Patterns of Development: Description & Definition

• Patterns of development in writing is a strategy employed by writers when developing ideas.
• It distinguishes between and among patterns of development in writing across disciplines.

Description

• Description is a representation of something or someone in words.
• It creates a clear picture of a single scene, object, person, place, or anything visible.
• Can be subjective or objective

Definition

• Writers define to help readers grasp new terms or concepts or to understand familiar terms in new ways.
• Definition is important in the sciences, where terminology is comprehensive and discipline-specific.
• When defining scientific terms, writers should aim to be objective, while using analogies and impressions that readers can readily identify with.

Tips for writing a definition

• Identify defined term.
• Provide a basic or general definition
• Give clear detail for support.
• Scientific definitions often rely on physical features as well as behaviors defining by:
• Characteristics or features
• Function
• What it is not
• What it is similar to
• Example
• Origins
• its effect

Comparison and Contrast

• Comparison and contrast paragraphs are common in the humanities, sciences, and business.
• Used in: character analyses, essays, political science, sociology, historical papers, lab reports, progress reports, book and film reviews, and marketing campaigns.
• Paragraphs developed by comparison or contrast must have a unifying idea or purpose.
• Balance the information for each topic.
• Comparison shows how people, things, places, events, situations, or ideas are alike.
  • Signal words: also, like, both, as, similarly, in the same way, equally, important, likewise.
• Contrast shows how people, things, places, events, situations, or ideas are different.
  • Signal words: but, however, though, on the other hand, in contrast.

Exemplification

• Exemplification is a common and effective way to show or explain an idea or point.
• The main idea is explained using extended or detailed examples.
• Argumentative and exemplification essays, feature articles, reviews, reports, and case studies use examples to prove a point.

Cause and Effect

• Cause is why something happens.
• Effect is what happens.
• The cause and effect is used to explain how one event or action leads to another
• Possible signal words : as a result, accordingly, because of (this), due to (this), consequently, hence/therefore/thus
• Use the cause-and-effect pattern in three different ways:
• Cause to effect
• The cause is stated at the beginning with the effect as the conclusion.
• Works for single cause with different effects.
• Effect to cause
• The effect is stated first with the cause as the conclusion
• Works for single effect with different causes.
• Consecutive cause and effect
• Each cause with its effect are tackled one at a time

Problem and Solution

• A problem is an unsatisfactory situation that causes troubles or difficulties.
• Problem-solution patterns are used in writing to address topics that pose problems and present solutions in a logical way.
• The problem-solution pattern is a straightforward approach, so the problem is expressed in a simple statement, and a possible solution is provided.
• Problem-cause-solution involves analyzing the cause of the problem before presenting a solution.
• Problem-process-solution involves a thorough discussion of the process or procedure, where the problem is addressed and readers are led to the solution.

Narration

• A narrative is a story, its an effective method of development
• Even when writing an essay that is primarily informative, a narrative paragraph can draw the reader in and establish your voice in the essay.
• Narrative paragraphs include words representing time and transitional words.
  • Common transitional expressions: meanwhile, eventually, soon, later, first, second, then, finally, also, besides, furthermore, moreover, in addition, too, however, similarly, in conclusion.