One main idea, backed up with details
Problem-solution
Mystery-solution
Compare and contrast
Cause and effect
Q&A
Step by step instructions or
descriptions
Examples / Episodes (usually in order
or sequence)
Chronological order (what happened
first, next, last)
List, in order of use
News style: inverted pyramid (from most
important facts to least important)
From simple to complex
Point vs. Counter-Point
Book report
Interview with a celebrity
Newspaper account of a traffic accident
Recipe
History of a small town
Description of the best car on the
market
Driving directions to a pizza
restaurant
Brochure on things to do in Hawaii
Description of how to treat a bee sting
Account of your first goal in soccer /
home run in baseball
The advantages and disadvantages of
owning a dog
Reasons to buy a brand of toothpaste
Article on contact lenses vs.
eyeglasses
