Idea development is essential in writing.

This is done by Effect: so, thus, hence, then, therefore, as a result, in effect,
organizing ideas in a logical and clear manner that suits the as consequence, consequently, leads to, one of the effects is,
writer’s purpose. To achieve this, it is necessary to use and that is why
appropriate grammatical signals or expressions.

Grammatical signals are writing devices such as

transitional devices, connectors, determiners, and repetitions
that are used to maintain text coherence. Coherence
Idea development is essential in writing. This is done by
establishes a logical connection between ideas in sentences
organizing ideas in a logical and clear manner that suits the
and paragraphs. These ideas can be developed through
writer’s purpose. To achieve this, it is necessary to use
different patterns depending on
appropriate grammatical signals or expressions.
the writer’s purpose.
Grammatical signals are writing devices such as
Pattern of idea development refers to the structure of transitional devices, connectors, determiners, and repetitions
writing on how the ideas are being presented. Five of the that are used to maintain text coherence. Coherence
commonly used patterns of idea development are discussed in establishes a logical connection between ideas in sentences
this module. These are the general to particular, cause and and paragraphs. These ideas can be developed through
effect, claim-counterclaim, problem-solution, and persuasion. different patterns depending on
Let us explore them and their appropriate grammatical
the writer’s purpose.
signals.
Pattern of idea development refers to the structure of
A. General to Particular
writing on how the ideas are being presented. Five of the
This pattern of idea development discusses the general topic commonly used patterns of idea development are discussed in
by presenting specific details that support the topic. The writer this module. These are the general to particular, cause and
starts with the general idea stated in the topic sentence. Then, effect, claim-counterclaim, problem-solution, and persuasion.
it is elaborated and explained through specific details and Let us explore them and their appropriate grammatical
examples. In other words, general to particular pattern is a signals.
deductive method of organization.
A. General to Particular
Example:
This pattern of idea development discusses the general topic
Clouds can be classified into three major groups. by presenting specific details that support the topic. The writer
High clouds are a group of clouds that are 5-13 km. starts with the general idea stated in the topic sentence. Then,
away from the Earth’s surface. Examples of these it is elaborated and explained through specific details and
clouds are known as Cirrus, Cirrostratus, and examples. In other words, general to particular pattern is a
Cirrocumulus. Middle clouds are another group of deductive method of organization.
clouds that are 2-7 km. away from the Earth’s
surface. Examples of middle clouds are Altocumulus Example:
and Altostratus. Low clouds are the last group of
clouds. They are 2 km. away from the Earth’s Clouds can be classified into three major groups.
surface. Specifically, these clouds are the Stratus, High clouds are a group of clouds that are 5-13 km.
Stratocumulus, and Nimbostratus. With these being away from the Earth’s surface. Examples of these
said, these clouds are grouped according to their clouds are known as Cirrus, Cirrostratus, and
distance from the Earth’s surface. Cirrocumulus. Middle clouds are another group of
clouds that are 2-7 km. away from the Earth’s
B. Cause and Effect surface. Examples of middle clouds are Altocumulus
and Altostratus. Low clouds are the last group of
This pattern of idea development explains the causes or the clouds. They are 2 km. away from the Earth’s
effects of something. When a writer presents reasons, he or surface. Specifically, these clouds are the Stratus,
she is explaining the causes. When a writer explains the Stratocumulus, and Nimbostratus. With these being
results, he or she is explaining the effects. said, these clouds are grouped according to their
distance from the Earth’s surface.
Example:
B. Cause and Effect
Regular exercise brings many benefits to your
health. First, it improves blood circulation and can This pattern of idea development explains the causes or the
result to a strong heart. Because of these, it effects of something. When a writer presents reasons, he or
reduces the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, she is explaining the causes. When a writer explains the
and diabetes. When you exercise, your bones and results, he or she is explaining the effects.
muscles will be strengthened which can slow down
the loss of bone density that comes when you age. Example:
As a result, it can help you maintain or increase
your muscle mass and strength. Also, regular Regular exercise brings many benefits to your
exercise improves your mental health and mood. health. First, it improves blood circulation and can
During an exercise, your body releases chemicals result to a strong heart. Because of these, it
that can improve your mood and make you feel reduces the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol,
more relaxed. As an effect, it can help you deal with and diabetes. When you exercise, your bones and
stress and reduce your risk of depression. These are muscles will be strengthened which can slow down
the benefits that you get when you exercise. the loss of bone density that comes when you age.
The paragraph above uses a general to particular pattern of As a result, it can help you maintain or increase
idea development. The general idea is expressed in the first your muscle mass and strength. Also, regular
sentence which is ‘Clouds are classified into three major exercise improves your mental health and mood.
During an exercise, your body releases chemicals
groups.’ Then, the succeeding sentences are the specific
that can improve your mood and make you feel
details explaining the general idea. To state these specific
more relaxed. As an effect, it can help you deal with
details, grammatical signals are used such as ‘a’, ‘another’, stress and reduce your risk of depression. These are
and ‘last’ to present the different major groups of clouds. The the benefits that you get when you exercise.
expression ‘examples of these’ and the word ‘specifically,’ are The paragraph above uses a general to particular pattern of
used to present the specific examples of a group of clouds. idea development. The general idea is expressed in the first
Also, the phrase ‘middle clouds’ is repeated These are the sentence which is ‘Clouds are classified into three major
other grammatical signals that can be used for cause and groups.’ Then, the succeeding sentences are the specific
pattern of idea development: details explaining the general idea. To state these specific
details, grammatical signals are used such as ‘a’, ‘another’,
Cause: if, for, since, due to, because, owing to, because of,
and ‘last’ to present the different major groups of clouds. The
one cause, and resulting from
expression ‘examples of these’ and the word ‘specifically,’ are
used to present the specific examples of a group of clouds.
Also, the phrase ‘middle clouds’ is repeated These are the
other grammatical signals that can be used for cause and 4. Because of the heavy rain, the streets
pattern of idea development:
were flooded.
Cause: if, for, since, due to, because, owing to, because of, 5. The lack of exercise leads to a
one cause, and resulting from sedentary lifestyle.
Effect: so, thus, hence, then, therefore, as a result, in effect,
as consequence, consequently, leads to, one of the effects is,
and that is why
Test II. Write your own idea/sentence using the
following grammatical signals of pattern of idea
development.

1. Due to
Test I. Underline the grammatical signal in the 2. In addition
sentence. Identify whether the grammatical signal 3. Because
belongs to the general to specific or cause and effect 4. That is why
pattern of idea development. Write your answer on the 5. On the other hand.
space provided.
1. While many fruits are beneficial for Test I. Underline the grammatical signal in the
health, specifically oranges are a great sentence. Identify whether the grammatical signal
source of Vitamin C." belongs to the general to specific or cause and effect
2. Animals play a key role in nature, for pattern of idea development. Write your answer on the
example, bees contribute to the space provided.
pollination of plants that are essential in
food production. 1. While many fruits are beneficial for
3. The car wouldn't start because the health, specifically oranges are a great
battery was dead. source of Vitamin C."
4. Because of the heavy rain, the streets 2. Animals play a key role in nature, for
were flooded. example, bees contribute to the
5. The lack of exercise leads to a pollination of plants that are essential in
sedentary lifestyle. food production.
3. The car wouldn't start because the
battery was dead.
Test II. Write your own idea/sentence using the 4. Because of the heavy rain, the streets
following grammatical signals of pattern of idea were flooded.
development. 5. The lack of exercise leads to a
sedentary lifestyle.

1. Due to
2. In addition Test II. Write your own idea/sentence using the
3. Because following grammatical signals of pattern of idea
4. That is why development.
5. On the other hand. 1. Due to
2. In addition
3. Because
4. That is why
5. On the other hand.

Test I. Underline the grammatical signal in the

sentence. Identify whether the grammatical signal
belongs to the general to specific or cause and effect
pattern of idea development. Write your answer on the
space provided.
1. While many fruits are beneficial for Test I. Underline the grammatical signal in the
health, specifically oranges are a great sentence. Identify whether the grammatical signal
source of Vitamin C." belongs to the general to specific or cause and effect
2. Animals play a key role in nature, for pattern of idea development. Write your answer on the
example, bees contribute to the space provided.
pollination of plants that are essential in
food production. 6. While many fruits are beneficial for
3. The car wouldn't start because the health, specifically oranges are a great
battery was dead. source of Vitamin C."
7. Animals play a key role in nature, for
example, bees contribute to the
 pollination of plants that are essential in
food production.
8. The car wouldn't start because the
battery was dead.
9. Because of the heavy rain, the streets
were flooded.
10. The lack of exercise leads to a
sedentary lifestyle.

Test II. Write your own idea/sentence using the

following grammatical signals of pattern of idea
development.

6. Due to
7. In addition
8. Because
9. That is why
10. On the other hand.