Patterns of Development - Reading and Writing

1. 1. Narration Narration tells a story. It relates an incident or a series of events that leads to
a conclusion or ending. It tells the readers when, where, and what happened. A narrative
paragraph contains action verbs and transition words that indicate time or sequence. The
following are some transition words used to signal time or sequence order: First, second,
etc. After, next, then, eventually, soon Meanwhile, a short time later During, at the same
time, simultaneously Suddenly, instantly, momentarily The next day, following,
thereafter In the end, ultimately Narration is usually used in the humanities. In a writing
class, for instance, you can write about a particular event or situation.
2. 2. The narrative paragraph tells a part of a story in the first person. It shows a sequence
of events connected by transition words like then, suddenly, finally, momentarily, and the
next day. Also, action verbs like was walking, ran, and fell are used to indicate
movement.
3. 3. Description • Description gives information of what a person, an object, a place, or a
situation is like. It appeals to the reader’s senses; it makes the reader see, hear, taste,
smell, or feel the subject. • A descriptive paragraph has concrete and specific details,
which are carefully chosen by a writer to paint a picture in the mind of the reader.
Literary analyses, descriptive essays, business plans, lab reports, and research papers are
some examples of writing genres that use descriptive paragraphs.
4. 4. Definition Definition explains a concept, term, or subject. Its main purpose is to tell
what something is. It consists of three parts: (1) the term, concept, or subject to be
defined; (2) the general class to which it belongs, and (3) the characteristics that
differentiate it from the other members of its class. This pattern of development is
commonly used in the sciences, humanities, and business.
5. 5. Tips • You can develop your paragraphs in any pattern that suits your writing purpose.
• Use narration to relate an incident or a series of events. Remember to use transition
words that indicate time and sequence. • Use description to tell what someone or
something is like. Remember to use concrete and specific details. • Use definition to
explain a concept, term, or subject. Remember to give specific characteristics of what you
are defining.
6. 6. Comparison To compare persons, things, places, events, situations, or ideas is to show
how they are alike. You need to identify the points of comparison and make a list of
similar characteristics or qualities for each point of comparison. The following are words
that signal similarities: also like both as... as similarly in the same way equally important
likewise
7. 7. Contrast To contrast persons, things, places, events, situations, or ideas is to show how
they are different. To do so, you need to make a list of the characteristics or qualities of
the subjects and then identify the differences between them. The following are some
words that signal contrast: but however though on the other hand in contrast
8. 8. Comparison and Contrast • Comparison and contrast paragraphs are common in
writing in many academic disciplines like the humanities, sciences, and business. Such
paragraphs can be found in character analyses; various kinds of essays; political science,
sociology, and historical papers; lab reports; progress reports; book and film reviews; and
marketing campaigns. • A paragraph developed by comparison and contrast has a
 unifying idea or purpose. Also, it must be balanced in such a way that there is an equal
amount of information for each subject to avoid bias.
9. 9. Exemplification • Exemplification is one of the most common and effective ways to
show or explain an idea or point (e.g., observation, opinion, belief). In this pattern of
development, the main idea is explained by giving an extended example or a series of
detailed examples. • Many writing assignments in various disciplines require the use of
exemplification. Argumentative and exemplification essays, feature articles, reviews,
reports, and case studies often use examples to prove a point.
10. 10. Classification • Classification refers to sorting or arranging subjects (e.g., persons,
places, things, ideas) into groups or categories according to their common or shared
characteristic. The subjects can be grouped in many different ways depending on your
purpose. With a purpose in mind, you can determine how to group the subjects in your
list. The group or category should have a single basis of classification. • Classification is
commonly done in various disciplines. Classifying historical events by year, popular TV
shows by genre, diseases based on mode of transmission, cleaning products based on
manufacturer, and animals based on habitat are some examples of topics in different
disciplines.
11. 11. Using Exemplification and Classification You can use both exemplification and
classification in developing a paragraph. You can begin by classifying some ideas and
then explain each idea by giving examples.
12. 12. • Exemplification shows, proves, or explains a general idea or point by using
examples. • Classification refers to sorting or arranging subjects into groups or categories
according to their common or shared characteristic. • The group or category should have
a single basis of classification, and the grouping or categorization must suit the purpose. •
You can use both exemplification and classification in developing a paragraph.
13. 13. Cause and Effect A cause is simply “why something happens,” and an effect is “what
happens.” Together, they can be used as a pattern of development in writing. With the
cause-and-effect pattern, the writer can explain how an event or action leads to another.
The following words can be used to signal cause and effect: as a result accordingly
because of (this) due to (this) consequently hence/therefore/thus There are three different
ways to use the cause-and-effect pattern in writing: Cause to effect Effect to cause
Consecutive cause and effect
14. 14. • Cause to Effect The cause, which can be an event or action, can be stated right at the
beginning of a paragraph, followed by sentences stating the effects. This type of
organization is best for explaining a single cause with different effects. • Effect to Cause
The effect can be stated at the beginning of the text, followed by sentences and
paragraphs that expound on the causes. This type of organization is best for presenting a
single effect with different causes.
15. 15. • Consecutive Cause and Effect In this type of organization, the causes, each with its
corresponding effect, are tackled one by one in a few sentences or a paragraph. The
writer explains each cause and effect completely before moving on to the next cause and
effect.
16. 16. Key Points • A cause tells why something happens, while an effect describes what
happens. • The writer can use the cause-and-effect pattern of development to explain how
an event or action leads to another. • There are three ways to use the cause-and-effect
pattern in writing: (1) cause to effect manner to discuss a single cause with different
 effects; (2) effect to causemanner to discuss a single effect with different causes; and (3)
consecutive cause and effect manner to discuss a cause and its effect completely before
moving on to the next cause and effect.
17. 17. Persuasion • A persuasive paragraph intends to convince readers to do or believe in
something. Many writing genres such as critiques or reviews, reaction papers, editorials,
proposals, advertisements, and brochures make strong use of persuasive paragraphs to
state opinions and to influence others. • Knowing how to write a persuasive paragraph
allows you to express your personal conviction or opinion about an issue or topic and
make the readers agree with or adopt your conviction or opinion. There are three
common techniques that you can use in developing a persuasive paragraph: – Using
evidence – Giving examples – Attacking an opposing view • Using Evidence • You can
use strong evidence such as facts and statistics, statements of expert authorities, and
research findings to create impact and establish credibility. Readers will more likely be
convinced to side with your position or agree with your opinion if it is backed up by
verifiable evidence.
18. 18. Giving Examples Another technique to persuade readers is by giving examples.
Providing examples can enhance your idea or opinion and make it concrete. These
examples can be based on observations or from your own personal experience. When
using examples, they must be concrete, relevant, and reasonable.
19. 19. • Attacking an Opposing View • In this persuasive technique, you assert your opinion
by attacking or criticizing someone or an opposing idea. Belittling someone’s idea,
dismissing the credibility of someone or an idea, and making fun of someone’s idea are
some forms of attack that can be used to strengthen your opinion. However, this
technique can insult or alienate the readers if excessively done.
20. 20. Key Points A persuasive paragraph intends to convince readers to do or believe in
something. There are three common techniques that you can use in developing a
persuasive paragraph: using evidence, giving examples, and attacking an opposing view.
21. 21. Problem-solution •
A problem in general is an unsatisfactory situation that causes troubles or difficulties. Th
erefore, it needs a solution, a way to deal with the situation so that the troubles or difficu
lties are removed. • In writing across disciplines, the problem-solution pattern of
development is used to deal with topics that pose problems and present solutions in a log
ical manner. • In this lesson, the following variations of the problem-
solution pattern are discussed: – Problem-Solution – Problem-Cause-Solution – Problem-
Process-Solution
22. 22. • The problem-solution
pattern is a straightforward approach. The problem is expressed in a simple statement, a
nd a possible solution is given. • In a problem-cause-solution
pattern, the cause of the problem is identified and analyzed before a possible solution is
presented. • In a problem-process-solution
pattern, the process or procedure is discussed extensively. In the discussion, the problem
is addressed; the readers are led to the solution.
23. 23. •
A problem in general is an unsatisfactory situation that causes troubles or difficulties. Th
erefore, it needs a solution, a way to deal with the situation so that the troubles or difficu
lties are removed. • The problem-solution pattern of
 development is used in writing to deal with topics that pose problems and present soluti
ons in a logical manner. It has three variations: • The problem-solution
pattern is a straightforward approach. The writer states the problem directly and gives a
possible solution. • The problem-cause-solution
pattern allows the writer to identify and analyze the cause of the problem before presenti
ng a possible solution. • The problem-process-solution
pattern allows the writer to discuss the process or procedure that leads to the solution of
the problem.
24. 24. Tips Choose a pattern that best suits the purpose of your writing.
Follow academic writing conventions. Suit your vocabulary, style, and formatting acco
rding to the subject.