Patterns 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.
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.
Process Analysis: A process analysis explains to a reader how
to do something or how something works.
Comparison/Contrast: A comparison/contrast paragraph/essay
generally focuses on similarities or differences but not usually
both.
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.
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.
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. Two rules apply when developing an effective
division/classification essay: 1) Each category should possess equal status. 2) There
should be a category representing the majority of possible examples. For instance, a
division of motorcycles into categories of new and used would be both equal and
complete.

Patterns Of Development
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 writers point of view and often ending with a call to
action, requesting the reader to make or initiate a change.