READING AND WRITING

THIRD QUARTER

I. PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT
A pattern of development in writing refers to the particular strategy writers use to develop
ideas. It helps them sort out information and shape paragraphs or essays. It can help organize an
outline or depending on the purpose it can determine the form that a paper will take.
Consider these common patterns of thought and consider specific ways in which you’ve applied
each thinking pattern in your everyday life.
1. Narration- The purpose of narration is to tell a story or relate an event. Narration is an
especially useful tool for sequencing or putting details and information into some kind 2
of logical order, usually chronological. Literature uses narration heavily, but it also can be
useful in non-fiction, academic writing for strong impact.
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, 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, among others.

2. Description- The purpose of description is to recreate, invent, or visually present a

person, place, event, or action so that the reader can picture that which is being described.
It is heavily based on sensory details: sight, sound, smell, feel and taste. 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.

3. Exemplification- Exemplification extends this idea even further: it carries one or more
examples into great detail, in order to show the details of a complex problem in a way
that’s easy for readers to understand. 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.

4. 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. Process Analysis- Analyzing a process can also be thought of as “how-to” instruction.
Technical writing includes a lot of process analysis, for instance. Academic writing can
incorporate process analysis to show how an existing problem came to be, or how it
might be solved, by following a clear series of steps.

6. Classification/Division- Classification takes one large concept and divides it into

individual pieces. A nice result from this type of writing is that it helps the reader to
understand a complex topic by focusing on its smaller parts. This is particularly useful
when an author has a unique way of dividing the concepts, to provide new insight into the
ways it could be viewed.

7. Comparison/Contrast- 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. 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. Cause/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
causeand-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 and Consecutive Cause and Effect.

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.
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.
9. Problem/Solution- A problem in general is an unsatisfactory situation that causes
troubles or difficulties. Therefore, it needs a solution, a way to deal with the situation so
that the troubles or difficulties 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 logical manner. The following are variations of the problem- solution
pattern: – Problem-Solution, Problem-Cause-Solution, and Problem-Process-Solution.

10. 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 and 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.

*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.

* 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.