In the chronological pattern, the ideas in the paragraph are related to time order. They are fixed in a certain order because of their relationship in time. Be careful not to mix this up with the list pattern. The chronological pattern can sometimes sound like a list, but the ideas will be fixed chronologically in some way. This is because often when we list ideas, we must do so chronologically. Can you think of a time when you might need to list something that has to be in a certain order?

The time pattern will use words that show time as transitions. These words will tell us that ideas in sentences are related to each other because of when they occurred or when they should occur. 

Chronology—notice how ideas are introduced with transition words and form a pattern of ideas presented in chronological order. The ideas are fixed in this order because they cannot be moved around. Also note that each idea doesn't have to be introduced with a transition, but there is still a pattern of chronology in the ideas. 

Whip up a batch of delicious brownies by first preheating your oven and lining a baking pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients like flour, cocoa powder, and sugar. Then, in a separate bowl, cream together butter and eggs. Gently combine the wet and dry mixtures until just incorporated, taking care not to overmix. Finally, pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let the brownies cool completely before cutting into squares and enjoying! 

Practice 1: Read the following paragraph and see if you can find the words that connect the ideas. 

Continue reading after the paragraph for hints.

Renaissance theater evolved significantly over time, beginning in the late 15th century with the influence of classical texts from Ancient Greece and Rome. Initially, early Renaissance plays were performed in churches and town squares, focusing on morality plays and religious themes. By the early 16th century, secular plays began to emerge, inspired by humanist ideas and emphasizing everyday life and human emotions. As time went on, permanent theaters were constructed, such as the Teatro Olimpico in Italy in 1585 and later the Globe Theatre in England in 1599, creating spaces dedicated to performance. During this period, playwrights like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe in England, as well as Lope de Vega in Spain, began to write more complex and diverse works. Finally, in the early 17th century, theater had developed into a sophisticated art form, blending poetry, music, and elaborate staging to captivate audiences across Europe.

In the paragraph, the author uses words and phrases as transitions to connect the ideas. The ideas are connected chronologically, and the author uses these transitions as clues so the reader clearly understands how the ideas are connected. Here are several of the words and phrases the author uses:

• Initially

• By the early 16th century

• As time went on

• Later

• During

• Finally

You can see there are a variety of words and phrases that can indicate a time pattern by connecting the ideas chronologically. Can you tell what the author is explaining in this paragraph? The clue is in the first sentence: the evolution of Renaissance theater.

Practice 2: Read the paragraph below and try to identify the transition words. 

This time, see if you can understand the idea presented with each transition word. These ideas are called the details. In a time pattern paragraph, each detail is presented in chronological order.

If you'd like to learn how to draw, simply follow this step-by-step process to build your skills. Initially, you can start by gathering your materials, such as paper, pencils, erasers, and any references you want to use. Next, practice basic shapes like circles, squares, and triangles, as these are the foundation for more complex drawings. Then, move on to sketching simple objects, focusing on proportions and light outlines rather than details. After that, add shading and textures to create depth and dimension in your drawings. Finally, keep practicing regularly and gradually tackle more challenging subjects like landscapes, animals, or people. By following these steps, you can steadily improve your drawing abilities and create impressive artwork.

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