Patterns of Development

Lesson
in Writing
2
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
 identify the different characteristics of each pattern of development in
writing;

Writing Paragraphs
 The word paragraph comes from two Greek words: para which means
“beyond” or “beside” and graphein which means “to write”.
 A paragraph is a collection of related sentences with one central idea. Each
sentence shows connection to other sentences in the paragraph.
 A paragraph is an independent unit or a related unit. As an independent unit, it
is complete in itself. As a related unit, it is a part of a composition that is
combined with other paragraphs to make a larger composition.
 Whether a paragraph is an independent unit or a related unit, it has its
beginning, middle and end.

DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE PARAGRAPHS

One of the most important elements in writing is the form or structure. It is worth
noting that without a solid structure in place, the content you have gathered would fall
apart. After constructing an outline and writing your first draft, it is time to get on to
paragraph writing.

An effective paragraph shows the unity of the sentences used in developing the
main idea. A paragraph is made up of the topic sentence which contains the main
idea, the supporting details and the conclusion or the clinching sentence at the end.

 Topic sentence – it reveals the main or central idea of the paragraph. It does not
necessarily have to be placed at the beginning of the paragraph. It may be found
in the middle of the first and the last sentence or at the end. If it is found at the
end of the paragraph, it may be used as a clinching or concluding sentence.
 Supporting details – they give the paragraph life as it elaborates on the scope
given by the topic sentence.
 Clinching sentence – it closes your paragraph. According to Dagdag (2010),
this “may be a restatement of the topic sentence, a summary, or a conclusion
based on the supporting details.”

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 Patterns of Development in Writing

A. Narration

 Narration, from the root word narrates, originated from the Latin word
narrare— which means related or told.
 It gives a written account of an event or story, or simply, storytelling. The
sequence of events is told in chronological order.
 It usually contains the following: the who, what and when.
 A narrative must have “vivid” description of details, a consistent point of view
and verb tense, and a well-defined point or significance.” (Tiongson, 2016).
 At the end of writing it, it must send a clear message to its readers through
the story.

A narrative paragraph simply tells what happened and establishes facts. It is

sharing of personal experiences that offer lessons and insights. It is more than just
a chronological sequence of events that happen to the different characters. It also
contains elements of drama and tension.

Narration is the most common type of paragraph development. It has the

following elements:
1. Setting. It is the time and location in which a story takes place.

2. Characters. The life-giving element of the story.

3. Plot. It is the logical series of events in the story.

The five essential parts of the plot are:
a. Exposition. It is the part of the story where the characters and
the setting are revealed.
b. Rising Action. It is where the events in the story become
complicated and the conflict in the story is exposed.
c. Climax. This is the highest point of interest and the turning point
of the story.
d. Falling Action. The events and complications begin to resolve
themselves.
e. Denouement. The final resolution of the plot in the story.

4. Point of View. It is the perspective of the writer in narrating the story.

a. First person point of view . The story is told by the protagonist or
one of the characters using pronouns I , me , we.
b. Second person point of view . The author tells the story in second
point of view using the pronouns you , yours, and your.
c. Third person point of view . The narrator is not part of the story
but describes the events that happen. The writer uses the
pronouns he, she, him, and her.

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 Example:

B. Description & Definition

 Description gives information of what a person, an object, a place or a
situation is like.
 It appeals to the reader’s senses.
 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.

Descriptive writing emphasizes a reader’s ability to paint vivid pictures using

words on a reader’s mind. This relies on the writer’s ability to appeal to his/her five
senses: the sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing.

To rouse feelings, emotions and reactions from the readers is what descriptive
paragraphs aim for. Simple adjectives will not simply cut it for readers desiring for
appropriate description of an event, thing, place or person.

According to Dagdag (2010), there are two types of description: objective and
subjective.

Objective description is a factual description of the topic at hand. This

relies its information on physical aspects and appeals to those who crave
for facts.

Example

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 Subjective description allows the writer to explore ways to describe an
emotion, an event, a thing, a place or person, appealing to emotions.
Often, this is an artistic way of describing things, mostly from the eye and
perspective of the writer.

Example

Here is a word bank of sensory words to refer to when you want to add
descriptive details to your paragraphs
SIGHT SOUND SMELL TOUCH TASTE
sparkling yelp musty sticky spicy
gloomy shriek rotten grainy sweet
glossy whisper fragrant smooth sour
bright hiss fresh satiny bitter
dazzling screech pungent pointy bland
cloudy chortle fruity clammy creamy
blurred sneeze stinky furry delectable
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.
 A definition explains what a term means. When you want your readers to
know exactly how you are using a certain term or an unfamiliar
concept, you use definition.
 It appeals to the reader’s senses.

Definition is the main constituent of any dictionary. In developing a paragraph by

definition, you should take account of these things:
a) the term to be defined
b) the class to which the term belongs
c) the characteristics that distinguish the term from the other members of its
class.

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Take a look at this example of a definition:
An owl is a bird with a large head, strong talons and has a nocturnal habit.
Owl – is the term to defined
Bird – is the class where the owl belongs
with a large head, strong talons and has a nocturnal habit – are the characteristics
that distinguish the owl from the other birds.

The following are the different types of definitions:

Formal Definition- The definitions provided in dictionaries.
Informal Definitions- The three common informal definitions are operational
definitions, synonyms, and connotations.
a. Operational Definitions gives the meaning of an abstract word for one
particular time and place.
b. Synonyms or words that mean the same as another word.
c. Denotation is the exact meaning of the word
d. Connotation is an idea or meaning suggested by or associated with a
word or things.
Paragraph- It is a definition sentence which is extended into a paragraph by
adding meanings, descriptions, narrations , and other kinds of paragraph
development to make clear the term being defined.
C. Classification
 Classification paragraphs group items into categories, to establish a clear
distinction. If the topic encompasses a large body of information, one effective
way of elaborating it is through classifying things of distinct features into
groups/classes.
 Classification groups items into categories to establish a clear distinction
between related or similar ideas. Similar items are grouped into categories for
the readers to better understand and analyze the material at hand.

In a classification paragraph you tell readers how a collection of items

can be sorted into categories. It is an activity of sorting items (people, things ,
ideas ) into categories.

Terms that signal classification

aspects kinds qualities traits
areas levels systems types

Transitional Expressions
can be divided can be classified
can be classified the first type

D. Comparison & Contrast

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  A comparison tells how two things are similar. A contrast tells how they are
different. A paragraph developed by comparison and contrast has a unifying
idea or purpose of attempting to weigh decisions between two ideas or
subjects.
 A comparison and contrast paragraph must be balanced in such a way that
there is an equal amount of information for each subject to avoid bias.

There are two ways in writing a comparison and contrast paragraph.

Subject – by - Subject Method- You present all of the facts and

supporting details about one topic , and then you give all the facts
and supporting details about the other topic.

Example

Point – by - Point Arrangement- You discuss each point for both

subjects before giving on the next point.

Example

E. Cause and Effect

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  A cause is what makes a particular thing happen.
 and
Cause An effect
Effect is what results
paragraphs arefrom a particular
written situation,purposes:
for the following activity, or behavior.
 A paragraph developed by causal analysis must not only raise the question
why, but also give answers to the satisfaction of the reader.

Causes Effects
 Lack of Time
management Event/Situation
 Lack of Self  Poor
discipline performance in
 Lack of Poor Study Habits class
motivation/inter  Low or failing
est grades

F. Problem- Solution
 In composition writing, problem-solution is a method for analyzing and
writing about a topic by identifying a problem and proposing one or more
solutions.
 Problem-solution paragraphs as the term implies, presents and identifies a
problem and proposes possible solution/s.

In composing this type of essay, you must present an argument or stand and
support it with reliable evidence in order to persuade the readers to make a particular
move or action (Kemper et.al, 2016).

According to Soles (2010), topics for problem-solution essays “are typically

framed in the form of questions.” Problem-solution essay can provide answers to 5W
and 1H (who, what, when, where, why, and how) questions. Soles (2010) added that
this type of essay has essentially two parts: “a full explanation of the nature of the
problem, followed by an analysis of solutions and their likelihood of success.”

Example

Structure of paragraphs in a problem-solution essay:

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 Nordquist (1995) suggested the following structure of a problem-solution paper
that may serve as a guide on what to include in this type of essay:

1. Introduction. At the forefront of the essay, the introduction must serve to

capture the reader’s attention. This may contain the thesis statement wherein
the problem or topic at hand is presented. This is where the problem is
defined, and the reason why it is significant to a specific group of people (or
the target audience).
2. Problem Paragraph. This paragraph/s will dwell on the elaboration of the
problem, effectively conveying the importance of a solution. You may present
reliable sources and evidence to support your stand.
3. Solution Paragraph. Present and describe a concrete solution to the problem.
Explain how this solution is better than other probable solutions.
4. Conclusion. Conclude the essay with connection between the problem and its
proposed solution.
G. Persuasion
 A persuasive paragraph tries to convince the reader that a particular point
of view is worthy of consideration. It wants you to consider both sides of an
issue, but it reveals a bias in favor of one side over another.
 A persuasive paragraph intends to convince readers to do or believe in
something.
 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
Much likewith or adopt youressays,
problem-solution conviction or opinion.essays seek to urge readers to
persuasion
take a particular action (Forlini, et.al, 1990). The main goal of persuasive essays is to
convince the reader to agree to the writer’s opinion or at the very least, take it into
serious consideration.

According to Forlini (1990), “the purpose of persuasive writing is to obtain the

reader’s agreement on a matter of opinion.”
Example

Some of the transitional expressions used in persuasive paragraphs are the following:

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 GIVE REASONS ANSWER THE DRAW CONCLUSION
OPPOSITION
First (second, third, etc.) Of course Therefore
Another, Next Some may say Thus
Last, finally Nevertheless Hence
Because, since, for On the other hand Consequently
Although