Writing

Paragraph Logic and Organization

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Paragraph Logic and Organization
The sentences in a paragraph should be arranged so that a reader can easily follow the development of the writer's ideas.
Sentences should not be randomly ordered in a paragraph. They should be arranged in a clear and logical order. Here are several ways in which sentences can be organized:
1. Chronological order
2. Sequential order
3. Order of importance
Paragraph Logic and Organization
Click on the paragraph in which the sentences are arranged in a logical order.
Sample Question
The sentence about them returning home from the lake should be placed last. Logic tells us that they had to drive to the lake before returning home with the fish. Try again.
In this paragraph, the sentences are arranged in chronological or time order.
The sentences in this paragraph should be arranged in chronological or time order.
Paragraph Logic and Organization
There are several ways to arrange ideas and sentences into an organized paragraph:
1. Chronological Order or Time Order
The order of the sentences matches the order in which the events or actions occurred.

2. Sequential Order or Steps in a Process
The order of the sentences gives the sequence of steps for doing something or creating something.

3. Order of Importance
The sentences are ordered according to importance progressing from least to most important or from most to least important.
Paragraph Logic and Organization
Click on the sentences. Use the arrow keys to logically arrange the paragraph. Then click Check.
Mr. Jones is a professional tour guide, so he has had many opportunities to travel to foreign countries.
In December of 1987, he went to Australia and Singapore.
In August of 1987, he traveled to Sweden, Holland, and Norway.
In May of 1986, he led a tour to Bangkok, Thailand.
Sample Question
The sentences in this paragraph should be arranged in chronological or time order.
Part of your answer is correct. This is shown in blue. Try again.
The topic sentence is the first sentence in the paragraph. All of the other sentences are arranged in chronological order using the dates of Mr. Jones's travel.
Click on the Show button to see the correct order.
Paragraph Logic and Organization
This lesson has ten questions on ordering sentences in a paragraph.
Paragraph Logic and Organization
Click on the sentences. Use the arrow keys to logically arrange the paragraph. Then click Go On.
If a person is frostbitten, it is most important to get him or her inside immediately and to seek medical help.
After the person is covered, do not use direct heat or rub the frostbitten area.
The second most important thing is to shelter the person from wind and cold by covering the frostbitten area with extra clothing or blankets.
The last thing to remember is to either keep the frostbitten area elevated or immerse it in warm (not hot) water.
Question 1 of 10
The sentences in this paragraph should be arranged in order of importance, from most important to least important.
Part of your answer is correct. This is shown in blue. Try again.
The sentences in this paragraph are arranged in order of importance from most important to least important. "Most," "second," "after," and "last" give clues to the level of importance of each action.
Click on the Show button to see the correct order.
Paragraph Logic and Organization
Click on the sentences. Use the arrow keys to logically arrange the paragraph. Then click Go On.
Second are a map and compass, good hiking shoes, protective clothing, and a sleeping bag or other shelter.
If you are planning a weekend of hiking and camping in an unfamiliar area, there are several things you should take with you.
Less important, but worth taking, are cooking utensils and matches.
Most important are fresh water, food, and a first aid kit.
Question 2 of 10
The sentences in this paragraph should be arranged in order of importance, from most important to least important.
Part of your answer is correct. This is shown in blue. Try again.
The first sentence in this paragraph is the topic sentence. The other sentences are arranged in order of importance from the most important item to the least important item.
Click on the Show button to see the correct order.
Paragraph Logic and Organization
Click on the sentences. Use the arrow keys to logically arrange the paragraph. Then click Go On.
Then, he waited about 20 minutes for the coals to become very hot.
At 5:00, Joshua decided he would rather barbecue the chicken on the grill than bake it in the oven.
At 5:30, he filled the grill with charcoal and lit the coals.
At 6:00, he coated the chicken with barbecue sauce and placed it on the grill to cook.
Question 3 of 10
The sentences in this paragraph should be arranged in chronological or time order.
Part of your answer is correct. This is shown in blue. Try again.
The sentences in this paragraph are arranged in chronological order. The hours that are mentioned give clues to the logical order of the sentences.
Click on the Show button to see the correct order.
Paragraph Logic and Organization
Click on the sentences. Use the arrow keys to logically arrange the paragraph. Then click Go On.
This poisonous substance accumulated in the bay's fish, which were caught by fishermen and sold as food.
When the infected fish were eaten, people became very ill, and some even died.
Minamata Bay in Japan is a tragic example of how environmental pollution can rebound against man with deadly results.
During the 1950s and 1960s, inorganic mercury was regularly dumped into the bay as waste.
Question 4 of 10
The order of the sentences should show the sequence of events involving the pollution of Minamata Bay.
Part of your answer is correct. This is shown in blue. Try again.
The first sentence in the paragraph is the topic sentence. The other sentences are arranged in sequential order.
Click on the Show button to see the correct order.
Paragraph Logic and Organization
Click on the sentences. Use the arrow keys to logically arrange the paragraph. Then click Go On.
Until fairly recently, Venus was called the "planet of mystery" because so little was known about it.
Some of this mystery disappeared in 1930 when scientists established that Venus's atmosphere was carbon dioxide.
Then in 1970, scientists, using information gathered by space probes, were finally able to map Venus's surface.
More information was gained in 1962 when a U.S. space probe sent back information about the planet's rotation.
Question 5 of 10
The sentences in this paragraph should be arranged in chronological or time order.
Part of your answer is correct. This is shown in blue. Try again.
The first sentence in the paragraph is the topic sentence. The other sentences in the paragraph are arranged in chronological order according to the time each discovery was made.
Click on the Show button to see the correct order.
Paragraph Logic and Organization
Click on the sentences. Use the arrow keys to logically arrange the paragraph. Then click Go On.
After growing disillusioned with missionary work, Van Gogh finally devoted himself almost exclusively to painting.
One of Van Gogh's first jobs was working as a clerk in an art gallery.
Painting was not the first career choice for Vincent Van Gogh, the famous Dutch artist of the nineteenth century.
Soon afterwards, however, Van Gogh gave up clerking and dedicated himself to serving as a missionary to the poor.
Question 6 of 10
The sentences describe the sequence of Van Gogh's career changes. Find the arrangement that puts the sentences in sequential order.
Part of your answer is correct. This is shown in blue. Try again.
The topic sentence is the first sentence in the paragraph. The other sentences are arranged in sequential order. "First," "soon afterwards," and "after" give clues to the proper sequence.
Click on the Show button to see the correct order.
Paragraph Logic and Organization
Click on the sentences. Use the arrow keys to logically arrange the paragraph. Then click Go On.
The idea of keeping animals in zoos originated thousands of years ago, and the appearance of zoos has changed dramatically since then.
Then in the early twentieth century, more open, park-like zoos became fashionable in Europe.
The earliest zoos consisted of no more than small cages which held exotic animals.
Today, zoologists and architects work together to design zoo habitats similar to the animals' natural environments.
Question 7 of 10
The sentences in this paragraph should be arranged in chronological or time order.
Part of your answer is correct. This is shown in blue. Try again.
The topic sentence is the first sentence in the paragraph. The other sentences are arranged in chronological order according to the time each event occurred.
Click on the Show button to see the correct order.
Paragraph Logic and Organization
Click on the sentences. Use the arrow keys to logically arrange the paragraph. Then click Go On.
Hawaii was annexed in 1898 and became an American territory the following year.
Finally, the Hawaiian Islands became the fiftieth state in 1959.
It has been a long road to American statehood for the Hawaiian Islands.
Early in the 1800s, Hawaii's request for American annexation was turned down.
Question 8 of 10
The sentences in this paragraph should be arranged in chronological or time order.
Part of your answer is correct. This is shown in blue. Try again.
The first sentence in the paragraph is the topic sentence. The other sentences are arranged in chronological order according to the year of each event.
Click on the Show button to see the correct order.
Paragraph Logic and Organization
Click on the sentences. Use the arrow keys to logically arrange the paragraph. Then click Go On.
The first requirement is a college degree, which includes courses in chemistry, biology, and math.
The process of becoming a physician is long and demanding.
The last step is the completion of 3 to 8 years of a hospital residency program.
Next, the prospective physician must attend 4 years of medical school for more specialized course work.
Question 9 of 10
The sentences in this paragraph should be arranged in sequential order. The words "first," "next," and "last" give clues to the sequence.
Part of your answer is correct. This is shown in blue. Try again.
The first sentence in the paragraph is the topic sentence. The other sentences are arranged in sequential order. "First," "next," and "last" are used as clues to the proper sequence.
Click on the Show button to see the correct order.
Paragraph Logic and Organization
Click on the sentences. Use the arrow keys to logically arrange the paragraph. Then click Go On.
First, you must sand or strip off all the old layers of paint.
Next, apply a coat of varnish or wood stain.
Refinishing a piece of old furniture is one of the best ways to avoid the expense of buying new furniture.
Then, allow the varish or wood stain to dry completely before adding a second and final coat.
Question 10 of 10
The sentences in this paragraph should be arranged in sequential order. The words "first," "next," and "then" give clues to the sequence.
Part of your answer is correct. This is shown in blue. Try again.
The topic sentence is the first sentence in this paragraph. The other sentences are arranged in sequential order. "First," "next," and "then" are used as clues to the proper sequence.
Click on the Show button to see the correct order.
Paragraph Logic and Organization