Patterns of Development

Patterns of Development

Below is a list of the various patterns of development most frequently found in expository writing.  Included are explanations and possible topics for each method of development.

 

Narration:  A narrative paragraph/essay tells a story of an event or an experience.  The story told, however, must have some point that is meaningful to the reader or target audience.  That is, it must have purpose.

 

Ø       A childhood memory

Ø       A day you’ll never forget

Ø       An event that helped you learn a lesson

Ø       A funny school or work story

Ø       An embarrassing experience

Ø       A frightening experience

 

 

 

 

 

Description:  A descriptive paragraph/essay uses sensory images (sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing) to help a reader or target audience experience what the writer has experienced.  As with all other patterns, a descriptive essay must have a point or purpose.  Description is often paired with the narrative because a good narrative contains description of sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and even emotions.

  

Ø       A kitchen

Ø       An elderly relative

Ø       A hard-working student

Ø       An outstanding athlete

Ø       A loyal friend

Ø       A gossipy neighbor

Ø       A rude salesperson

Ø       The dinner hour at my house

Ø       Lunchtime in a cafeteria

Ø       A midnight raid on the refrigerator

Ø       Getting ready to go out on a Friday night

Ø       My Sunday morning routine

Ø       A large department store

Ø       A sports stadium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Process Analysis: A process analysis explains to a reader how to do something or how something works.

 

Ø       How to make a favorite dish

Ø       How to throw the perfect free-throw

Ø       How to meet the man (woman) of your dreams

Ø       How to change a tire

Ø       How a camera works

Ø       How a computer works

 

 

 

 

 

Comparison/Contrast: A comparison/contrast paragraph/essay generally focuses on similarities or differences but not usually both. 

 

Compare or contrast:

Ø       High school teachers and college teachers

Ø       Working for someone else and being your own boss

Ø       Being married and dating

Ø       Raising boys and raising girls

Ø       Cooking dinner at home versus dining out

Ø       A sports figure’s public image, versus his or her private personality

Ø       A politician’s promises before an election with those after an election

Ø       Attitudes toward smoking twenty years ago and those of today

Ø       An actor or musician on stage with the same actor offstage

Ø       Traditional portrayal of American Indians (in old films, for example) with portrayals today

Ø       Two attitudes toward religion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Causal Analysis: A causal analysis paragraph/essay explains a cause and effect relationship. A cause explains what made an event happen.  An effect is what happens as a result of the event.  

 

Cause: 

 

Ø       The causes of teen suicide

Ø       The causes of teen violence

Ø       The causes of high school dropouts

 

Effect:

 

Ø       The effects of divorce on children

Ø       The effects of regular exercise

Ø       The effects of overeating

Ø       The effects of substance abuse on the body

Ø       The effects of absenteeism in school

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illustration: An illustration paragraph/essay is developed through the use of examples.  That is, it provides instances of the controlling idea a writer is attempting to clarify.

 

Illustrate:

Ø       People I Have Admired

Ø       The World’s Worst Habits

Ø       What Makes a Class Exciting

Ø       What Makes a Good Husband/Wife

Ø       Features to Look for When Buying a _________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Definition:  A definition paragraph/essay uses any number of patterns of development to explain the meaning of a word.  It usually develops the connotative idea rather than the denotative definition.

 

Ø       Dance

Ø       Art

Ø       Love

Ø       Passion

Ø       Friendship

Ø       A good marriage

Ø       Education

Ø      Intelligence

 

 

 

 

 

Division/Classification: A division/classification paragraph/essay divides a readily understood item into equal categories and then classifies each of those categories by its distinctive traits. 

 

Divide and classify:

Ø       Pens

Ø       Teachers

Ø       Snack foods

Ø       Neighborhoods

Ø       Soft drinks

Ø       Parents

Ø       Governments

Ø       Dogs

Ø       Careers

Ø       Parties

Ø       Summer jobs

Ø       Movies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Argumentation/Persuasion: An argumentative paragraph/essay attempts to educate a reader on a controversial issue usually with the intent of persuading that reader to view the issue from the writer’s point of view and often ending with a call to action, requesting the reader to make or initiate a change.

 

Ø       Cigarette ads should not target young people.

Ø       People should not go overboard when dieting.

Ø       Wealthy people receive special privileges in our society.

Ø       Advertisements should not use skinny models.

Ø       Public school children should/should not wear uniforms.

Ø       Pornography is too accessible on the Internet.

Ø       Americans are a fix-it-with-a-pill society.