组织段落的常见方法有：1）时间顺序；2）空间顺序；3）重要性顺序和；4）熟悉度顺序。在前几单元，我们曾提到写叙述段落和过程分析时用时间顺序，写描述段落时用空间顺序。在这一单元里，我们将着重讨论这两种组织方法。另两种方法--重要性和熟悉度顺序--将在第19单元讨论。
12．1时间顺序法
段落内组织细节的最简单最常见的方法是时间顺序法（time order organization）。时间顺序通常用于叙述和过程分析--先发生什么，然后怎样，再然后怎样，等等。正如我们在示范段落9－1和示范段落11－1所看到的一样。其实在你的生活中你经常运用这种方法。你也许曾经告诉你父母在学校里发生的事情。你也许向老师或同学叙述过你是怎样做一个实验的。这些用的都是时间顺序。
12．2关于如何写时间顺序段落的建议
1）写下你要记录的事件或步骤，然后按照时间顺序排列
2）确定你的写作目的，然后写出带有中心思想的主题句
3）从你列举的事件或步骤中删除与中心思想无关的细节
4）使用"first，then，the next step"等等列举符号把细节连接起来
12．3空间顺序法
段落组织的另一方法是空间顺序法（space order organization）。空间顺序主要用于描述，正如我们在示范段落10－1和示范段落10－2所看到的。空间顺序和时间顺序一样，是生活中经常使用的方法。你也许曾在信中向你父母描述你的学院，或向你的同学描述一个风景区。
12．4关于如何写空间顺序段落的建议
按照你想让你的读者了解你要描绘的场面的方式移动--例如，从左到右，或从背景到前景，或按顺时针方向，等等。
12．5综合运用空间顺序和时间顺序
有时候，尤其在描写参观时，有必要同时运用空间顺序和时间顺序，以增强段落的统一性。
示范段落12-1
We enjoyed our visit to Dr Hassan's house，perched high up on a hill．Walking up the long driveway，we approached the huge bronze door．A butler was standing in the open doorway，ushering guests into the house．Going in，we passed the oak－pannelled library and the formal dining room before we arrived at the ballroom，where the reception was being held．Under three sparkling chandeliers，more than a hundred people were enjoying champagne，hors d'oeuvres and good conversation．
12．6示范段落分析
主题句：We enjoyed our visit to Dr Hassan's house．
时间空间顺序：driveway→door→house→library→diningroom→ballroom
Exercise 12－1
Directions：Arrange the sentences into a paragraph，using the time order and adding the necessary listing signals．
-She never had a birthday party and she was twenty－one year sold．
-The party was really a successful one．
-We planned to serve fruit punch and coffee．
-We planned entertainment．
-We carefully made a guest list．
-We planned a surprise party for Mary recently．
-We included many of her friends from school，a few of her friends from her neighbourhood，and all of her brothers and sisters．
-A boy did mayic tricks skillfully；another boy played the guitar well．
-We also wanted chicken sandwiches，a birthday cake with twenty－one candles，and ice cream．
-We especially enjoyed the group singing．
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Exercise 12-2
Directions：Narrate an incident from your own childhood in which you behave in a way you later regretted，using time order．
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Exercise 12－3
Directions：Narrate one of your trip，either by bike，by bus or bytrain，combining time order and space order．
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