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2nd Semester in Reading and Writing

Lesson 6
Patterns of Development | Problem – Solution and Persuasion

I. Preliminaries

I. Objectives

Content Standard:

Realize that information in a written text may be selected and organized to


achieve a particular purpose.

Power Standard

Critique a chosen sample of each pattern of development focusing on


information selection, organization, and development.

Learning Competencies

The students should be able to identify the different patterns of development in


writing across disciplines and effectively use these methods in their academic life
especially the definition and exemplification/classification

II. Content:

Patterns of Development | Problem – Solution and Persuasion

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2nd Semester in Reading and Writing
Lesson 6
Patterns of Development | Problem – Solution and Persuasion

Concept Notes
A. Definitions of Terms
Terms here are conceptually and operationally defined for better understanding of the readers.

Problem – a matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with
and overcome.
Solution – a means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation.
Persuasion – the action or fact of persuading someone or of being persuaded to do or believe
something.

A. Concept Note

PROBLEM-SOLUTION

Similar to cause and effect, problem and solution go hand in hand as a process. This pattern
is most commonly found in scientific papers, which presents a problem, and then describes the
way this problem was solved or remedied by way of the scientific process.

A problem and solution paragraph in a text begins by identifying the problem or situation,
and later on presents a solution to a problem. However, the solution may not be stated
immediately after the problem. The problem is essentially the "cause," and it moves the events
forward until a solution to it could be found.

The problem is ultimately something that the text seeks to resolve. Whether the problem
is resolved within a few pages or all the way to its conclusion is left to the writer's discretio n. What
is important is to identify in the first place what the problem is, and what the precise solution is.
The progress from problem to solution is more heavily detailed in scientific research papers,
while creative writing may take less obvious routes to reach its solution.

Example: "So there I was standing with no car, no shoes, no phone, and absolutely
no one to ask help from. What else are you going to do when stranded at the side of a
desert road with the nearest town not for another eleven miles? You hoof it, of course. And well,
seeing as how I had no choice, I decided that going somewhere was better than standing there
under the boiling sun and preparing to die. So walk I did. It was just eleven miles, how bad
could it be?"

The problem could range from a minor to a major one. One definition of a plot could be that it is the
overall "problem," and that the rest of the events throughout the text is a search for a "solution."

In formal and scientific papers, the problem is presented as the thesis statement. This thesis statement
is meant to be answered in the research paper through the information that can possibly be found in
the body of the text. The conclusion is essentially the "solution."

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Example:

Consumption of processed and convenience foods have led to an increase in obesity and
reduction in the fitness level of the adult population. In some countries, especially industrialized ones,
the number of obese people can amount to one third of the population. This is significant as obesity and
poor fitness lead to a decrease in life expectancy, and it is therefore important for individuals and
governments to work together to tackle this issue and improve their citizens' diet and fitness.

Obesity and poor fitness decrease life expectancy. Overweight people are more likely to have
serious illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease, which can result in premature death. It is well
known that regular exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, which means that those
with poor fitness levels are at an increased risk of suffering from those problems.

Changes by individuals to their diet and their physical activity can increase life expectancy.
There is a reliance today on the consumption of processed foods, which have a high fat and sugar
content. By preparing their own foods, and consuming more fruits and vegetables, people could ensure
that their diets are healthier and more balanced, which could lead to a reduction in obesity levels. In
order to improve fitness levels, people could choose to walk or ride a bike to work or to the shops
rather than taking the car. They could also choose to walk upstairs instead of taking the elevator. These
simple changes could lead to a significant improvement in fitness levels.

Government agencies could also implement initiatives to improve their citizens' eating and
exercise habits. This can be done through education, by adding topics to the curriculum about healthy
diet and lifestyle. Government offices may also provide more bike lanes or increase vehicle taxes.
While some might argue that increased taxes are a negative way to solve the problem, it is no different
from the high taxes imposed on cigarettes to reduce cigarette consumption.

In short, obesity and poor fitness are significant problems in modern life, leading to lower life
expectancy. Individuals and government agencies can work together to tackle this problem and to
improve diet and fitness. Of the solutions suggested, those made by individuals themselves are likely
to have more impact, though it is clear that a concerted effort with the government is essential for
success. With obesity levels in industrialized and industrializing countries continuing to rise, it is
essential that we take action now to deal with this problem.

PERSUASION

There are instances when the writer's opinions may seem unorthodox or unusual, and the writer
would then have to resort to persuasion to convince the reader of his message. This is done by utilizing
persuasion as a pattern of development, as it convinces the reader of the text's message or platform. It
provides strong data that backs up the writer's opinions which then leaves little room for contradictory
opinion.

This discourse, which seeks to influence the readers to take some action, is also meant to
present information that will cause the reader to believe the justification of the message found in the
text. Oftentimes, this process, as used on a personal level, is meant to discuss the writer's opinion on
the subject. A text that presents the opinion of the writer is considered "persuasion," which convinces
the reader of the writer's point of view.

Persuasion paragraphs can be found in nearly all fields. In journalism, opinion pieces and
editorials fall under the persuasion pattern. In creative writing, a character might speak in a persuasive
dialogue that explains his motivations for an action. Formal and scientific writing, such as book reports,

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reaction papers, essays, and documents pertaining to a field experience could also use persuasion as
a pattern of development.

For as long as the text aims to strengthen a point of view of the writer by using convincing
evidences that make the readers take some action, it follows the pattern of persuasion.

Example:

"Dear Linda, thank you for your letter. I must say that I disagree with your view.
Vaccinations are actually an extremely necessary part of keeping everyone, including your
own children, safe from disease. The herd immunity that protects us all is only strong as long
as everyone continues ensuring that their children are vaccinated. There are children who, for
medical reasons, cannot receive vaccination, and therefore are relying on the immunity of the
herd. To not vaccinate your children would be risking so many more in danger to diseases that
the human race has nearly eradicated."

In the example above, the writer supplies his opinion, which is backed up with facts or information
relevant to the topic that has caused him to think this way. Through this, the readers could be persuaded
to think of things in the same way as the writer. This also works in first-person narratives in fictional
novels, wherein the restricted view of the protagonist is meant to persuade the reader of the justification
of his actions.

Types of Persuasion

Persuasion is a useful tool, whether you are presenting a doctoral thesis or you just want to
convince your husband to buy new carpet for the family room. Knowing the six types of
persuasion and how they factor in to presenting --- and winning --- your case is important.
They are: ethos, pathos, logos, statistics, deliberation and refutation.

Ethos

Ethos is used to demonstrate good character and credentials. The persuasion lies in
the power and authority of the speaker. Classical orators used ethos, not to convince, but to
fasten the already established rightness of their cause in the minds of their listeners.

Pathos

Having established character and credentials, the second type of persuasion is pathos.
This is when a speaker (or crafty wife) uses her listener's emotions to further cement her case.

Logos

Logos, the third type of persuasion, is the proof of the speech or point being made.
Logos is persuasion by words, not hard evidence. It's a presentation that convinces the listener
the conclusion given is the right one for the occasion (sort of like having the right answer all
along).

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Statistics

A more advanced method is the fourth type, statistics. This builds on the oratory of the
Greek philosophers, while adding in more advanced science, or what we call "hard data."
Statistics support an argument with a different sort of logos. The key is differentiating between
statistics and facts, and how to use them. Many positions are supported by the term "studies
show," when often the numbers taken from a study to support a particular cause or point do
not actually represent the overall point of the study.

Deliberation

Deliberation is one of the two types of persuasion in speech advocated by Aristotle,


the Greek philosopher. Also known as legislative speech, this type of persuasion is an attempt
to answer questions of policy or questions of value, and to prioritize problems and proposed
solutions.

Refutation

Counterpoint to deliberation is refutation. One form of refutation is the rebuttal speech.


To rebut is to overcome the opposition's argument by introducing other evidence that reduces
the appeal of the opposition's claim. The other form is the refutation speech. This differs from
the rebuttal speech because it does seek to prove the opposition's argument is wrong, or false,
but instead it focuses on the faulty reasoning or lack of support provided by the opposition
speaker.

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2nd Semester in Reading and Writing
Lesson 6
Patterns of Development | Problem – Solution and Persuasion

Seatwork No. 1

A. Fill-in-the-Blanks. Complete the following statements.


1. Writers go through a _______________ before placing their ideas on paper.
2. _______________ describes how, when, and where an event or occurrence actually happened.
3. Terminology places emphasis on the fact _______________ that are critical to the narration.
4. Without, _______________ the text would become dry and without detail.
5. Comparison and contrast is often used in _______________ when it is essential to document
the development of a certain concept from incarnation to present form.

ACTIVITY NO. 1
Directions: Using the Venn Diagram below, compare and contrast this topic PROBLEM AND SOLUTION

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