Topic: PATTERNS IN PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT

Subject: Reading and Writing Skills (Grade 11)

Quarter/Semester: 1st Quarter, 1st Semester

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.

 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
- 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.

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

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

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

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
  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.

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 cause
manner 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.

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.
- In this lesson, the following variations of the problem-
solution pattern are discussed:
– Problem-Solution
– Problem-Cause-Solution
– Problem-Process-Solution
- The problem-solution pattern is a straightforward 
approach. The problem is expressed in a simple 
statement, and 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.
- 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.
 - The problem-solution pattern of development is used 
in writing to deal with topics that pose problems and 
present solutions 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 
presenting 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.

TIPS

 Choose a pattern that best suits the purpose of your writing.
 Follow academic writing conventions. Suit your 
vocabulary, style, and formatting according to the  subject.

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.

- 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.

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.