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3 - Technical - Methods of Development

This document discusses various methods of paragraph development for technical writing, including chronological, sequential, spatial, compare/contrast, advantages/disadvantages, cause/effect, problem/solution, and topical patterns. It provides examples and explanations of each pattern type. The chronological pattern organizes information by time or progression. The sequential pattern arranges information in a step-by-step process. The spatial pattern organizes content by physical location. The compare/contrast and advantages/disadvantages patterns examine similarities and differences between topics. The cause/effect pattern shows relationships between variables. The problem/solution pattern establishes a problem and proposes a solution. The topical pattern categorizes information by subtopics or types within a larger

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243 views29 pages

3 - Technical - Methods of Development

This document discusses various methods of paragraph development for technical writing, including chronological, sequential, spatial, compare/contrast, advantages/disadvantages, cause/effect, problem/solution, and topical patterns. It provides examples and explanations of each pattern type. The chronological pattern organizes information by time or progression. The sequential pattern arranges information in a step-by-step process. The spatial pattern organizes content by physical location. The compare/contrast and advantages/disadvantages patterns examine similarities and differences between topics. The cause/effect pattern shows relationships between variables. The problem/solution pattern establishes a problem and proposes a solution. The topical pattern categorizes information by subtopics or types within a larger

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© © All Rights Reserved
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TECHNICAL WRITING

Gladys Rose A. de Leon – Bandril


METHODS OF PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT

OF TECHNICAL WRITING

• Objectives
• 1. Apply development patterns appropriately and
accurately in technical reports
• 2. Observe consistency in a creative writing process
• 3. Describe concepts objectively.
METHODS OF PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT

OF TECHNICAL WRITING

• 1. Chronological order or development or pattern


• 2. Sequential
• 3. Spatial
• 4. Compare and contrast
METHODS OF PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT

OF TECHNICAL WRITING

• 5. Advantages and disadvantages


• 6. Cause and effect
• 7. Problem – solutions
• 8. Topical – listing, exemplification, classification and
division
METHODS OF TECHNICAL WRITING

• A chronological pattern of organization arranges


information according to a progression of time, either
forward or backward.
• Forward or backward
• Past-Present-Future
• Before – during – after
METHODS OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Chronological Pattern Example
• I. 1895 - 1920
• 1. Significant Event # 1
• 2. Significant Event # 2
• II. 1920 - 1945
• 3. Significant Event # 1
• 4. Significant Event # 2
• III. 1945 - 1970
• 5. Significant Event # 1
• 6. Significant Event # 2
• IV. 1970 - 1995
• 7. Significant Event # 1
• 8. Significant Event # 2
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING

A sequential pattern of organization is similar to a chronological pattern,


but arranges information according to a step-by-step sequence that
describes a particular process.

When one wishes to describe a process that follows a specific series of


steps in a particular order, then, a sequential pattern works well.
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Sequential Pattern Example
I. Step One: Harvest the grapes
1. Harvesting procedure number one
2. Harvesting procedure number two
II. Step Two: Prepare the grapes
3. Preparation procedure number one
4. Preparation procedure number two
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Sequential Pattern Example
III. Step Three: Ferment the grapes
5. Fermenting procedure number one
6. Fermenting procedure number two
IV. Step Four: Press the grapes
7. Pressing procedure number one
8. Pressing procedure number two
V. Step Five: Age the wine
1. Aging procedure number one
2. Aging procedure number two
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
A spatial pattern of organization arranges information according to how
things fit together in physical space; i.e., where one thing exists in relation
to another.

This pattern works well when a writer wishes to create a mental picture of
something which has various parts distinguished by physical location or
geography.
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Spatial Pattern Example

• I. ST Building
1. Quadrangle

2. San Marcelino Street

• II. SV Building
3. Offices

4. Museum

• III. OZ Building
5. Chemical Laboratory
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
A compare and contrast pattern arranges information according to how
two or more things are similar to or different from one another (or both).

This is an effective pattern to use when the reader can better understand
one subject when it is described in relation to another.

If the reader is familiar with one topic, the writer can compare or contrast
it with another topic to shed insight on it.
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Compare and Contrast Pattern Example One

• I. Cost of Tuition
1. Two-year

2. Four-year

• II. Quality of Education


1. Two-year

2. Four-year

• III. Educational Programs


3. Two-year

4. Four-year
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Advantages-Disadvantages Patterns
This pattern organizes information about a topic by dividing it up into its
"good" and "bad" parts, or pro's and con's. It is effective to use when a
writer wishes to objectively discuss both sides of an issue without taking a
persuasive stance.

This allows the reader to weigh both sides of an issue. As with the
compare-contrast pattern, there are a number of possible variations to an
advantages-disadvantages pattern. The simplest form of this pattern is
shown below.
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Advantages and Disadvantages Example
Topic: Two-year college education
I. Advantages
1. Cost
2. Accessibility
II. Disadvantages
3. Number of educational programs
4. Quality of instruction
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Cause-Effect Patterns
This pattern is used to show the different causes and effects of various
conditions.

This pattern is particularly effective when writing a persuasive document


in which the writer advocates some action to solve a problem, because it
demonstrates important relationships between variables.

There are two major variations to this pattern; (a) dividing the outline into
two major sections comprised of causes and effects; or (b) dividing the
outline according to the different causes, with the effects of each cause
contained within the larger "causes" section
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Cause-Effect Patterns

There are two major variations to this pattern;


(a) dividing the outline into two major sections comprised of causes and
effects;

(b) dividing the outline according to the different causes, with the effects
of each cause contained within the larger "causes" section
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Cause and Effect Pattern Example One (a)
I. Causes of Conflict Escalation
1. Expanding the issues
2. Personal attacks
II. Effects of these causes
3. Lose focus on original issue
4. Cycle of defensive responses
5. Win-Lose orientation
6. Negative emotions
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Cause and Effect Pattern Example Two (b)
I. Cause: Expanding the issues
1. Effect: Lose focus on original issues
2. Effect: Cycle of defensive responses
II. Cause: Personal attacks
3. Effect: Negative emotions
4. Effect: Win-Lose orientation
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Problem-Solution Patterns
A problem-solution pattern divides information into two main sections,
one that describes a problem and one that describes a solution.

This pattern is typically used in persuasive writing, where the writer's


general purpose is to convince the reader to support a certain course of
action.

The pattern is designed to compel the reader to make some kind of change
in opinion or behavior by establishing that a problem exists, then
providing a solution.
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Problem-Solution Example
I. Problem: Motorized Transportation
1. Increasing traffic congestion
2. Increasing pollution
3. Increasing "road rage" from traffic-related stress
II. Solution: Riding Bicycles
4. Bike riding reduces the number of motorized vehicles in use
5. Bike riding is not a source of pollution
6. Bike riding has physical and psychological health benefits
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Topical Pattern (exemplification/ listing/classification/division)
This pattern is the most commonly used format, and will typically work
when the other patterns do not.

A topical pattern arranges information according to different sub-topics


within a larger topic, or the "types" of things that fall within a larger
category. Using this pattern, each "type" represents a main section of
information.
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Topical Pattern Example One / by color
I. Red Wines
A. European
1. Bordeaux
2. Burgundy
3. Chianti
B. Californian
4. Cabernet Sauvignon
5. Pinot Noir
6. Zinfandel
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Topical Pattern Example One / by color
II. White Wines
A. European
7. Bordeaux
8. Burgundy
9. Mosel
B. Californian
10.Sauvignon Blanc
11.Chardonnay
12.Riesling
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Topical Pattern Example One / by color
II. White Wines
A. European
7. Bordeaux
8. Burgundy
9. Mosel
B. Californian
10.Sauvignon Blanc
11.Chardonnay
12.Riesling
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
TopicTopical Pattern Example Two/ by region
I. European Wines
Red
1. ___
2. ___
3. ___
White
1. ___
2. ___
3. ___
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
TopicTopical Pattern Example Two/ by region
II. Californian Wines
Red
4. ___
5. ___
6. ___
White
1. ___
2. ___
3. ____
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Exemplification

An exemplification essay is like a more involved version


of an argumentative essay. You’re trying to prove a point,
but you must use very specific examples. Facts and
numbers will get you far, yes. But you have to effectively
incorporate them into your writing.
PRINCIPLES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
Exemplification

Here are sample topics


 Are classes separated by gender more conducive to learning?
 Is a college degree necessary in today’s society?
 Should healthcare be free for everyone?
 Should drugs be decriminalized

***end***

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