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Modes of Development:: The Patterns of Argumentation

The document discusses different modes of argumentation that authors can use to construct arguments, including narration, description, process analysis, exemplification, comparison and contrast, classification and division, definition, and cause and effect. It notes that the modes of development an author chooses depend on their purpose and must support the overall thesis. Understanding these building blocks is important for analyzing arguments and constructing valid arguments.

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MrsBrooks1
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109 views

Modes of Development:: The Patterns of Argumentation

The document discusses different modes of argumentation that authors can use to construct arguments, including narration, description, process analysis, exemplification, comparison and contrast, classification and division, definition, and cause and effect. It notes that the modes of development an author chooses depend on their purpose and must support the overall thesis. Understanding these building blocks is important for analyzing arguments and constructing valid arguments.

Uploaded by

MrsBrooks1
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Modes of Development:

The Patterns of Argumentation


Modes of Development include a variety of logical
ways to organize an entire text, sections of a
text, or individual paragraphs

The modes of development that an author employs


depend on the author’s purpose – they are the
building blocks that an author uses to construct
an argument – therefore, every mode of
development used must support the author’s
THESIS

It is important to understand the implications of


these building blocks when analyzing the validity
of someone’s argument and when constructing
your own valid arguments
The Primary Modes of Development:
 Narration *None of these modes
 Description are mutually exclusive!
 Process Analysis
 Exemplification For example: their
could be both
 Comparison and
description and cause
Contrast and effect within an
 Classification and author’s section of
Division narration (or any
 Definition combination of
 Cause and Effect modes)
Narration
 A retelling of events based on personal
experience, observation, or reading
 Usually in chronological order
 Often used at the beginning of an

argument to introduce the topic and lead


up to a thesis statement
Description
 Because it is often used to create vivid
sensory imagery, it often works closely
with narration

 Description, through its imagery, can be


a strong tool of persuasion – especially
in terms of pathos

 Can be used to set the mood or tone


Process Analysis
 Is instructional in its nature, it:
explains how something works,
or how to do something,
or how something was done.
 Process Analysis must clearly explain a

sequence of steps, stages, or phases of


the process
Exemplification
 Provides a series of : facts or specific
instances
 How does exemplification persuade?

 by transforming general ideas into


concrete ones
 it appeals to logos, specifically
inductive reasoning specific examples
lead to a general conclusion
Comparison and Contrast
 This is the same as: juxtaposition
 Used to analyze similarities and

differences
 How does it persuade?

by leading the reader to discover the


same insights that the author has in
mind
 Comparison and Contrast can be organized in
two ways:
1) Subject-by-subject
Ex. Discuss candidate A’s education, foreign,
and domestic policies, then discuss candidate
B’s education, foreign, and domestic policies
2) Point-by-point
Ex. Discuss candidate A’s education policy, then
candidate B’s education policy. Now switch to
candidate A’s foreign policy, then to candidate
B’s foreign policy, etc.
Classification and Division
 Sorting of ideas into major categories

 Is the distinctive way an author breaks down


a larger concept into parts

 How does this persuade?


 by appealing to logos – convincing the
audience that certain ideas logically go
together
Definition
 If an term, concept, or idea has the possibility
of meaning different things to different
people, the author must set up her argument
with a clear definition of what they mean by
the term.
Examples: Patriotism, Success, Happiness, etc.
 Ensures that the writer and her/his audience

is on the same page, speaking the same


language  this is essential to constructing
an air-tight argument (one that doesn’t leave
room for objections)
Cause and Effect
 Analyzes causes that lead to a certain effect,
or
 the effects that result from a cause

 It is essential not to confuse effects for causes


and causes for effects!

How does this persuade?


by appealing to logos, proving how/why
something happened

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