understand who Carl is. If we didn’t get this timeline, it would be hard to see why Carl is the way he is, or to know why he wants to head to Paradise Falls with his house full of memories.

The film Memento is well known for its unique, complicated way of sharing the chronology of the main character Lenny’s life. Rather than start from the beginning, as most stories do, Memento “begins” at the end and works its way backwards through the events that led to his situation. But, Lenny suffers from short term memory loss, and his memory resets every few minutes. Here is the opening scene:

The film begins with the moments that follow a murder, shown in reverse, and will work backwards from here. Memento’s use of reverse chronology leaves the audience in a constant state of confusion, like Lenny himself. Even when we think we know what is going on in one scene, the scene that follows often tells us otherwise as it works backwards in time.

VI. Examples of Chronology in Literature

In the fiction series Diary of a Wimpy Kid , everything the audience knows is from what they read in the diary of middle schooler Greg. The diary starts at the beginning of the school year, and Greg makes an entry every day. Here are a few lines from a couple of different diary entries:

Monday I guess Mom was pretty proud of herself for making me write in that journal last year, because now she went out and bought me another one. But remember how I said if some jerk caught me carrying a book with “diary” on the cover they were gonna get the wrong idea? Well, that’s exactly what happened today. Tuesday When I got to school today, everybody was acting all strange around me, and at first I didn’t know WHAT was up. Then I remembered: I still had the Cheese Touch from last year.

Greg’s diary is a chronology of his life. It is a timeline of everything that happens to him day by day, and he tells us about past events, too. With each new book in the series you get to witness the details of his life as they happen, in chronological order, and learn more about his past through the memories he records.

Sometimes authors write things out in an actual timeline, similar to a diary. In author Mary Ruefle’s short piece of creative nonfiction called “My Search Amongst the Birds,” she records her thoughts over several months, creating a chronology of her experience feeding the birds at her home. Here’s a selection of the work:

Aug 19 It took the little birds—are they wrens?—about a week to find the seeds.
Aug 23 One day a pigeon joined them, he was larger and seemed “superior,” the wrens seemed “respectful,” as if they were deferring to him.

(later) I saw a bird in the bushes near Dairy Queen. It looked thin to me.

Aug 26 They come for breakfast and they come for dinner. WHERE DO THEY GO FOR LUNCH?
Aug 28 Bought a pair of opera glasses to facilitate my search among the birds.
Aug 29 I replace the little golden seeds, for I have run out of them, with black oiled sunflower seeds, which everyone knows are superior and preferred by all birds. I do this in the middle of the night so as to “surprise” the birds in the morning. But in the morning they don’t act “surprised” at all, they act as if nothing’s changed. But then again, they may be “acting.”

(later) They ARE acting—the wrens don’t like the new seed, they are ignoring it! Do they KNOW how much work it took to lug that bag up the stairs?

VII. Related terms

A flashback is when a story temporarily jumps backward to a previous moment in the past. It’s used to give the audience insight about characters or other relevant details in a story without having to disrupt the normal flow of events in chronological order.

Flash-forward

A flash-forward is just like a flashback, but going forward—the story temporarily jumps to a specific moment in the future. Like a flashback, it doesn’t disrupt the way the story is being told, but still lets writers give a peak at what will happen later.

VIII. Conclusion

It’s easy to see why chronology is such a major part of literature—just about everything we understand relies on time, and that includes storytelling and writing across all genres . In writing, establishing a chronology for your topic or story is a great starting point, and a crucial part of the big picture!

List of Terms

Alliteration
Amplification
Anachronism
Anthropomorphism
Antonomasia
APA Citation
Aposiopesis
Autobiography
Bildungsroman
Characterization
Circumlocution
Cliffhanger
Comic Relief
Connotation
Deus ex machina
Deuteragonist
Doppelganger
Double Entendre
Dramatic irony
Equivocation
Extended Metaphor
Figures of Speech
Foreshadowing
Intertextuality
Juxtaposition
Literary Device
Malapropism
Onomatopoeia
Parallelism
Pathetic Fallacy
Personification
Point of View
Polysyndeton
Protagonist
Red Herring
Rhetorical Device
Rhetorical Question
Science Fiction
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Synesthesia
Turning Point
Understatement
Urban Legend
Verisimilitude
Essay Guide
Cite This Website

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Chronological Order

Chronological arrangement has the following purposes:

To explain the history of an event or a topic
To tell a story or relate an experience
To explain how to do or to make something
To explain the steps in a process

Chronological order is mostly used in expository writing, which is a form of writing that narrates, describes, informs, or explains a process. When using chronological order, arrange the events in the order that they actually happened, or will happen if you are giving instructions. This method requires you to use words such as first, second, then, after that, later, and finally. These transition words guide you and your reader through the paper as you expand your thesis. For example, if you are writing an essay about the history of the airline industry, you would begin with its conception and detail the essential timeline events up until present day. You would begin with its conception and detail the essential timeline events up until present day. You would follow the chain of events using words such as first, then, next, and so on. Keep in mind that chronological order is most appropriate for the following purposes:

Writing essays containing heavy research
Writing essays with the aim of listing, explaining, or narrating
Writing essays that analyze literary works such as poems, plays, or books

When using chronological order, your introduction should indicate the information you will cover and should also establish the relevance of the information. Your body paragraphs should then provide clear divisions or steps in chronology. You can divide your paragraphs by time (such as decades, wars, or other historical events) or by the same structure of the work you are examining (such as a line-by-line explication of a poem.

Choose an accomplishment you have achieved in your life. The important moment could be in sports, schooling, or extracurricular activities. On your own sheet of paper, list the steps you 25 Return to Table of Contents took to reach your goal. Try to be as specific as possible with the steps you took. Pay attention to using transition words to focus your writing.

Order of Importance
Order of importance is best used for the following purposes:
Persuading and convincing
Ranking items by their importance, benefit, or significance
Illustrating a situation, problem, or solution

Most essays move from the least to the most important point, and the paragraphs are arranged in an effort to build the essay’s strength. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to begin with the most important supporting point, such as in an essay that contains a thesis that is highly debatable. When writing a persuasive essay, it is best to begin with the most important point because it immediately captivates your readers and compels them to continue reading. For example, if you were supporting your thesis that homework is detrimental to the education of high school students, you would want to present your most convincing argument first, and then move on to the less important points for your case. During your career, you may be required to work on a team that devises a strategy for a specific goal of your company, such as increasing profits. When planning your strategy you should organize your steps in order of importance. This demonstrates the ability to prioritize and plan. Using the order of importance technique also shows that you can create a resolution with logical steps for accomplishing a common goal.

Writing for College Introduction to College Writing with Grammar Skills Review by Cheryl McCormick; Sue Hank; and Ninna Roth is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Definition of Chronology

Chronology refers to the orderly arrangement of occurrences or incidents, particularly in a historical context . Its roots can be traced back to the Greek words “Kronos” and “Logia,” signifying the study of time. Over time, the Greek term “Kronos” evolved into the Latin term “chronologia,” which eventually became “chronology” in English during the 16th century or thereafter. This term functions as a noun and can also be used in the plural form, such as “chronologies.” It pertains to the measurement of time, encompassing historical events or the timeline of specific occurrences or an event.

Within the realm of literature, chronology plays a crucial role in novels, where characters experience incidents in sequential order throughout their lives. It serves as an essential component of narrative storytelling, offering a comprehensive timeline of events that characters undergo. Moreover, it can be applied to various other domains, such as the chronology of a virus, the chronology of pottery, or the chronology of the United States.

Regarding the events depicted in a narrative, they can unfold in a linear fashion, commonly known as a straightway. Alternatively, they may occur in medias res , where a particular event from a character ’s life is selected and subsequently explored, revealing the character’s past or present. Therefore, chronology holds significant importance in plot development. However, in the postmodern era, many writers have subverted this vital narrative element, intentionally disrupting the traditional order of events. However, in the postmodern world, most writers have turned this important element of the narrative topsy-turvy.

Examples from Literature

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

When the boy came back the old man was asleep in the chair and the sun was down. The boy took the old army blanket off the bed and spread it over the back of the chair and over the old man’s shoulders. They were strange shoulders, still powerful although very old, and the neck was still strong too and the creases did not show so much when the old man was asleep and his head fallen forward.

In this passage taken from Ernest Hemingway’s novel , The Old Man and the Sea, chronology is skillfully employed right from the opening line. Despite the seemingly straightforward introduction of the old man’s age, Hemingway subtly incorporates this narrative element throughout the novel, focusing on just a few days in the old man’s life. The initial mention of “the sun was down” immediately establishes the evening setting , indicating that the old man is preparing for sleep. Subsequently, the narrative unfolds, meticulously tracing the timeline of events from that evening onward. This apt use of chronology showcases Hemingway’s mastery in utilizing this literary technique to enhance the storytelling experience.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Mr. Jones, of the Manor Farm, had locked the hen-houses for the night , but was too drunk to remember to shut the popholes. With the ring of light from his lantern dancing from side to side, he lurched across the yard, kicked off his boots at the back door, drew himself a last glass of beer from the barrel in the scullery, and made his way up to bed, where Mrs. Jones was already snoring. As soon as the light in the bedroom went out there was a stirring and a fluttering all through the farm buildings. Word had gone round during the day that old Major, the prize Middle White boar, had had a strange dream on the previous night and wished to communicate it to the other animals.

In this example, from George Orwell’s novel, there is an intriguing example of chronology. The narrative depicts a significant shift in Manor Farm’s operations as all activities come to a halt. The contextual clues subtly suggest an evening setting, as indicated by the awakening lantern light. Furthermore, the mention of the extinguished bedroom light and the reference to the previous night further reinforce the passage’s temporal progression. This portrayal emphasizes that chronology in a narrative does not always adhere to a strictly linear structure. Instead, it can be skillfully woven into the story using implicit cues from the surrounding natural elements, enhancing the overall flow and enjoyment for readers.

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickins

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness , it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

In this excerpt from A Tale of Two Cities, the above passage subtly indicates the concept of chronology. While it may not overtly emphasize the chronological order of events, thoughtful readers can discern the indications of time and season within the text. The references to “times,” “age,” “ spring ,” and “winter” provide subtle hints that can be interconnected with the characters and their experiences. The readers can piece the temporal aspects of the narrative, enriching their understanding and interpretation of the story by discerning these contextual cues.

Preface to Aeneid by R. W. MacFarland

This narration occupies the second and the third nooks, which, therefore, in the order of time, are first and second, while which stands, first, is the third in the course of events. The others are in their natural order. But this arrangemnet of the first three books, has the advantage of making the hero relate the destruction of Troy.

This example shows the multifaceted role of chronology not only in writing but also in narrations, events, and stories. The author explicitly states that although the books are labeled as first and second, their order does not correspond to the sequence of events portrayed in Aeneid. This acknowledgment highlights the subtle nature of chronology, showcasing how it can be manipulated and rearranged to suit the artistic vision or thematic structure of a literary work. By challenging the linear progression of events, the author prompts readers to engage with the narrative in a unique and thought-provoking manner, further emphasizing the significance of chronology as a tool for storytelling.

Function of Chronology

The function of chronology in literature is instrumental in providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the unfolding events. The use of chronology enables readers to discern whether the events take place in the past, present, or future by establishing the temporal framework of a narrative. This context allows readers to engage with the story and its developments logically. Furthermore, chronology serves as a guidepost for comprehending the order in which events occur, offering a sense of structure and progression. The chronological sequence allows readers to follow the storyline more effectively, gaining insight into the causal relationships between events and appreciating the overall coherence of the narrative. Ultimately, the function of chronology is key to providing readers with a cohesive framework that promotes their immersion in the story and enhances their comprehension of the events as they unfold.

Deuteragonist
Equivocation
Science Fiction
Turning Point
Supporting Sentence
Urban Legend
Antonomasia
Comic Relief
Black Humor
Narrative Poem
Dramatic Monologue
Existentialism
In Medias Res
Short Story
Romanticism
Feminine Rhyme
Metaphysical
Auditory Imagery
Sensory Language
Implied Metaphor
Rhetorical Device
Sound Devices
Exact Rhyme
Examples of Symbolism in Poetry

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Paragraphs: Chronology

Transitions : after, afterward, at that moment, at last, at length, before, by that time, during, earlier, first, from then on, later, meanwhile, next, presently, since, second, soon afterward, the next day, then, when, while, within an hour

Example : The rehearsal dinner will be on Friday night. Afterward, we are hoping that many of the guests will help to clean the area for tomorrow's wedding.

Explanation : In these sentences, the transition "afterward" highlights a chronology of events (first the dinner, then the cleaning).

Transitions Video Playlist

Note that these videos were created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines.

Academic Paragraphs: Introduction to Paragraphs and the MEAL Plan (video transcript)
Academic Paragraphs: Types of Transitions Part 1: Transitions Between Paragraphs (video transcript)
Academic Paragraphs: Types of Transitions Part 2: Transitions Within Paragraphs (video transcript)
Academic Paragraphs: Appropriate Use of Explicit Transitions (video transcript)
Engaging Writing: Incorporating Transitions (video transcript)
Engaging Writing: Examples of Incorporating Transitions (video transcript)
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4.3 Organizing Your Writing

Learning objectives.

Understand how and why organizational techniques help writers and readers stay focused.
Assess how and when to use chronological order to organize an essay.
Recognize how and when to use order of importance to organize an essay.
Determine how and when to use spatial order to organize an essay.

This section covers three ways to organize body paragraphs:

Chronological order
Order of importance
Spatial order

Chronological Order

In Chapter 3: The Writing Process: Where Do I Begin? Section Overview , you learned that chronological arrangement has the following purposes:

To explain the history of an event or a topic
To tell a story or relate an experience
To explain how to do or to make something
To explain the steps in a process

Connecting the Pieces: Writing at Work

Keep in mind that chronological order is most appropriate for the following purposes:

Writing essays containing heavy research
Writing essays with the aim of listing, explaining, or narrating
Writing essays that analyze literary works such as poems, plays, or books

Order of Importance

Recall from Chapter 3: The Writing Process: Where Do I Begin? that order of importance is best used for the following purposes:

Persuading and convincing
Ranking items by their importance, benefit, or significance
Illustrating a situation, problem, or solution

Some key transitional words you should use with this method of organization are most importantly , almost as importantly , just as importantly , and finally .

Spatial Order

As stated in Chapter 3: The Writing Process: Where Do I Begin? , spatial order is best used for the following purposes:

Helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it
Evoking a scene using the senses (sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound)
Writing a descriptive essay

Pay attention to the following student’s description of her bedroom and how she guides the reader through the viewing process, foot by foot.

The paragraph incorporates two objectives you have learned in this chapter: using an implied topic sentence and applying spatial order. Often in a descriptive essay, the two work together.

The following are possible transition words to include when using spatial order:

Just to the left or just to the right
On the left or on the right
Across from
A little further down
To the south, to the east, and so on
A few yards away
Turning left or turning right

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph using spatial order that describes your commute to work, school, or another location you visit often.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

Key Takeaways

The way you organize your body paragraphs ensures you and your readers stay focused on and draw connections to, your thesis statement.
A strong organizational pattern allows you to articulate, analyze, and clarify your thoughts.
Planning the organizational structure for your essay before you begin to search for supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and directed research.
Chronological order is most commonly used in expository writing. It is useful for explaining the history of your subject, for telling a story, or for explaining a process.
Order of importance is most appropriate in a persuasion paper as well as for essays in which you rank things, people, or events by their significance.
Spatial order describes things as they are arranged in space and is best for helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it; it creates a dominant impression.

Putting the Pieces Together Copyright © 2020 by Andrew Stracuzzi and André Cormier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Chapter 9 Writing Essays: From Start to Finish

9.3 organizing your writing, learning objectives.

Understand how and why organizational techniques help writers and readers stay focused.
Assess how and when to use chronological order to organize an essay.
Recognize how and when to use order of importance to organize an essay.
Determine how and when to use spatial order to organize an essay.

This section covers three ways to organize body paragraphs:

Chronological order
Order of importance
Spatial order

Chronological Order

In Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?”, you learned that chronological arrangement has the following purposes:

To explain the history of an event or a topic
To tell a story or relate an experience
To explain how to do or to make something
To explain the steps in a process

Writing at Work

Keep in mind that chronological order is most appropriate for the following purposes:

Writing essays containing heavy research
Writing essays with the aim of listing, explaining, or narrating
Writing essays that analyze literary works such as poems, plays, or books

Order of Importance

Recall from Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?” that order of importance is best used for the following purposes:

Persuading and convincing
Ranking items by their importance, benefit, or significance
Illustrating a situation, problem, or solution

Some key transitional words you should use with this method of organization are most importantly , almost as importantly , just as importantly , and finally .

Spatial Order

As stated in Chapter 8 “The Writing Process: How Do I Begin?”, spatial order is best used for the following purposes:

Helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it
Evoking a scene using the senses (sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound)
Writing a descriptive essay

Pay attention to the following student’s description of her bedroom and how she guides the reader through the viewing process, foot by foot.

The paragraph incorporates two objectives you have learned in this chapter: using an implied topic sentence and applying spatial order. Often in a descriptive essay, the two work together.

The following are possible transition words to include when using spatial order:

Just to the left or just to the right
On the left or on the right
Across from
A little further down
To the south, to the east, and so on
A few yards away
Turning left or turning right

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

Key Takeaways

The way you organize your body paragraphs ensures you and your readers stay focused on and draw connections to, your thesis statement.
A strong organizational pattern allows you to articulate, analyze, and clarify your thoughts.
Planning the organizational structure for your essay before you begin to search for supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and directed research.
Chronological order is most commonly used in expository writing. It is useful for explaining the history of your subject, for telling a story, or for explaining a process.
Order of importance is most appropriate in a persuasion paper as well as for essays in which you rank things, people, or events by their significance.
Spatial order describes things as they are arranged in space and is best for helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it; it creates a dominant impression.
Successful Writing. Authored by : Anonymous. Provided by : Anonymous. Located at : http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/successful-writing/ . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Chronological Essay: What Is It? How to Write It? + FREE Example

A chronological essay is rarely used as a term even though it is incredibly widespread in writing practice. Learn all the secrets of writing a chronological essay with myeasypaper.com

Chronological Essay Definition: What Is It?

You all have definitely written a chronological essay at least once in your life. We are writing so with great certainty as this is one of the most widespread types of essay or the methods to write it. A chronological paper is the one where all the events are written in a linear order, starting from the very beginning and ending with the last event of the sequence. Basically, biographies are often written chronologically: you first read about the date and circumstances of someone’s birth, then — childhood, studying, adult life, and death. So, historical texts are most often written chronologically as it’s much easier to trace cause-effect relations between the connected events in this case.

However, the chronological essay is not only the instrument of historians. It is often the easiest way to describe any event or process: you just start from the very beginning and continue writing according to the way everything happened. Starting from the ending or the most intriguing part usually requires more skills and practice as it is used to raise the reader’s interest. That is why those students who only start learning the principles of academic writing usually refer to the regular chronological order.

Organizational Strategies for Using Chronological Order in Writing

Even though chronological order is the basic one, it can be difficult to use it correctly. The issue is that it requires strict chronological order, while in the regular process of communication we can skip some events, return to them later, or add irrelevant details as we speak. In the writing, we tend to do the same, so it’s better to prepare yourself and avoid this mistake. So, what can you do?

Create a plan. Write a brief outline that will include a strict order of events.
Proofread your plan. Make sure you have included all the necessary events.
Organize described events in chronological order.
Eliminate unnecessary events and details that can affect the perception of your text.
Write an essay according to your plan.
Add signal words that can smooth transitions between specific events or steps.
Dedicate a separate paragraph to each step or event.
Proofread it once again.

Topics for a Chronological Order Essay

Generally, the chronological sequence is used for three types of papers: historical papers (stories about events or biographies), fictional stories, and explaining processes or procedures. Therefore, we can divide possible topics into three categories.

Historical topics:

Battle of Gettysburg
The life of Abraham Lincoln
Civil War: Main events
The war in Ukraine: How it lasted during the first months of a horrible attack
The main milestones of human activity in space
World War II: Brief description of its history

Process/procedure essay:

How to write a compare and contrast essay
How to complete a winning annotated bibliography
How to prepare the best cake ever: Main steps
How to cook eggs properly: Different methods and levels of preparation
How to write a proper application letter
How children grow up: Major milestones
How we breathe: A basic explanation for students

Fictional Stories

Here we cannot name exact topics as fictional stories are always developed by their authors. However, you can also use chronological order when you retell the plot of the book, such as in 1984 or A Rose for Emily .

Chronological Sequence in an Essay: Example of Preparation

To make things clear, we have decided to prepare an example of a chronological order essay, using one of its most widespread forms — a process essay. You can use this example to make your own wonderful chronological essay. If you still need help with it, feel free to place the order with us — our experts will do their best to meet all your demands.

A Life of a Plastic Bottle: How Its Pieces Appear in Your Water

One sunny day, a bottle was produced. It was made out of plastic on a giant production somewhere in Wisconsin. The bottle was made for a purpose — it was created to be filled in with a soda drink. And that is what was done — and on the following day the bottle started its journey.

It was delivered in a huge truck to a sorting center. Out of it the bottle was put in a smaller van and distributed to a supermarket. It was standing on a shelf for a week until one of the shop workers decided to put it in a fridge. That’s where a boy with blue eyes and a red cap has found it. It was so hot on that July day that the boy decided to buy something refreshing. He took the first bottle that he saw — it appeared to be the bottle with a soda drink. The boy bought it, drank it, and left it on a bench.

The bottle was standing on the bench until a wind became stronger and blew it out on the ground. It blew the bottle on a huge road, where it was crumpled by the wheels of a school bus. It was lying under the sun for several weeks near the road. As the wind was blowing, sand started covering it, hiding from human eyes. No one was thinking about the bottle passing down this road.

However, the bottle continued its life under the ground. It was slowly decomposing, losing micro parts day by day. Some of these parts were so tiny that they looked the same as the sand that was covering the bottle. Some of the parts were moving down the ground, deeper and deeper until they reached a source of water. Combining with water, parts of the bottle continued their journey under the ground, moving slowly in the direction of a river. Reaching the river, these parts moved further until they found an ocean.

One cannot count the weeks and the months that the bottle parts spent in the ocean. However, one day they moved once again: a huge pump sucked it and started filtrating — again, under the ground. These parts were moving from one filter to another until the moment they were pushed from a tap into a glass. A man in a red T-shirt wanted to have a drink and after not finding anything in his fridge decided to sip some water. That’s when the micro parts of the bottle disappeared in the darkness of his organism.

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1.5: Methods of Organizing Your Writing

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Kathryn Crowther et al.
Georgia Perimeter College via GALILEO Open Learning Materials

The method of organization for essays and paragraphs is just as important as content. When you begin to draft an essay or paragraph, your ideas may seem to flow from your mind in a seemingly random manner; however, your readers, who bring to the table different backgrounds, viewpoints, and ideas, need you to clearly organize these ideas to help them draw connections between the body and the thesis. A solid organizational pattern not only helps readers to process and accept your ideas, but also gives your ideas a path that you can follow as you develop your essay (or paragraph). Knowing how you will organize your paragraphs allows you to better express and analyze your thoughts. In addition, planning the structure of your essay before you choose supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and targeted research. This section covers three ways to organize both essays and paragraphs: chronological order, order of importance, and spatial order.

Chronological Order

Chronological arrangement has the following purposes:

To explain the history of an event or a topic
To tell a story or relate an experience
To explain how to do or to make something
To explain the steps in a process

Chronological order is mostly used in expository writing, which is a form of writing that narrates, describes, informs, or explains a process. When using chronological order, arrange the events in the order that they actually happened, or will happen if you are giving instructions. This method requires you to use words such as first, second, then, after that, later, and finally . These transition words guide you and your reader through the paper as you expand your thesis. For example, if you are writing an essay about the history of the airline industry, you would begin with its conception and detail the essential timeline events up until present day. You would follow the chain of events using words such as first, then, next, and so on. Keep in mind that chronological order is most appropriate for the following purposes:

Writing essays containing heavy research
Writing essays with the aim of listing, explaining, or narrating
Writing essays that analyze literary works such as poems, plays, or books

Exercise 12

Exercise 13

Order of Importance

Order of importance is best used for the following purposes:

Persuading and convincing
Ranking items by their importance, benefit, or significance
Illustrating a situation, problem, or solution

For example, if you were supporting your thesis that homework is detrimental to the education of high school students, you would want to present your most convincing argument first, and then move on to the less important points for your case. During your career, you may be required to work on a team that devises a strategy for a specific goal of your company, such as increasing profits. When planning your strategy you should organize your steps in order of importance. This demonstrates the ability to prioritize and plan. Using the order of importance technique also shows that you can create a resolution with logical steps for accomplishing a common goal.

Exercise 14

Spatial Order

Spatial order is best used for the following purposes:

Helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it
Evoking a scene using the senses (sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound)
Writing a descriptive essay

Spatial order means that you explain or describe objects as they are arranged around you in your space, for example in a bedroom. As the writer, you create a picture for your readers, and their perspective is the viewpoint from which you describe what is around you. The view must move in an orderly, logical progression, giving the reader clear directional signals to follow from place to place. The key to using this method is to choose a specific starting point and then guide the reader to follow your eye as it moves in an orderly trajectory from your starting point. Pay attention to the following student’s description of her bedroom and how she guides the reader through the viewing process, foot by foot.

Attached to my back bedroom wall is a small wooden rack dangling with red and turquoise necklaces that shimmer as I enter. Just to the right of the rack, billowy white curtains frame a large window with a sill that ends just six inches from the floor. The peace of such an image is a stark contrast to my desk, sitting to the right of the window, layered in textbooks, crumpled papers, coffee cups, and an overflowing ashtray. Turning my head to the right, I see a set of two bare windows that frame the trees outside the glass like a three-dimensional painting. Below the windows is an oak chest from which blankets and scarves are protruding. Against the wall opposite the billowy curtains is an antique dresser, on top of which sits a jewelry box and a few picture frames. A tall mirror attached to the dresser takes up much of the lavender wall.

The paragraph incorporates two objectives covered in this chapter: using an implied topic sentence and applying spatial order. Often in a descriptive essay, the two objectives work together. The following are possible transition words to include when using spatial order:

Just to the left or just to the right
On the left or on the right
Across from
A little further down
To the south, to the east, and so on
A few yards away
Turning left or turning right

Exercise 15

On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph using spatial order that describes your commute to work, school, or another location you visit often.

Collaboration : Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

key takeaways

The way you organize your body paragraphs ensures you and your readers stay focused on and draw connections to your thesis statement.
A strong organizational pattern allows you to articulate, analyze, and clarify your thoughts.
Planning the organizational structure for your essay before you begin to search for supporting evidence helps you conduct more effective and directed research.
Chronological order is most commonly used in expository writing. It is useful for explaining the history of your subject, for telling a story, or for explaining a process.
Order of importance is most appropriate in a persuasion paper as well as for essays in which you rank things, people, or events by their significance.
Spatial order describes things as they are arranged in space and is best for helping readers visualize something as you want them to see it; it creates a dominant impression.

Organizational Strategies for Using Chronological Order in Writing

ThoughtCo / Ran Zheng

An Introduction to Punctuation
Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
B.A., English, State University of New York

The word chronological comes from two Greek words. "Chronos" means time. "Logikos" means reason or order. That is what chronological order is all about. It arranges information according to time.

In composition and speech , chronological order is a method of organization in which actions or events are presented as they occur or occurred in time and can also be called time or linear order.

Narratives and process analysis essays commonly rely on chronological order. Morton Miller points out in his 1980 book "Reading and Writing Short Essay" that the "natural order of events — beginning, middle, and end — is narration 's simplest and most-used arrangement."

From " Camping Out " by Ernest Hemingway to "The Story of an Eyewitness: The San Francisco Earthquake" by Jack London , famous authors and student essayists alike have utilized the chronological order form to convey the impact a series of events had on the author's life. Also common in informative speeches because of the simplicity of telling a story as it happened, chronological order differs from other organizational styles in that it is fixed according to the timeframe of events which happened.

How Tos and Who-Done-Its

Because time order is essential in things like "How-To" presentations and murder mysteries alike, chronological order is the preferred method for informative speakers. Take for example wanting to explain to a friend how to bake a cake. You could choose another method to explain the process, but putting the steps in order of timing is a much easier method for your audience to follow — and successfully bake the cake.

Similarly, a detective or officer presenting a murder or theft case to his or her team of police would want to retrace the known events of the crime as they occurred rather than bouncing around the case — though the detective may decide to go in reverse chronological order from the act of the crime itself to the earlier detail of the crime scene, allowing the team of sleuths to piece together what data is missing (i.e., what happened between midnight and 12:05 am) as well as determine the likely cause-effect play-by-play that led to the crime in the first place.

In both of these cases, the speaker presents the earliest known important event or occurrence to happen and proceed to detail the following events, in order. The cake maker will, therefore, start with "decide which cake you want to make" followed by "determine and purchase ingredients" while the policeman will start with the crime itself, or the later escape of the criminal, and work backward in time to discover and determine the criminal's motive.

The Narrative Form

The simplest way to tell a story is from the beginning, proceeding in time-sequential order throughout the character's life. Though this may not always be the way a narrative speaker or writer tells the story, it is the most common organizational process used in the narrative form .

As a result, most stories about mankind can be told as simply as "a person was born, he did X, Y, and Z, and then he died" wherein the X, Y, and Z are the sequential events that impacted and affected that person's story after he was born but before he passed away. As X.J. Kennedy, Dorothy M. Kennedy, and Jane E. Aaron put it in the seventh edition of "The Bedford Reader," a chronological order is "an excellent sequence to follow unless you can see some special advantage in violating it."

Interestingly, memoirs and personal narrative essays often deviate from chronological order because this type of writing hinges more upon overarching themes throughout the subject's life rather than the full breadth of his or her experience. That is to say that autobiographical work, largely due to its dependence on memory and recall, relies not on the sequence of events in one's life but the important events that affected one's personality and mentality, searching for cause and effect relationships to define what made them human.

A memoir writer might, therefore, start with a scene where he or she is confronting a fear of heights at age 20, but then flash back to several instances in his or her childhood like falling off a tall horse at five or losing a loved one in a plane crash to infer to the reader the cause of this fear.

When to Use Chronological Order

Good writing relies on precision and compelling storytelling to entertain and inform audiences, so it's important for writers to determine the best method of organization when attempting to explain an event or project.

John McPhee's article " Structure " describes a tension between chronology and theme that can help hopeful writers determine the best organizational method for their piece. He posits that chronology typically wins out because "themes prove inconvenient" due to the sparsity of occurrences that relate thematically. A writer is much better served by the chronological order of events, including flashbacks and flash-forwards, in terms of structure and control.

Still, McPhee also states that "there's nothing wrong with a chronological structure," and certainly nothing to suggest it's a lesser form than thematic structure. In fact, even as long ago as Babylonian times, "most pieces were written that way, and nearly all pieces are written that way now."

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AP English Exam: 101 Key Terms
6 Traits of Writing
Understanding Organization in Composition and Speech
How to Write a Personal Narrative
The Difference Between an Article and an Essay
How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech
Point of View in Grammar and Composition
What Is Composition? Definition, Types, and Examples
Singing the Old Songs: Traditional and Literary Ballads
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Expository Essay Genre With Suggested Prompts
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How to Write a Chronological Essay

Chronological essays are typically used to write about an event or person from history. Writing in chronological order ensures the reader is introduced to the topic right from the beginning. Writing in chronological order can be difficult, but by arranging your facts and using the essay's question as a guide, you can create flowing, informative essays.

Make a plan. Collect all the facts and information you know about the subject of your essay. Include anything that may be relevant.

Order your ideas. Usually, a chronological essay will start right at the beginning. If you are writing about a person, start at the person's birth. An essay on the Titanic, for example, would begin at the start of its construction on March 31, 1909. Then go through the information, sorting by date, until the end. The end will usually be a death or the end of a project. For the Titanic, it would be when the ship sank on April 14, 1912 at 2:20 a.m.

Separate your ideas into possible paragraphs. For example, dedicate a paragraph to the idea behind the Titanic and who first drew up the plans. What did they aim to create when they built the Titanic? The second paragraph may be about the construction of the Titanic, the third about the planned voyage, etc. The last paragraph(s) should sum up the information you have given. For example, you may write about how the Titanic changed the boat-making industry and how people reacted to the news of the ship's sinking.

Research extra information. Consider anything that could be added to each paragraph to make it more informative. Chronological essays are intended to be factual, so the more relevant facts you can add, the more interesting your essay will be.

Write your essay. Ensure you stick to the plan and proofread the finished copy. Make sure your facts are fully referenced and that the essay flows smoothly.

About the Author

Elle Blake has been writing since 2006. Her articles regularly appear in "All Women Stalk," "Parenting," "Education Plus" and "Glamour." She has a Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in early childhood studies and primary education and a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in animal welfare and behavior, both from the University of Warwick. She is currently studying towards NCTJ Certificate in Magazine and Journalism.

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How to structure an essay: Templates and tips

How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates

Published on September 18, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction , a body , and a conclusion . But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body.

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The basics of essay structure, chronological structure, compare-and-contrast structure, problems-methods-solutions structure, signposting to clarify your structure, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay structure.

There are two main things to keep in mind when working on your essay structure: making sure to include the right information in each part, and deciding how you’ll organize the information within the body.

Parts of an essay

The three parts that make up all essays are described in the table below.

Order of information

You’ll also have to consider how to present information within the body. There are a few general principles that can guide you here.

The first is that your argument should move from the simplest claim to the most complex . The body of a good argumentative essay often begins with simple and widely accepted claims, and then moves towards more complex and contentious ones.

For example, you might begin by describing a generally accepted philosophical concept, and then apply it to a new topic. The grounding in the general concept will allow the reader to understand your unique application of it.

The second principle is that background information should appear towards the beginning of your essay . General background is presented in the introduction. If you have additional background to present, this information will usually come at the start of the body.

The third principle is that everything in your essay should be relevant to the thesis . Ask yourself whether each piece of information advances your argument or provides necessary background. And make sure that the text clearly expresses each piece of information’s relevance.

The sections below present several organizational templates for essays: the chronological approach, the compare-and-contrast approach, and the problems-methods-solutions approach.

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The chronological approach (sometimes called the cause-and-effect approach) is probably the simplest way to structure an essay. It just means discussing events in the order in which they occurred, discussing how they are related (i.e. the cause and effect involved) as you go.

A chronological approach can be useful when your essay is about a series of events. Don’t rule out other approaches, though—even when the chronological approach is the obvious one, you might be able to bring out more with a different structure.

Explore the tabs below to see a general template and a specific example outline from an essay on the invention of the printing press.

Thesis statement
Discussion of event/period
Consequences
Importance of topic
Strong closing statement
Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages
Background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press
Thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation
High levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe
Literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites
Consequence: this discouraged political and religious change
Invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg
Implications of the new technology for book production
Consequence: Rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible
Trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention
Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation
Consequence: The large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics
Summarize the history described
Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period

Essays with two or more main subjects are often structured around comparing and contrasting . For example, a literary analysis essay might compare two different texts, and an argumentative essay might compare the strengths of different arguments.

There are two main ways of structuring a compare-and-contrast essay: the alternating method, and the block method.

Alternating

In the alternating method, each paragraph compares your subjects in terms of a specific point of comparison. These points of comparison are therefore what defines each paragraph.

The tabs below show a general template for this structure, and a specific example for an essay comparing and contrasting distance learning with traditional classroom learning.

Synthesis of arguments
Topical relevance of distance learning in lockdown
Increasing prevalence of distance learning over the last decade
Thesis statement: While distance learning has certain advantages, it introduces multiple new accessibility issues that must be addressed for it to be as effective as classroom learning
Classroom learning: Ease of identifying difficulties and privately discussing them
Distance learning: Difficulty of noticing and unobtrusively helping
Classroom learning: Difficulties accessing the classroom (disability, distance travelled from home)
Distance learning: Difficulties with online work (lack of tech literacy, unreliable connection, distractions)
Classroom learning: Tends to encourage personal engagement among students and with teacher, more relaxed social environment
Distance learning: Greater ability to reach out to teacher privately
Sum up, emphasize that distance learning introduces more difficulties than it solves
Stress the importance of addressing issues with distance learning as it becomes increasingly common
Distance learning may prove to be the future, but it still has a long way to go

In the block method, each subject is covered all in one go, potentially across multiple paragraphs. For example, you might write two paragraphs about your first subject and then two about your second subject, making comparisons back to the first.

The tabs again show a general template, followed by another essay on distance learning, this time with the body structured in blocks.

Point 1 (compare)
Point 2 (compare)
Point 3 (compare)
Point 4 (compare)
Advantages: Flexibility, accessibility
Disadvantages: Discomfort, challenges for those with poor internet or tech literacy
Advantages: Potential for teacher to discuss issues with a student in a separate private call
Disadvantages: Difficulty of identifying struggling students and aiding them unobtrusively, lack of personal interaction among students
Advantages: More accessible to those with low tech literacy, equality of all sharing one learning environment
Disadvantages: Students must live close enough to attend, commutes may vary, classrooms not always accessible for disabled students
Advantages: Ease of picking up on signs a student is struggling, more personal interaction among students
Disadvantages: May be harder for students to approach teacher privately in person to raise issues

An essay that concerns a specific problem (practical or theoretical) may be structured according to the problems-methods-solutions approach.

This is just what it sounds like: You define the problem, characterize a method or theory that may solve it, and finally analyze the problem, using this method or theory to arrive at a solution. If the problem is theoretical, the solution might be the analysis you present in the essay itself; otherwise, you might just present a proposed solution.

The tabs below show a template for this structure and an example outline for an essay about the problem of fake news.

Introduce the problem
Provide background
Describe your approach to solving it
Define the problem precisely
Describe why it’s important
Indicate previous approaches to the problem
Present your new approach, and why it’s better
Apply the new method or theory to the problem
Indicate the solution you arrive at by doing so
Assess (potential or actual) effectiveness of solution
Describe the implications
Problem: The growth of “fake news” online
Prevalence of polarized/conspiracy-focused news sources online
Thesis statement: Rather than attempting to stamp out online fake news through social media moderation, an effective approach to combating it must work with educational institutions to improve media literacy
Definition: Deliberate disinformation designed to spread virally online
Popularization of the term, growth of the phenomenon
Previous approaches: Labeling and moderation on social media platforms
Critique: This approach feeds conspiracies; the real solution is to improve media literacy so users can better identify fake news
Greater emphasis should be placed on media literacy education in schools
This allows people to assess news sources independently, rather than just being told which ones to trust
This is a long-term solution but could be highly effective
It would require significant organization and investment, but would equip people to judge news sources more effectively
Rather than trying to contain the spread of fake news, we must teach the next generation not to fall for it

Signposting means guiding the reader through your essay with language that describes or hints at the structure of what follows. It can help you clarify your structure for yourself as well as helping your reader follow your ideas.

The essay overview

In longer essays whose body is split into multiple named sections, the introduction often ends with an overview of the rest of the essay. This gives a brief description of the main idea or argument of each section.

The overview allows the reader to immediately understand what will be covered in the essay and in what order. Though it describes what comes later in the text, it is generally written in the present tense . The following example is from a literary analysis essay on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein .

Transitions

Transition words and phrases are used throughout all good essays to link together different ideas. They help guide the reader through your text, and an essay that uses them effectively will be much easier to follow.

Various different relationships can be expressed by transition words, as shown in this example.

Because Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany. Although it was an outcome the Allies had hoped to avoid, they were prepared to back up their ultimatum in order to combat the existential threat posed by the Third Reich.

Transition sentences may be included to transition between different paragraphs or sections of an essay. A good transition sentence moves the reader on to the next topic while indicating how it relates to the previous one.

… Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.

However , considering the issue of personal interaction among students presents a different picture.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

An essay isn’t just a loose collection of facts and ideas. Instead, it should be centered on an overarching argument (summarized in your thesis statement ) that every part of the essay relates to.

The way you structure your essay is crucial to presenting your argument coherently. A well-structured essay helps your reader follow the logic of your ideas and understand your overall point.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved April 8, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/essay-structure/

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Collaboration, information literacy, writing process, chronological order.

Chronological Order refers to the practice of organizing information by time, either from the past to the future or the future to the past.

Narratives (either chronological narratives or process narratives) are organized in chronological order.

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Chronological Order In Essay Writing

Table of contents

1 What Is a Chronological Order Essay
2 Chronological Order vs. Sequential Order
3 Importance of Correct Historical Occurrences
4 How to Write a Chronological Paragraph?
5.1 Pick an Idea and Make a Plan
5.2 Use a Variety of Sentence Structures to Keep Your Writing Interesting
5.3 Provide Sufficient Details
5.4 Use Transitional Words and Phrases, Such As “First,” “Next,” and “Then,” to Indicate the Chronological Flow
5.5 Use Headings and Subheadings to Organize Your Essay
5.6 Use Introductory and Concluding Sentences to Signal the Main Points of Each Paragraph
5.7 Use Appropriate Citations and References (Especially for the Historical Essay)
5.8 Maintain a Consistent Timeline and Avoid Jumping Back and Forth in Time
6 Conclusion

Writing a chronological essay is a pure pleasure. This type of university assignment is clear and structured, so knowing the basic requirements, you can easily cope with the task. Essays in chronological order require their author to have deep knowledge of the chosen subject. Not to stray from the course of the story, you need to be a real expert in this niche.

In this article, you will learn what a chronological-order essay is and how to write it. Also, you will find precious tips on making the writing process quick and enjoyable. So here are the milestones of our chronological essay guide:

What a chronological order essay is;
The difference between chronological and sequential order;
Guidelines for chronological paragraph writing;
Tips for writing an outstanding chronological essay.

Together we will consider each important point and dispel your doubts about the chronological essays. Without further ado, let’s get it started!

What Is a Chronological Order Essay

A chronological essay is an expository writing that describes historical events or a biography of a specific person. Surprisingly, not only students of the Faculty of History are faced with this type of essay. Whenever you have been given the task of writing about outstanding personalities, talking about your experiences, or presenting a life story or historical event, you will be faced with the need to use chronological order in writing.

This type of narrating writing essay requires you to present information in a logical and structured way. Expository essay writers must state all the events in the order in which they occurred. Moreover, you should dip the reader into the context of the event, explaining to him the background and the outcomes.

Chronological Order vs. Sequential Order

You may think that sequence and chronological order are identical concepts. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one who thinks so. These concepts are strongly related but not identical. Sequential order is based on the order of steps performed and how events occur relative to each other. But what is a chronological order of events?

The chronological timeline tells about the sequence of actions in time-space. Sequential order is well suited for writing step-by-step instructions and listing events. At the same time, the chronological order is excellent for narrating historical events and writing biographies.

Importance of Correct Historical Occurrences

Preliminary research is a solid foundation for your chronological essay. Take information only from reliable and trusted sources respected in science. Avoid unverified facts and loud statements. Make an effort to pre-study to avoid building an essay on false grounds. It may seem that a detailed study will take too much time, but on the contrary, it will save you the effort of rewriting the time order essay.

Check several sources for proof of the integrity of the information you found. Whenever you don’t have enough time for research, consider buying an essay rather than copying random facts from the web. After all, no matter how well you present the events in chronological order, if it does not correspond to reality, then your essay will lose all scientific value.

How to Write a Chronological Paragraph?

You can be assigned to write a chronological paragraph in your paper. This is also a type of chronological writing that you should do right if you need to get a good grade for your essay.

This paragraph should describe the sequence of events that occurred to a specific object or person. These events should be sorted chronologically, from the earliest to the latest. You should present the sequence and make logical transitions between events. This will help readers understand the connections between events and the outcomes of specific things.

You can write about anything interesting, there are almost no topics you should avoid in the essay if they meet the requirements. However, it is better when the subject is interesting to you.

When structuring these paragraphs, students not only present the facts but also explain them as causes and effects. If you don’t see connections between things, you should look closer and do more research.

To write a good chronological paragraph, you need to include crucial elements. Thus, it will be easier to structure the course of events. This guide may not only be used for chronological essays, it’s a rather versatile piece of advice on how to compose a personal statement . Among the integral components are:

Topic sentence
Important supporting points
Chronological progression
Coherence of the narrative
Summarizing sentence

Topic sentences exist to briefly remind the reader of the main topic of your paper. Give enough detail to put the reader in the context of the chronological sequence essay. Do not jump in time, state all events clearly and unambiguously to maintain logical transitions. End your paragraph by summarizing what has been said so far.

Example of chronological order:

The Second World War was the largest bloody war, in which more than 30 countries participated and left an indelible mark on the history of mankind. (Strong topic sentence.) The prerequisites ( the supporting details ) for this historic event are considered Germany’s course for revenge in the First World War. Events began in September 1939 with the German attack on Poland. ( Chronological progression). The most important event of the Second World War is thought to be the Japanese attack on the United States of America in Pearl Harbor. After six years of fierce fighting, the Nazis were defeated by the Allies, and the war ended with the Japanese surrender on 2nd September 1945. ( Summarizing sentence)

Tips on Writing a Chronological Essay

You start the writing process by choosing a topic for it. Find an interesting topic that meets your assignment’s requirements, or ask your teacher to give you a topic.

If you are stuck with creating this paper, you can use an essay editing service to prepare it. Its writers have experience working on chronological essays, they can help you with narrative and cause-and-effect paper .

Then you should research and find as much information on your topic as possible. Collect this information in a well-organized format so you can reference any of it if needed, and don’t forget to keep the dates of all events.

Pick an Idea and Make a Plan

If you need to create informative essays about a specific historical event, you should start from the beginning of this event or even with earlier events that lead to it. If a particular group organizes an event, tell the motives of this group, how they got to this idea, and how they started working on it. Then write about each step from the beginning to the conclusion of this event and arrange the events in chronological order.

Use a Variety of Sentence Structures to Keep Your Writing Interesting

If you only use simple sentences or start each sentence with the word «then», your writing will be boring to read. PapersOwl specialists advise studying several chronological ordering examples to understand the linking words and the structuring strategy. Use different stylistic devices as well as different types of complex sentences.

Provide Sufficient Details

Provide your reader with the full context of the story in time-order paragraphs. To understand the course of action of the chronological essay, the reader must be aware of the background and cause of historical events. At the same time, try not to overload your compositions with unnecessary details.

Use Transitional Words and Phrases, Such As “First,” “Next,” and “Then,” to Indicate the Chronological Flow

Sequencers help keep the story logical, they’re keywords for chronological order that make the essay flow smoothly. Use transitional words to direct the reader through the flow of your story. Don’t forget to use different expressions to avoid tautology.

Use Headings and Subheadings to Organize Your Essay

Provide clear divisions so that the paper becomes much more readable. Large arrays of text always repel the reader, so use a proper chronological structure. Also, headings and subheadings will help you further structure your essay.

Use Introductory and Concluding Sentences to Signal the Main Points of Each Paragraph

A thesis statement that summarizes the main message of your chronological essays should be restructured and repeated several times during writing. This technique is used by writers to express the main idea of the essay in the introduction and throughout the text. The thesis proposal should be catchy and memorable.

Use Appropriate Citations and References (Especially for the Historical Essay)

There could be many sources of false information on the Internet. Students should check information and put only proven citations into the chronological expositions. We know it could be challenging to deal with citation norms, so we’re always ready to write your paper for you . Be sure to check the accuracy of the quotes and the veracity of the facts you refer to.

Maintain a Consistent Timeline and Avoid Jumping Back and Forth in Time

When you have the list of essential timeline events, you can arrange the events in the order in which they happened. It helps you to use the correct order in an essay from the earliest events in your story to the latest. You can use simple editors or a spreadsheet for sorting lists.

When you write a chronological essay, nothing may cause you problems if you are well-oriented to the chosen subject. You should carefully choose topics for writing, do not forget about the preliminary study, and double-check the sources you use.

After reading our guide in detail, you will undoubtedly be able to write a decent chronological essay. However, even if you find it difficult to find inspiration for writing, this is not a problem either, as you can resort to exposition editing services. Remember that an experienced team of professionals is always ready to help you with heavy research writing essays.

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Common Core State Standards Related to Text Structure

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.5 – Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text (e.g., a section, chapter, scene, or stanza) relate to each other and the whole.

ELA Standards: Informational Texts

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.5 – Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.5 – Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.5 – Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.7.5 – Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.8.5 – Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.5 – Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging.

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Well, an essay will most likely use many different patterns. In one paragraph you may compare and contrast two things. In another you may propose a solution to a problem. In yet another, you may describe a cause and effect or multiple causes and / or effects. The structure of a text will vary from paragraph to paragraph. A single paragraph may even use multiple structures.

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5 Examples Of Chronological Order

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There are a lot of different ways to organize information. But in many situations, it's best to sort events based on when they occurred, and to present them in order from oldest to most recent. This is known as chronological order. We've compiled a list of five examples of chronological order that showcase how useful and versatile a tool it can be. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker .

5 Examples of Chronological Order
History Lessons: Recounting events in the order they occurred
Literary Works: Time moves forward with each chapter
Instructional Guides: Leading you through a process step by step
Film and Television: A plot with a beginning, middle, and end
Planning a Project: Working with a timeline one day at a time
Chronological Order in Everyday Life

Time is something all people have to keep in mind as they go about their lives. We use clocks and calendars to keep track of it. Sometimes people might plan ahead months, or even years, for a vacation or a special event. But more often than not, they're focused on what they have to do in the short term. As a person plans out their day or week, they tend to keep track of things in chronological order, from morning to night and Monday to Sunday. This gives them a simple framework that's useful for figuring out which priorities demand immediate attention and which can be put off until later.

The History of Timekeeping

3 Examples of Non-Chronological Order

While chronological order is a common and useful way to organize information, there are some cases where people, especially writers, choose to use a different method.

Chronological order is used everywhere from scholarly works to cookbooks to popular culture. Since time is always moving forward, it makes sense to keep it in mind when laying out instructions or creating a story . Structuring things with a beginning, a middle, and an end (in that order) makes information easier for most people to absorb, whether that information is a history lesson or the plot of a sitcom.

Chronological order is a way of arranging actions, events or things according to the time they occurred. It is demonstrated by showing what happened first, what went on next, what came about in the succeeding occurrences, and until what took place last. This manner of presentation is also called time or linear order. Here are five examples of this method.

This technique is mainly crucial in history and social studies. Events are presented from how something began until how it ended. Biographies of key people are often arranged from childhood to one's passing. Let us say that you are a teacher informing your students about George Washington. You can commence by talking about his younger years, then his life as a surveyor, followed by his military career, his involvement in the American Revolution and the Constitutional Convention, his presidency, his retirement, and finally, his death.

This manner of presenting information will make it easier for your pupils to understand more about the first president of the United States.

Linear order is evident in literature. For instance, when the Bible is studied as a literary work, many of its passages applied chronology, especially when pertaining to filiation of biblical characters. One case can be found in the last chapter of the Book of Ruth, which mentions King David's family tree.

It reads: "These are the descendants of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron was the father of Ram, Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, Nahshon was the father of Salma, Salma was the father of Boaz, Boaz was the father of Obed, Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse became the father of David." The manner of narration started from the ancestor down to the posterity.

Sequential order is also essential in how-to videos, recipes, DIY projects and other articles that need step-by-step guide.

Let us say you want to show someone how to cook pancakes. You can present it this way: "First, prepare all the ingredients such as all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, milk, egg, and butter. Second, strain all the dry components in a large bowl. Then, pour in the rest of the fixings. Mix all together until smooth. After that, heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium-high temperature. Scoop one-fourth cup of batter onto the griddle. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Giving detailed instructions chronologically makes it easier for a person to follow the procedure and produce a desirable outcome.

Television shows and movies also make use of time order. In the animated movie Toy Story 2, the tale of how Buzz Lightyear rescued Sheriff Woody was arranged in this sequence: from Woody's abduction, to his first encounter with Jessie, Bullseye and Stinky Pete, followed by Buzz's struggle to search for him, his reunion with his friends, subsequently unveiling the Prospector's plan to bring the whole Roundup gang to Tokyo, their attempt to save Jessie at the airport, and finally, returning to Andy's home together.

Television shows and movies also make use of time order.

In the duration of the film, the writer employed a flashback to reveal Jessie's story. But sticking to a linear order helped in maintaining structure and control of the plot without losing viewers' interest.

In project management, a chronological arrangement is necessary to aid team members in knowing which tasks should be done in a given time frame. It also helps them recognize what milestones need to be reached within the schedule.

Let us say that a publishing company needs to produce ten thousand copies of a novel in a span of one year. The process will begin with the author, who will be writing the whole story in the first four months. This will be submitted to the editor, who will review the contents of the draft. It will then be sent back to the writer for revisions, before the editor checks it again for the last time. These steps should be done in the next couple of months.

It will then be sent back to the writer for revisions, before the editor checks it again for the last time.

Once completed, it will be forwarded to the production team, who will publish the book before the year ends. Each step needs to abide by the deadline given in the plan. Failure to comply with their timetable will have damaging consequences on the publication flow.

Transitional words and phrases are often used when showcasing chronological order. These are necessary to clearly identify the sequence of events. These expressions include: at first, next, afterwards, and previously. Most time signals can also serve as sequence devices, like: early in the morning, thirty-four years ago, in 1986, over the next ten years, from July to December, and before the Renaissance occurred.

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Time transition words to give sequential information in time order

When describing a sequence of events, time transition words will help you order things chronologically. Without these time order words it can be difficult for your reader or listener to logically follow what you’re saying. They also help make your English more interesting!

Transition words , also known as discourse markers, are expressions we use in everyday speech and writing, as well as in more formal contexts like essays, articles, papers and presentations.

Whatever the situation, these sequencing transition words are essential for talking about the order in which things happened (or will happen).

Time transition words for order and sequence

We’re going to cover more than 100 time order transition words here! They are grouped logically according to which part of a sequence or what point in time they describe. We have included example sentences to show how they can be used, too.

Once you have found what you need here, you might enjoy some idioms about time as well.

Transition words to begin a sequence

It makes sense to begin with some transition words for the first event in a sequence. Some of these can also be used to commence an argument, discussion, or story.

To begin with
First of all
In the beginning
Let’s begin with

“ First of all , I’d like to address the matter of the parking permits.” “ Let’s begin with a look at our quarterly sales report.” “ Initially they wanted to buy a brand new car, but then they decided to purchase second-hand.” “ Once there was a princess who lived in a castle.”

Another time transition word which sounds like it should belong in this list is ‘in the first place’. This phrase actually means ‘before’, and is generally used to talk about something that should have happened earlier, but didn’t.

“We should have listened to her in the first place !” “Why didn’t you tell me this in the first place ?”

Continuing a sequence of events

After you have introduced the first point in a sequence or argument, you can continue chronologically with one of these transition words:

After (this/that)
Subsequently
Following (this/that)
Second, third, fourth, etc.
Secondly, thirdly, fourthly, etc.

“They were happy playing in the garden until it began raining.” “ After this meeting, let’s continue the discussion over lunch.” “I need to pop to the shops this morning. Afterwards , I’ll tidy the house.”

A note on numerical transition words

Although numerical transition words (first, second, third, fourth, etc.) can, in theory, be continued indefinitely, in reality we rarely go beyond ‘third’ when speaking or writing.

If you list more than three points out loud when speaking, it might make it hard for your listener to follow along. And in writing, it would be more common to use a numbered bullet list for 4+ items, rather than writing a sequence of events or points using ordinal numbers.

The question often arises as to whether you should use ‘first, second, third’ or ‘firstly, secondly, thirdly’. Some style guides recommend using ‘first’ to begin a list, regardless of how you continue. If you are writing in a formal context then you should check whether there is a particular rule for you to follow.

In general, however, either format is acceptable as long as you are consistent. For example, you shouldn’t combine ‘first, secondly, third’.

Time order words to end a sequence

When you reach the last point on a list, the last event in a sequence, or the end of a presentation, you can use one of these to show you are concluding:

Last of all
In conclusion

These should only be used to end a list or sequence containing more than two points. It’s not strictly necessary to end with one of these transition words; you could end with ‘then’ or ‘after’, for example. However, these ending words will help make it clear that you have reached your final point.

“ In the end , we decided to go on vacation to Costa Rica.” “ Last of all , I’d like to toast the happy couple.” “ To wrap up , let’s break out into small groups and share what we’ve learned today.”

Check out some more transition words for concluding here.

Examples of sequential transition words

Here are some examples of these start, middle and end transition words for chronological order, in situations where you may often need them.

To outline a presentation, speech or report

“ Firstly , we’ll look at the results of the research conducted, then we’ll examine the impact this is likely to have on the community. Finally , I will present a list of suggested actions. At the end there will be a chance for you to ask questions.”

To go through a list of numbered points

“ First , we’re going to visit the castle. Second , we’ll stop at a monastery. Third , we’ll have lunch at a local restaurant, and last of all we’ll spend a couple of hours at the beach.”

To give an account of something that’s happened

“I arrived in the office as usual, and first of all I switched on my computer. After that , I went to the kitchen to make myself a coffee. Next I checked the mail, and when I returned to my office I saw that the safe was open and all the money was gone.”

Do you think that’s all there is to know about time transition words? We’re only just getting started! Next, let’s look at some sequencing transition words to talk about different points in time.

Time order words: past, present, future

In the past (ending before now).

The following time transition words can be used to talk about something that began in the past and finished before the current time, or which ended/will end before the next thing in the series.

In the past

“ In the past he was living homeless, but now he has made a good life for himself.” “ Before rolling out the dough, be sure to dust the worktop with flour.” “ Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked in a bank.”

You may also want to use some idioms to talk about the past .

What about something that began in the past but is still applicable at the present time, or as the next thing in the series begins? Try one of these:

Until now (past: until then)
Up to this point (past: up to that point)
Up to the present time

“ So far I’m enjoying my job, but I have only been here for 2 weeks.” “At age 36 he decided to travel the world. Until then , he had been working in a factory.”

Present time

You might want to emphasize that you are referring to the current moment in time using one of these time words:

At the moment
At this time
At this point
At this point in time
At the present time

“ At this point in time I’ve decided to focus on my family rather than looking for work.” “She said she isn’t hungry at the moment .”

Using any of these suggests that the situation may change soon and the current state is only temporary.

See some idioms about the present time , or learn some phrases to describe change .

In the future

Here are some phrases you can use to talk about something starting at the current time and extending into the future:

From now on (past: from then on)
From this point forward (past: from that point forward)
From today (past: from that day)
Going forward

“I had a bit of a health scare last month. From now on I’m going to exercise every day.” “ From that day forward , he decided to dedicate his life to helping others.” “ In future , we should be more careful about the clients we take on.”

And yes, there are idioms about the future too!

Concurrent events

What if you need to talk about two things happening at the same time? The following time order transition words show that one thing takes place at the same time as another:

Concurrently
At the same time
In the meantime

“He fell asleep during the movie.” “Please could you investigate the drop in traffic to our website? In the meantime , I’ll speak to our Sales team.” “I don’t know how you can work while you’re listening to that music!”

How soon will it happen?

Next, we have some transition words and phrases, most of which are adverbial, to add a sense of timing to an action. Will it happen very soon or not for a while?

These are listed more or less in order from the soonest to the furthest away. However, many of them have a similar meaning so there is not a strict distinction between every one.

Straightaway
Immediately
This instant (past: that instant)
Without delay
Shortly (a confusing adverb that doesn’t relate to distance)
After a while
By the time
In due time
In due course
Sooner or later
At long last

“I’ll take care of that without delay .” “They took a stroll through the woods and after a while came across a mysterious shack.” “ At long last we found the campsite, but it was already dark.”

See also: Confusing adverbs and A while vs awhile

Showing surprise at the timing of an occurrence

All of a sudden
All at once
Out of the blue
No sooner … than …

“ No sooner had he passed his driving test than he wrecked his car.” “I had a phone call from an old school friend out of the blue .”

Time transition words to describe frequency

Finally, you might want to say how often something occurs. Again, these are listed roughly in order from most to least frequent.

All the time
Occasionally
Now and again
Now and then
From time to time
Once in a while
Hardly ever
Not anymore

“I like to get my hair cut regularly .” “I often eat out but I hardly ever cook a meal from scratch.” “She visits her grandparents from time to time .” “I don’t go out after 10pm anymore .”

You can learn about the difference between sometimes and sometime here, if you’re unsure. We also have an article about the difference between anymore and any more .

Note that ‘all the time’ is usually not taken literally to mean ‘constantly’. Instead, it means ‘very often’.

“I go past that shop all the time but I have never been inside.” “My mum phones me all the time , it’s so annoying!”

And that’s all we have to say about time transition words! If you’d like to discover some more transition words to use in written or spoken English, check out these other articles:

Transition words for addition Transition words for cause and effect Transition words to compare and contrast Transition words for similarities Transition words for giving examples

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20 Examples of Chronological Order

The chronological order It is the form of organization that obeys the logical succession of seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years or centuries, as appropriate. This order can be forward (from past to present) or reverse (from present to past).

The word chronological comes from the union of the Greek words chronos (χρόνος) which means “time” and logos (λóγος) which means “word” or “thought”. Therefore, the chronological is what is thought according to time and obeys the passing of time.

Examples of chronological order

Classification of periodicals in a library it is carried out according to the month and year of publication, going from the oldest to the most modern in strict chronological order.
The ordering of journalistic material in a newspaper library or in the archives of major newspapers, it follows the chronological order of the day, month and year of publication of each archived printed copy.
Medical histories In hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices, it registers in chronological order the medical events of the patient (illnesses, treatments, surgical interventions, specialized consultations), to have details of the evolution of their health over time.
Diary entries , a correspondence, a historical document and many fictional texts obey a real or intended chronological sense, or often subvert it to force the reader to recompose it and thus restore the temporal order of the events narrated.
Bank transaction records (withdrawals, deposits, payments, purchases, transfers) are recorded according to the strict chronological order in which they were made.
The events narrated in a biography They are usually recomposed and arranged according to the passage of time, since the idea is to convey in a story the events of the biographer’s real life.
The content of agendas, calendars and planners They follow the chronological order of the year, as they serve to structure and organize upcoming activities as the days go by.
The entries of a Curriculum vitae They are organized in reverse chronological order: going from the most recent job or educational descriptions to the oldest, to allow the potential employer to get an idea of the life and career path of the applicant.
Biological Evolutionary Trees They are representations of the chronological evolution of life, which graph or explain evolution according to its various stages orchestrated in time and classified into different periods.
The journalistic reports they reconstruct a series of events or specific events based on their chronological linearity, that is, respecting the temporal order in which they occurred. Sometimes this order can be reversed, when trying to narrate the antecedents of a certain event.
The educational structure It is governed by chronological order, since it is attached to the growth of children and young people and accompanies their natural development. The succession of the “degrees” or “levels” is due to the temporal succession of the years, but also to the acquisition of a certain set of knowledge, which is why a student can “repeat” or “fall behind” with respect to their cohort.
The clocks , especially the needle ones, represent a cyclical ordering of time. The succession of signs inside (Roman numerals, Arabic numerals or other symbols) is governed by chronological order.
Facebook posts and other social networks are ordered according to criteria of relevance and affective selection, but then they are ordered in reverse chronological order: going from the most recently published content to the oldest.
Editions of a book They are numbered according to their production, since they belong to a finite and counted print run, and this numbering also obeys a chronological criterion: it accounts for the temporal sequence in which the copies were printed and manufactured. And in turn, each edition is distinguished from the others chronologically: according to the year in which they were made.
Correspondence compilations They are arranged chronologically so that the reader can recompose the exchange of letters without leaving room for confusion, going from the oldest letter to the most recent.
The exhibitions of works of art They can be ordered according to variable curatorial criteria, but often, when looking to give an overview of a specific author or period, they are ordered according to their year of production or appearance.
Telephone service bills They are usually broken down in chronological order, so that the user can know how long each call lasted and knows in what order they were made.
The content of emails It is generally arranged chronologically, to be able to “stay up to date”, that is, to see the most recent first and the oldest last. In the same way, notice boards and other digital correspondence and communication services operate, such as chats.
The national monuments they often contain information arranged chronologically, such as birth and death dates, dates of battles, events of national and political interest, always ordered from the oldest to the most recent date. The same is true of tombstones and obituaries.
The artistic anthologies , whether of poetic texts, of musical themes or of any other nature, they often respond to a chronological criterion that tells the reader of the different periods in which the artistic life of the author can be ordered or even the periods of production of a movement artistic (for example: romanticism, impressionism, rock n ‘roll, socialist realism, etc.)

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CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER in a Sentence Examples: 21 Ways to Use Chronological Order

Understanding the concept of chronological order is essential for organizing events or information in a sequence based on their time of occurrence. In simple terms, it involves arranging elements in the order in which they happened, starting from the earliest to the most recent.

By following chronological order, you can effectively track developments, understand the progression of events, and create a clear timeline. This method provides a structured approach to presenting information, making it easier for others to follow a story, process, or any series of events with a logical flow.

Table of Contents

7 Examples Of Chronological Order Used In a Sentence For Kids

Balloons flew in the air. Chronological order
The cake was cut by the birthday girl. Chronological order
Presents were unwrapped by friends. Chronological order
Games were played at the party. Chronological order
Guests sang a birthday song. Chronological order
The party ended with everyone saying goodbye. Chronological order
The sun set in the sky. Chronological order

14 Sentences with Chronological Order Examples

Chronological order is essential when writing research papers to ensure a logical flow of information.
When preparing for exams, it’s important to start studying early and organize your notes in chronological order .
Keeping a chronological order of events in history class helps students better understand the sequence of important dates.
In literature classes, analyzing the plot of a story in chronological order can aid in understanding the character development.
Creating a study schedule with assignments listed in chronological order can help students stay on track with their coursework.
When writing essays, presenting arguments in chronological order can make your points more coherent and persuasive.
During group projects, dividing tasks and setting deadlines in chronological order can improve productivity and efficiency.
Working on a thesis project requires organizing research findings in chronological order to support your arguments effectively.
In computer programming courses, learning to write code in chronological order is crucial for debugging and maintaining programs.
When preparing for a presentation, arranging slides in chronological order can help you deliver information in a clear and structured manner.
In science labs, conducting experiments and recording results in chronological order is important for accurate data analysis.
Studying historical events in chronological order helps students connect the dots and understand the context of each event.
Following a recipe book with instructions listed in chronological order can help students cook delicious meals with ease.
For internship applications, listing experiences in chronological order on your resume can showcase your growth and skills progression.

How To Use Chronological Order in Sentences?

Chronological Order is a way to arrange events or information in the sequence in which they occurred. It is important for maintaining clarity and organization in your writing. To use Chronological Order in a sentence, follow these simple steps:

Identify the key events : Start by pinpointing the main events or pieces of information you want to present in your sentence. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the order in which they occurred.

Start with the earliest event : Begin your sentence with the event that happened first in the sequence. This will help establish the timeline for your reader.

Use transitional words : To signal the chronological progression of events, use transitional words such as “first,” “next,” “then,” “afterward,” or “finally” to link the events together.

Be clear and concise : Make sure your sentence is easy to follow and that each event flows logically into the next. Avoid unnecessary details that may confuse the reader.

Check for accuracy : Double-check the order of events to ensure that you haven’t mixed up any details. Accuracy is key when using Chronological Order .

By following these steps, you can effectively use Chronological Order in your sentences to convey information in a clear and organized manner. Practice writing sentences in chronological order to improve your skills and become more proficient in structuring your ideas.

In writing, organizing information in chronological order is a common and effective way to present events in the order they occurred. By following a timeline or sequence, readers can easily follow the progression of events and grasp the context of the narrative. Using transitional words like “first,” “next,” “then,” and “finally” helps to signal the sequence of events, ensuring clarity and coherence in writing.

Maintaining a clear chronological order in sentences helps readers to understand the progression of events without confusion or disorientation. Whether recounting a historical event, detailing a process, or narrating a story, arranging information in chronological order provides a structured and logical framework for conveying information effectively. By utilizing this simple yet powerful organizational tool, writers can enhance the readability and comprehension of their writing for a variety of contexts.

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9.3 Organizing Your Writing
Exercise 3. On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that discusses a passion of yours. Your passion could be music, a particular sport, filmmaking, and so on. Your paragraph should be built upon the reasons why you feel so strongly. Briefly discuss your reasons in the order of least to greatest importance.
Chronology: Definitions and Examples
Chronology is the arrangement of events by time. In literature, most authors write their story as a sequence of events—when you use this method, arranging events in the order in which they occurred in time, it's called putting them in "chronological order.". Sticking with a chronological timeline is the easiest way for audiences to ...
Chronological Order
Chronological Order. When information in a passage is organized by the time in which each event occurred, it is organized chronologically. Nonfiction passages that are organized chronologically often contains dates. Fiction passages or narratives are more subtle and are organized chronologically but usually have no dates.
Chronological Order
Chronological order is mostly used in expository writing, which is a form of writing that narrates, describes, informs, or explains a process. When using chronological order, arrange the events in the order that they actually happened, or will happen if you are giving instructions. ... For example, if you are writing an essay about the history ...
Chronology
Chronology refers to the orderly arrangement of occurrences or incidents, particularly in a historical context. Its roots can be traced back to the Greek words "Kronos" and "Logia," signifying the study of time. Over time, the Greek term "Kronos" evolved into the Latin term "chronologia," which eventually became "chronology ...
Chronological Order Definition & Examples
Chronological Order Writing Assignment. ... Chronological Order Example. Example: In 1937, Zora Neale Hurston traveled to Haiti and wrote Their Eyes Were Watching God in seven weeks; the book was ...
Chronology
Note that these videos were created while APA 6 was the style guide edition in use. There may be some examples of writing that have not been updated to APA 7 guidelines. Academic Paragraphs: Introduction to Paragraphs and the MEAL Plan (video transcript)
4.3 Organizing Your Writing
Exercise 3. On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph that discusses a passion of yours. Your passion could be music, a particular sport, filmmaking, and so on. Your paragraph should be built upon the reasons why you feel so strongly. Briefly discuss your reasons in the order of least to greatest importance.
9.3 Organizing Your Writing
Chronological order is mostly used in expository writing, which is a form of writing that narrates, describes, informs, or explains a process. When using chronological order, arrange the events in the order that they actually happened, or will happen if you are giving instructions. ... For example, if you are writing an essay about the history ...
Chronological Essay: What Is It? How to Write It? + FREE Example
However, you can also use chronological order when you retell the plot of the book, such as in 1984 or A Rose for Emily. Chronological Sequence in an Essay: Example of Preparation . To make things clear, we have decided to prepare an example of a chronological order essay, using one of its most widespread forms — a process essay.
1.5: Methods of Organizing Your Writing
Chronological order is mostly used in expository writing, which is a form of writing that narrates, describes, informs, or explains a process. When using chronological order, arrange the events in the order that they actually happened, or will happen if you are giving instructions. ... For example, if you are writing an essay about the history ...
Chronological Order in Essay Writing
A chronological order essay is frequently utilized in a story paper. When you recount a story, you start all along and afterwards tell pretty much every one of the headliners, paving the way to its closure. Try not to bounce from one thing then onto the next but move in successive orders. This methodology is likewise utilized in authentic ...
Organizational Strategies and Chronological Order
In composition and speech, chronological order is a method of organization in which actions or events are presented as they occur or occurred in time and can also be called time or linear order. Narratives and process analysis essays commonly rely on chronological order. Morton Miller points out in his 1980 book "Reading and Writing Short Essay ...
How to structure an article: The chronological report
Let's start with the obvious. The chronological report is both 'chronological' — in that you must present your information in the order of time — and a 'report' —i.e. it is a way of providing non-fictionalised, factual information to a reader. Often, this way of writing will be used to explain a series of events.
How to Write a Chronological Essay
Chronological essays are typically used to write about an event or person from history. Writing in chronological order ensures the reader is introduced to the topic right from the beginning. Writing in chronological order can be difficult, but by arranging your facts and using the essay's question as a guide, you ...
How to Structure an Essay
The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body. This article provides useful templates and tips to help you outline your essay, make decisions about your structure, and ...
Chronological Order
Chronological Order. Chronological Order refers to the practice of organizing information by time, either from the past to the future or the future to the past. Narratives (either chronological narratives or process narratives) are organized in chronological order.
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Patterns of Organization
Though requirements vary from state to state, in many states, students are required to accurately identify the text structure in specific passages. We will cover seven common types of patterns of organizations or text structures: Chronological. Compare and Contrast. Order of Importance. Sequence.
5 Examples Of Chronological Order
5 Examples of Chronological Order. History Lessons: Recounting events in the order they occurred. Literary Works: Time moves forward with each chapter. Instructional Guides: Leading you through a process step by step. Film and Television: A plot with a beginning, middle, and end. Planning a Project: Working with a timeline one day at a time.
102 Time transition words for order and sequencing
Here are some examples of these start, middle and end transition words for chronological order, in situations where you may often need them. To outline a presentation, speech or report " Firstly , we'll look at the results of the research conducted, then we'll examine the impact this is likely to have on the community.
20 Examples of Chronological Order
20 Examples of Chronological Order. The chronological order It is the form of organization that obeys the logical succession of seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years or centuries, as appropriate. This order can be forward (from past to present) or reverse (from present to past). The word chronological comes from the union of the Greek ...
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER in a Sentence Examples: 21 Ways to Use
14 Sentences with Chronological Order Examples. Chronological order is essential when writing research papers to ensure a logical flow of information. When preparing for exams, it's important to start studying early and organize your notes in chronological order. Keeping a chronological order of events in history class helps students better ...

9.3 Organizing Your Writing

Chronological Order

Writing at Work

Order of Importance

Spatial Order

Key Takeaways

I. What is Chronology?

II. Example of Chronology

III. Types of Chronology

a. Linear Narrative (Normal Chronology)

b. Reverse Chronology

c. Nonlinear Narrative

IV. Importance of Chronology

V. Examples of Chronology in Popular Culture

VI. Examples of Chronology in Literature

VII. Related terms

VIII. Conclusion

List of Terms

Chronological Order

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Definition of Chronology

Examples from Literature

Function of Chronology

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Chronological Order

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Chapter 9 Writing Essays: From Start to Finish

Chronological Order

Writing at Work

Order of Importance

Spatial Order

Key Takeaways

Chronological Essay: What Is It? How to Write It? + FREE Example

Chronological Essay Definition: What Is It?

Organizational Strategies for Using Chronological Order in Writing

Topics for a Chronological Order Essay

Historical topics:

Process/procedure essay:

Fictional Stories

Chronological Sequence in an Essay: Example of Preparation

A Life of a Plastic Bottle: How Its Pieces Appear in Your Water

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1.5: Methods of Organizing Your Writing

Chronological Order

Exercise 12

Exercise 13

Order of Importance

Exercise 14

Spatial Order

Exercise 15

key takeaways

Organizational Strategies for Using Chronological Order in Writing

How Tos and Who-Done-Its

The Narrative Form

When to Use Chronological Order

How to Write a Chronological Essay

About the Author

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