PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT IN WRITING

1. NARRATION
Developing one’s reading and writing skills is not easy. There are learners who can read but are not able
to express themselves in writing well. You have a lot of ideas in mind but sometimes you may find it hard to
organize these ideas coherently, however, the good thing is that there are many ways on how you can write
effectively.
A narrative paragraph is the most difficult to write compared to the other types of paragraph. A narration
is also spiced up with picture words so that it will not only appeal to the emotion of the reader but also to his
intellect. In here, events must be arranged according to the order of time or chronological order. Transitional
devices such as first, second, next, then, finally, etc. are used.

Key points when writing using narration method:

 Know what to write. (Be sure that you know what information you need to give to the reader.)
 Develop a strong topic sentence. (Using strong topic sentence will make you effective in giving a
point.)
 Choose your materials. (These materials are the events that you should consider in your narration.
Your choice depends on your purpose in writing.)
 Organize the events. (The readers should be able to clearly picture in their minds the sequence of
events as they happen. You should show the beginning, middle and ending of your narrative.)
 Consider your audience. (Do you think your audience need more information to understand the part of
the story? Focus on their need.)
 Use dialogue. (Dialogue will result to a more exciting narrative and a more sustained attention and
interest of the audience.)
 Use figurative language. (Figures of speech give color to writing. This will give your narration more
depth and result to reader’s satisfaction.)
 Use narrative details. (The use of detailed action or pictures enable the readers to grasp and see what is
happening in the narration.)

Writing a paragraph involves deep understanding of how one can achieve well-focused and unified ideas
in a composition. For example, when students are asked to come up with a summary of a story, they tend to
chop parts of the story and put it in their summary. If that is so, it leads to create unrelated details that do not
contribute in the oneness and clarity of one’s summary.
It is important to use strategies developing ideas using a particular pattern. One of these is through
narration. A narrative text contains the plot which gives direction in making a story.
In developing narration, sequential presentation of events plays an important role. Signal words help to
create unified thought and to show the transition of events to the next. This leads us to focus on the use of the
action words in the story. It also helps to move the story and makes the story interesting.
The chronological ordering of events helps to show the reader how the story moves. Most of the
common transitional words are first, next, then, after and suddenly. Moreover, it is also important to give
specific details in pointing out the direction of the story.

EXAMPLE:
At first, I was hesitant to come but my mother told me that I would find new
friends in Masayahin Senior High School. I would never forget the day I first
entered this school, I felt so shy and nervous. I did not know anyone for I was a
new Grade 11 student. When I entered my first class
looking for a chair to sit in, a boy sitting beside the window sill asked me, “Are you
new in this school?” and I answered shyly, “Yes.” Then, he offered me the vacant
seat beside him. He was Jasper, an old student in that school. We got along with
each other well in our class. We worked on our assignments and school projects. ,
he slept in our house doing our research work. After a year, we both realized that
in many ways we had a lot of similarities in terms of interests in life. In the end,
we became best of friends.

2. DESCRIPTION
People love to read and listen to story and the use of appropriate transitional devices in telling stories are
noteworthy. Likewise, you have previously learned that in writing a narrative, the plot gives direction in making
the story. However, it is not only the plot that will help you to develop your writing skills. The use of
description is also important to help you create a vivid picture of what you are trying to express through written
text.
 It is the most commonly used method of writing a paragraph. Its purpose is to present an image or a
picture. In this method, the writer should be able to draw things clearly in the minds of the readers by the use of
adjectives, so that readers will be able to imagine what the writer has seen, felt or experienced. In order to be
effective, you should have an accurate choice of words and logical order of details.

Key points when writing using description method:

 Be alert with your senses. (Focus and commit yourself on the particular thing, place, person, or other
objects for you to describe it accurately and clearly.)
 Decide which single impression you will emphasize. (If you want to emphasize tidiness, peace,
disorder, confusion, excitement – then you should be clear in emphasizing it to give the readers a clear
picture of what you want to impart to them.)
 Select details that will help convey the desired description.
 Don’t catalog. Remember that a list is not a description. (A catalog is a book that lists many things. You
should still have a storyline when giving descriptions about your subject.)5. Put things first. The first
detail observed is the most striking or unusual one. Arrange the details from the most prominent to the
least ones. Select the best details and drop the unpleasant ones.)
 Be brief but accurate. (Be straightforward or direct to the point.)
 Use vivid, specific words. (Avoid using general words like nice, fine and lovely.)
 Use transitional devices as guideposts. (Use phrases such as like on the right, just beyond, in the
distance.

According to Dayagbil & et al, 2016, the use of description plays an important role to explain the nature of
people, places and things. A series of detailed observation about the subject can help you create a good
descriptive paragraph. This involves the use of adjectives and adverbs in the paragraph.
The kind of words we used to describe how your subject looks, sounds, feels, smells or even tastes like are
called sensory languages. It also concerns how you will arrange the details to provide an image of the scene, the
person or the object you are trying to describe in your text.

There are two types of description

1. Objective description - where the writer presents impartial and actual picture of the subject without
biases and excluding personal impression of the subject just like when you give your description of an
experiment in class.
2. Subjective description, where the writer gives personal impression of what is observed. This is often
used in making fiction stories. For instance, when you are asked to write about a place you visit during
summer vacation, you tend to give your personal judgment of how you experience the place.

EXAMPLE:
I. Read the paragraphs below. Tell whether the description is subjective description or objective.

 Sampaloc Lake is an inactive volcanic maar on the island of Luzon, the Philippines. It is the largest of
the Seven Lakes of San Pablo, Laguna. Nearly half of the lake's depth has a shallow depression at the
bottom, indicating its volcanic origin. It is approximately 104 hectares and 3.5 kilometer boardwalk. The
lake is behind San Pablo City Capitol and at the foot of the Doña Leonila Park.
 Sampaloc Lake is one of the best tourist spots in San Pablo. It is where you can bring your friends and
loved ones for picnic and bonding. Most of San Pableños jog around the lake and do ride bicycles not
only to have morning good exercise but also have fresh air. You can witness the beauty of nature for it is
surrounded with mountains.

3. DEFINITION
Previously, you have learned the first two patterns of development: narration and description. The
descriptive text portrays events and brings a scene or object to life in the imagination of the reader. Meanwhile,
a narrative text tells story or events in chronological order. Now, let’s move on to another pattern which is
called definition.
This gives a satisfactory explanation of the meaning of a word and may point out the special limitations of
its meaning. This is very important especially in doing scientific research or preparing term papers.
- It helps to clarify and explain concepts by answering the question “what does it mean?” This pattern
explains the information through the use of illustrations, examples, and descriptions.
- SIGNAL WORDS: is defined as, as defined, means, refers to, to define, to illustrate.

SAMPLE 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.

Definitions provide concise but exact meanings of unfamiliar words and explain special meanings for
familiar words. They are often used to explain technical words and concepts. What to define always depends
on the needs of the reader and the purpose of communication.
It can be done in either of the two distinct methods of definition.
 Informal definition as either denotation or connotation.
 Denotation - is the dictionary meaning of the word.
For example: Rose is a family of prickly shrub with pinnate leaves and showy flowers.

 Connotation - is the secondary meaning of a word and not necessarily included in the dictionary.
Rather it is how a writer understands a word based on their own personal or consensual experiences.
For example: A dozen of pink roses is usually given to their beloved ones. Instead of literally referring to
flowers, love and romance are connoted.

 Formal definition - consists of three principal parts: the species (WORD) n + Genus (CLASS) +
Differentiae.
The WORD is the name of the object, process, or concept defined. This is usually followed by “is” and “are”
and the CLASS or general group to which the objects belong.
For example: Skimming (species) is a reading technique (class) of allowing the eyes to travel over a page
very quickly, stopping only here and there to gain an idea (differentiae).

4. CLASSIFICATION/EXEMPLIFICATION
Now, you will familiarize yourself with two of the most common patterns of paragraph development
– exemplification and classification.
Classification is almost any act of noting relationships. It is the act of locating a specimen of all
different kinds of objects which possess a given characteristic. It is the systematic arrangement of things that
are related and is based on principles or basis in order to come up with a well-organized data.
As you unravel the unique patterns of development in writing exemplification and classification
paragraphs and how to incorporate them in your own writing, you must first begin to learn how to identify
the basic parts of these patterns – topic sentence, classifications (types, categories), examples (illustrations)
and transitional expressions.
These can be used in writing other papers with different purposes other than telling a story, describing
something or defining a concept.

Key points in giving classification:

1. Classification places related items into categories or groups
2. Only plural subjects can be classified. A singular subject is partitioned and not classified.
3. The categories should be coordinated, parallel and must be in the same rank in grammatical form and
content.
4. The categories must not overlap. An item can have a place in only one category.

Exemplification (or illustration) - is the most common and effective pattern to explain an idea or point. In
developing this kind of paragraph, the writer develops a general statement –the topic sentence, with one or more
examples to support it. It presents the general statement and then provides specific and concrete examples to
expound on the main idea.

Here are some transitional expressions in writing effective exemplification paragraphs: for instance,
namely, to be specify, to clarify, to illustrate, for example, in short, as an example. 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:
while the internet offers so many benefits to man, it also has its downsides. One of these is phishing, which
refers to the act of obtaining personal information, such as passwords and credit card details, through
 online means. In other words, phishing is a form of cybercrime. As an example, let us consider the case of
Mr. X. He received
an email stating that his Gmail account has been compromised and that he needed to click a link to update
personal information. If he clicks on the link, his personal information will be illegally acquired by
cybercriminals.

On the other hand, classification is used when a writer needs to sort out or arrange subjects to groups or
categories based on their common and shared characteristics.
Here are some transitional expressions in writing effective classification paragraphs: classified as, one
kind, the last group, another kind, another, final type, the first category, are categorized as, the next part.

Remember that you can use both exemplification and classification in developing a paragraph by simply
identifying categories on a particular subject and providing examples or illustration to explain and clarify
meaning.

5. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST

Sometimes, you’ll be asked by your teachers to perform tasks which would require you to make
intelligent choices. School writing activities may require you to do comparison and contrast, in which you focus
on similarities and differences of ideas. By assigning you such writing activities, you are encouraged to make
connections between text and ideas and engage you in critical thinking.
Comparison means explaining how a thing is similar to another; contrast explains what a thing is not
like. This type of development in writing shows how a person, animal or thing resembles or differs from
something else.

Key points in making an effective comparison:

1. Things compared should belong to the same class.
Example: “Students who graduated from urban elementary schools are more technologically-minded than
students who graduated from rural elementary schools.” (The reason is obvious; they cannot be compared
because they do not fall under the same class.)
2. Comparison should be based on the same set of measurement – both must
be measured by the same yardstick.
Example: Earthquakes often occur in the Philippines, but they are not so destructive as Japan. (Correct:
Earthquakes that occur in the Philippines are not as destructive as those that occur in Japan.)
3. Dangling comparison should be avoided. The two things being compared should be stated in a sentence.
Example: Reading is easier. (Correct: Reading is easier than writing.)
4. Use the comparative degree in comparing two persons, places or things.
Example: Of the two masterpieces, I like this best. (Correct: Of the two masterpieces, I like this better.)
5. The superlative is used for emphasis only when no comparison is intended.
Example: This is the most critical moment! You are the luckiest boy in town.

Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar while contrast in writing discusses elements
or ideas that are different. A compare-and-contrast essay, then analyzes two subjects comparing them,
contrasting them, or both. However, its purpose is not to simply state the obvious but rather to illustrate subtle
differences or unexpected similarities between two subjects.
As a writer, you should help the readers see how these two ideas are similar or different by showing
them its advantages and disadvantages so they are able to weigh the pros and cons before they make judgment
or decision. Take a look at this example.

There are two common ways to organize comparison/contrast paragraph or essay. The Block Method is
used to compare and contrast two subjects one at a time. You may begin by saying everything you have to say
about the first subject you are discussing then move on and write everything about your second subject. If you
are writing a short paragraph or essay, you might be able to fit all of your points about each item. However, if
you would want to address one subject at a time, you may use Point-by-point comparison.
Some cohesive devices you can use in showing similarities are likewise, similar to, same with, like, in
the same manner. To show contrast, cue words such as: on the other hand, however, while, different with, in
contrast and the like.

6. CAUSE AND EFFECT

Reasons and results are two things that interest readers. Thus, it is important for writers like you to learn
how paragraphs of this kind should be developed.

In the cause-and-effect method of paragraph development, the writer explains how certain causes
produce results or effects. (It’s like telling various actions and its consequences). This method is suitable for
argumentation, exposition (description or explanation of an idea) and narration. A writer may start from the
cause to the effect or vice versa.

I. Read the passage carefully. Then, complete the diagram below.

Discoveries and invention of devices are always welcome until we, humans, find a way to abuse its benefits and
be adversely affected by it. This was the case when Wilhelm Roentgen discovered x-ray and within five years,
the British Army was using a mobile x-ray unit to locate bullets and shrapnel in wounded soldiers in the Sudan.
TV was also invented with positive thoughts in mind – there would be no national borders, education and
communication would be worldwide, etc. However, we are now trying to overcome its physiological and
psychological adverse effects on human beings.

Cause and Effect is a text development pattern which explains why something happens. It also states what
results a particular event produces. It usually gives a statement emphasizing the cause and another emphasizing
the effect.

The following guide questions can be used for cause-effect development:

•Why did it happen?
•What caused it?
•What does it cause?
•What are its effects?
•How is it related to something else?

Further, in developing your texts you can use signal words like as a consequence of, as a result of, because,
because of, now that and since to express cause while accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, and this
resulted in to signify effects.

7. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION

With your previous learning about cause-and-effect pattern of development, you can readily write a full-
blown essay addressing any issue that interests you. After answering the “why” and the “what happened”, we
now move on to the “how” – how will we do things and how can we resolve issues or concerns around us. This
time, you will apply the problem-solution pattern of development.

In here, an information is presented as a problem or an issue and a solution that can be done to solve the
issue. This is not similar to cause and effect because in cause and effect, it does not present a solution to the
problem; rather it presents the effects of a problem.
8. PERSUASION

By this time, you should have learned seven different patterns of paragraph development. The latest of
which is the problem-solution text, which focuses on either a problem or solution in a particular area or
situation. It a type of text expressed as a dilemma or concerning issue (problem) and something that was, can
be, or should be done to remedy this issue (solution or attempted solution). The last pattern of paragraph
development focuses on how you can state details through presenting your views and encouraging your target
readers to accept your argument.

Persuasive text - can be in the form of an argument, discussion, exposition, review or even an advertisement. In
developing your own persuasive text, a writer must first state the issue. This will serve as a background
information about the topic. Then, it should be followed by a clear, strong and specific argument.

An argument is one’s claim or position that can either support or reject the issue previously stated.
Arguments shall be supported with well-researched evidence, which will give details on how and why it
supports the argument. Evidences can be factual, logical, statistical or anecdotal in nature. It can also explain
counter- arguments not because the writer wants to prove which claims are wrong or right but to enlighten the
readers about other positions.

Lastly, a conclusion restating the main argument of the text will be the end of the text. This will be your
final statement to persuade your readers.
Some guide questions in constructing a persuasive text include:
 What is the issue?
 What is your position or opinion?
 What is the opposing position/opinion?
 What are some reasons for your position/opinion?
 What are some cases or examples that support this?