Patterns of Development in Writing

Study Notes

Patterns of Development

Refers to a particular strategy writers use to develop ideas, involving the logical arrangement of ideas to help readers anticipate the author's thought development and remember what they read.

Narrative Paragraph

Intends to tell a sequence of events, describing how, when, and where an event or occurrence happened.
Used to tell a story or focus on a set of related events, telling a story of an event or experience.
Writing a narrative paragraph involves:
- Using action verbs and transitional expressions.
- Including descriptive details to help readers connect to the world the author envisions.
- Choosing the right words for their meaning and using effective expressions.

Components of Narrative Text

Logical Actions.
Way of Narration.
Terminology:
- General Terms.
- Specific Terms.
- Concrete Terms.
- Abstract Terms.

Description Paragraph

Gives information about what a person, object, place, or situation is like.
Provides details on the idea using either a sensory or spatial pattern.
Uses sensory languages to describe how the subject looks, sounds, feels, smells, or tastes like.
Two types of description:
- Objective Description: presents an impartial and actual picture of the subject without biases.
- Subjective Description: gives personal impression of what is observed.

Definition Paragraph

Answers the questions: What is it? What does it mean? What are its special features?
Explains what something is in comparison to other members of its class, along with any limitations.
Different ways to define a word:
- Informal Definition:
  - Denotation: dictionary meaning of a word.
  - Connotation: how a writer understands a word based on their personal or consensual experiences.
- Formal Definition: consists of three principal parts:
  - Species (Word): term to be defined.
  - Genus (Class): class it belongs.
  - Differentia: distinguishing characteristics.
- Extended/Expanded Definition: needed to define abstract concepts, broadening the definition by using:
  - Analogy.
  - Metaphors.
  - Comparison and contrast.
  - Descriptions.
  - Analysis.
  - Functions.
  - Characteristics or features.
  - Etymology.
  - Semantic origin.
  - Negation.
  - Synonym.
  - Example.
  - Effect.
- By Origins: providing a history of what a term/word has meant can help us understand its current meaning.
- Varieties of Definition:
  - Scientific Definition: defines concepts in a factual way, often used in scientific, proper, or real-world facts.
  - Subjective Definition: defines the objects in a more personal way, usually derived from the author's own experiences and opinion.

Exemplification/Classification

Exemplification:
- Provides examples and illustrations to further clarify or explain the concept or subject matter.
- Presents a general statement and then provides specific and concrete examples to expound on the main idea.
Classification/Division:
- Groups items into their parts or types and splits a general category of things into smaller subcategories.
- Groups things according to similar/different features (structures) that they share.
- Used when a writer needs to sort out or arrange subjects into groups or categories based on their common and shared characteristics.

Comparison-Contrast

Discusses similarities and differences.
Its purpose is not simply to state the obvious but rather to illustrate subtle differences...

Description

Explore the various strategies that writers use to develop ideas and the logical arrangement of ideas in writing. Understand how different patterns of development help in focusing your reading, remembering information, and establishing a writer's voice.