PATTERN OF DEVELOPMENT

The logical arrangement of ideas is known as the pattern of development. The pattern helps you follow ideas easily and
understand a text better.
In determining the pattern of development of ideas in a text, note the signal words used.
1. DEFINITION – heps to clarify and explain concepts by answering the question “What does it mean?”
Signal words: is defined as, as defined, means, refers to, to define, to illustrate
Sample text: Underline the signal words used in the text.
Social engineering is defined as any method which tricks people to share personal information through the use of
technology. The ‘social component’ in this scheme means that there is reliance on various psychological tricks and on the
gullibility of users rather than technical hacking. Social engineering also refers to various malicious acts online, such as
phishing, spamming, and pretexting.
2. EXEMPLIFICATION – used to provide an example of something
Signal words: after all, as an example, consider the following, for example, for instance, in other words, in particular, in
short, namely, put another way, specifically, stated differently, that is, to be specific, to clarify, to illustrate
Sample text: Underline the signal words used in the text.
3. DESCRIPTION (Spatial and Sensory) – provides details on the idea using either sensory or spatial pattern
Sensory pattern – ideas are arranged based on one or all of the five senses
Spatial pattern – arranges ideas by location or physical space
Signal words: above, across, adjacent to, against, along, alongside, amidst, around, away from, back of, behind, below,
beneath, beside, between, beyond, by, down, farther, here, in, inside, in front of, into, near, off, on, on top of, onto,
opposite to, outside, over, throughout, to the right, under
Sample text: Underline the signal words used in the text.
A laptop is one of the greatest inventions of the modern era. It is a lightweight device that can save a vast amount of
information. The screen, touchpad, speakers, keyboard, battery, and AC adapter are the basic parts of a laptop. The most
noticeable part of a laptop is its screen, which is responsible for displaying information. . . . On it are the keys needed to
enter data into the computer. Near the keyboard, you will find a smooth, rectangular surface which acts like a desktop
mouse – this is a touchpad.
4. CHRONOLOGY/PROCEDURE – organizes ideas or events according to time
Signal words: about, after, afterwards, as soon as, at, at this/that point, before, during, eventually, finally, first,
immediately, in the meantime, later, meanwhile, next, next week, presently, prior to, second, soon, then, till, today,
tomorrow, until, when, yesterday
Sample text: Underline the signal words used in the text.
Narration: Ondoy began to develop from an active low pressure area to a tropical cyclone on September 24, 2009. The
following day, PAGASA raised storm signals all over the Philippine archipelago. At that point, signal no. 2 was raised in
Catanduanes and other parts of Luzon. By Saturday morning, reports of flooding started to pour. . .
Process: During flooding, one thing that may probably save your life is an improvised floatation device. You can make
one using your pants. First, knot off the leg holes of your pants. Then, hold open waist and swing the pants around to fill
the legs with air. Promptly . . .
5. Listing – organizes ideas using enumeration; unlike chronological pattern, listing does not require the items to be
sentenced chronologically because it does not have the element of time; basically presents a series of items
Signal words: additionally, again, along with, also, and, and then, another, as well, besides, equally important, further,
furthermore, in addition, in the same way, likewise, moreover, next, together with
Sample text: Underline the signal words used in the text.
Picking the right career is such a daunting task because it pits passion against reality. Would you choose the profession
you love or would you choose a more lucrative profession? . . . On this note, here are some tips to help you choose the
right career. Identify your interest. . . . Try to process as well as your reason for choosing a particular career; you can also
factor in the financial component during this stage. Another thing that you can do is to focus on and learn everything
about your chosen career. . . .
 6. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
– organizes ideas based on how
events, places, people, things and
concepts are similar to or different
from one another. There are two
ways on how ideas can be arranged:
separately, which involves
describing one item first followed by the second item; or side-by-side, which means discussing both items based
on each point of comparison. The sample text compares and contrasts two items side-by-side.
Signal words for Comparing: also, as, both, equally, in a similar fashion, in comparison, in the same way, like, likewise,
similarly, to compare
Signal words for Contrasting: although, and yet, as opposed to, but, conversely, counter to, despite, even so, even though,
in contrast, in spite of, in the meantime, instead, however, nevertheless,
Sample text: Underline the signal words in the text.

7. CLASSIFICATION AND DIVISION – organizes ideas into categories or divisions based on criteria and
standards. This pattern can be used when classifying people, objects, events, things, places and other items. Make
sure to always double check whether each term is undeniably part of a certain category. Avoid oversimplifying
just so you
may be able to
assign
something to a
category, as it
may result in
stereotyping.
Signal words: another, another kind of, classified as, final type, one kind, the first category, the last group, the next
part
Sample text: Underline the signal words in the text.

8. CAUSE AND EFFECT – organizes details based on

the cause, the reason and the result or consequences
of a certain phenomenon. This pattern may discuss
both the causes and effects, the causes only or the
effects only.

Signal words for Causes: as, because (of the fact), being that,
due (to the fact that), for, for the reason that, in that, in view of (the fact), inasmuch as, one reason, owing to (the fact),
seeing that, since
Signal words for Effects:
accordingly, as a
consequence, as a result
(of this), because (of
this),
consequently, for this
reason, hence, in
consequence, so, so much
(so) that, so that,
therefore, thus
Sample text: Underline
the signal words used in the text.
 9. PROBLEM – SOLUTION – organizes ideas into problems and proposed solutions. The problem section usually
includes the what, who, when, where, why and how of the problem. The other part then presents the major effects
of the problem and the possible solutions to address it, as well as the steps in implementing the solution.
Signal words: but, first, second, nonetheless, one reason for the, one solution is, one way is, the problem, the solution
Sample text: Underline the signal words used in the text.

10. PERSUASION
– organizes ideas
to show a set of
evidence leads
to a logical
conclusion or argument. Specifically, this pattern presents the issue, the position and the supporting evidence that
supports the position.
Signal words for Emphasizing a point: again, for this reason, in fact, in that case, indeed, to emphasize, to repeat, truly,
with this in mind
Signal words for Concluding and Summarizing: accordingly, all in all, as a result, as I have said, consequently, due to,
finally, in any event, in brief, in conclusion, in short, in summary, inevitably, on the whole, since, in essence, in a nutshell,
therefore, thus, to sum up
Signal words for Conceding a Point: admittedly, assuredly, certainly, granted, it is true that, needless to say, no doubt,
obviously, of course, to be sure, true, undoubtedly, unquestionably
Sample text

Checking for
Understanding
Match the pattern of development in column A to the transitional device in column B. Write only the letter of your choice
in the space provided.
A _____10. Exemplification
_____1. Cause and effect B
_____2. Spatial a. arguably
_____3. Chronology b. as defined
_____4. Classification c. away from
_____5. Comparison d. by
_____6. Contrast e. consequently
_____7. Definition f. even though
_____8. Persuasion g. in a similar fashion
_____9. Problem – solution h. meanwhile
i. the next category j. to illustrate
II. Read the following statements carefully. Choose one pattern from the box that matches the thesis statement. You may
choose one pattern more than once.

Cause and effect description definition persuasion classification/division

Comparison and contrast narration/time order problem-solution exemplification/classification
____________1. Although Instagram and Twitter have significant similarities, they have striking differences.
____________2. Freedom is a concept that needs to be understood.
____________3. Juvenile delinquency is a social issue that requires urgent attention.
____________4. In the field of law, there are several subspecialties which you can focus on.
____________5. Major events happened that led to the defeat of Japan during World War II.
____________6. Teeth bleaching can be done in five simple steps.
____________7. All provincial buses should not be allowed to pass through EDSA.
____________8. iPhone 6 has many features that make it stand out in the market.
____________9. There are many reasons why unemployment continues to increase.
____________10. Drinking cough syrup may lead to various side effects.