Minutes a day n e w y o r k

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M O R E   O R G A N I Z AT I O N A L   S T R AT E G I E S
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5 8
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Notice how the protective strategies are first classified into three categories: appearance, chemicals, and armor.
Each of these categories is then further classified for analysis. Appearance, for example, is broken down into three
types of protection strategies: camouflage, warning colors, and mimicry.

O r d e r   o f   I m p o r t a n c e
One of the most frequently used organizational strategies, order of importance is often the main organizing prin-
ciple of an essay. Even when it’s not, it’s used in individual sections and paragraphs. It works in both directions,
as cause and effect does. You can begin with the most important, and work toward the least, or begin with the least
important, and finish with the most.
Most important generally means most supportive, most convincing, or most striking. For example, the outline
you just read lists several protection strategies. While the overall organizing principle is analysis/classification, most
sections within that larger structure are also organized by order of importance. Look again at the section on
appearance:
I. Appearance
A. camouflage
1.
moths
2. flounder
3. walking stick
B. warning colors
1.
monarch butterfly
2. coral snake
3. South American poisonous frog
C. mimicry
1.
king snake resembling coral snake
2. swallowtail butterfly larva resembling snake
3.  snowberry fly resembling jumping spider
“Appearance” is one of the essays’ major supporting ideas. The three minor supporting ideas—camouflage,
warning colors, and mimicry—are listed in order of importance. Camouflage is the most common and least sophis-
ticated of the three, whereas mimicry is the most unique and most compelling way that animals use appearance
to protect themselves. And for each of these three supporting ideas, three specific examples are provided. Again,
they are listed in order of importance, from the least striking example to the most compelling.
Whenever you’re building an argument (and in most essays, that’s exactly what you’re doing), it’s most effec-
tive to start with the least important idea and move to the most important. A good argument is like a snowball
rolling down a hill. It builds momentum and strength as it rolls, one idea building upon another. And because
you’re working to convince readers that your assertions are valid, it helps to use this structure. In many cases, your
least important ideas are probably also the least controversial and easiest to accept. It makes sense to begin with
those that your reader will most likely agree with, and build the reader’s trust and acceptance as you work toward
more difficult concepts.