Professional Documents
Culture Documents
I. Introduction
After learning about the first four patterns of written text, you will now deal with
another four patterns which are comparison and contrast, cause and effect, problem-
solution, and persuasion.
III. Objectives
At the end of this learning activity sheet, you are expected to:
1. identify the different patterns of written texts;
2. give an example of any of the patterns of written text; and
3. compare the patterns of written texts discussed.
IV. Discussion
PATTERNS OF WRITTEN TEXTS
1
Comparing and Contrasting Ideas in an Essay
Some selections use transition words to alert readers that the idea that follows is
either a comparison or contrast of the other. Some of those words are listed below.
Aside from using a set of criteria and transition words, most comparison and contrast
essays are structured in the following manner.
Note that the similarities for a category are immediately contrasted in the next
paragraph.
In contrast, the block method enumerates all the similarities in one paragraph and
summarizes all the differences in the next.
You may also write a purely comparison or purely contrast essay following the
structures above. You just need to get your criteria right.
Example:
Before the advent of computers and modern technology, people communicating over
long distances used traditional means such as letters and the telephone. Nowadays
we have a vast array of communication tools which can complete this task, ranging
from email to instant messaging and video calls. While the present and previous
means of communication are similar in their general form, they differ in regard to their
speed and the range of tools available.
Cause tells us the origin of a phenomenon, disaster, or event, while the effect is
the outcome or consequence of an action. In writing cause and effect stories and
essays, the relationship between the cause and effect must be logical, meaning, the
effect should be a natural outcome of the cause. Furthermore, an essay may have a
single cause and multiple effects or multiple causes leading to a single effect.
To ensure the smooth flow of ideas within and among paragraphs, the following
transition words may be used.
accordingly, as a result, because of, consequently, due to, for that reason, hence, if
… then, leads to, on account of, results in, since, so therefore, thus
Example:
The main reasons behind the increase of women in the workplace are women's
liberation and feminism. The women's liberation movement originated in the 1960s
and was popularised by authors such as Simone de Beauvoir. As a consequence of
this, new legislation emerged, granting women equal rights to men in many fields, in
particular employment. Because of feminist ideas, men have taken up roles which
were previously seen as being for women only, most importantly those related to child
rearing. As a result of this, women have more time to pursue their own careers and
interests.
C. Problem-Solution
In contrast, the solution refers to the measures or steps that will be taken to solve
the issue. It should be feasible, affordable, and implementable. Going back to the
example, to determine the person/s liable for the death of the 44 policemen, an
independent truth commission composed of representatives form the private sector
and international community may be formed to investigate the case. Furthermore,
measures must be taken to prevent a similar casualty from occurring.
To identify the problem, there should be proper accounting of the facts and history
of the event. This will also ensure that the proposed solution responds to the
problem. Remember, too, that the solution must be feasible, meaning it is
implementable.
Example:
Changes by individuals to their diet and their physical activity can increase life
expectancy. There is a reliance today on the consumption of processed foods, which
have a high fat and sugar content. By preparing their own foods, and consuming
more fruit and vegetables, people could ensure that their diets are healthier and more
balanced, which could lead to a reduction in obesity levels. In order to improve fitness
levels, people could choose to walk or cycle to work or to the shops rather than taking
the car. They could also choose to walk up stairs instead of taking the lift. These
simple changes could lead to a significant improvement in fitness levels.
D. Persuasion
What do you find most striking in a shampoo commercial? Some of you may say the
visual effects of the product, the endorser, the testimony of an expert, and so on.
Notice that you might be using a specific brand, but after watching another brand’s
commercial, you feel like switching to the product. The ability of the commercial to
appeal to the emotions without arguing is known as persuasion.
Although supporting ideas and pieces of evidence are necessary to persuade others
to take the cause, you still need to stir their emotions – make them feel that they are
part of the concern and their participation is necessary to implement change, just
like what Martin Luther King Jr. did. He rallied the black people to dream of equality
by creating a vision that this dream is at hand. He also did not forget to use the
following transition words in developing his essay.
Example:
There is no doubt that current human activities such as the creation of nuclear
weapons, pollution, and destruction of wildlife, are harmful to the earth. It is
important for us to see not only the short-term effects of our actions, but their long-
term effects as well. Otherwise, human activities will be just another step towards
destruction.
V. Activities
C. Show me what you’ve got!
Directions: Choose one from the patterns of written texts discussed and write your own
example of it. Your example should have 3-5 sentences. Use a separate sheet of paper for
your answer.
Assessment
Directions: In 10-15 sentences, compare the four patterns of written texts discussed.
Explain how they are similar or different from each other. Write your answer on a
separate sheet of paper and be guided with the rubric below.
Majul, Mary Ann. (2016). en[g]counters, Reading and Writing in the Contemporary
World. Quezon City. St. Bernadette Publishing House Corporation.
EAP Foundation.Com. (n.d.). Compare and Contrast Essays.
https://www.eapfoundation.com/writing/essays/candc/
EAP Foundation.Com. (n.d.). Cause and Effect Essays.
https://www.eapfoundation.com/writing/essays/cande/
EAP Foundation.Com. (n.d.). Problem-Solution Essays.
https://www.eapfoundation.com/writing/essays/problemsolution/
EAP Foundation.Com. (n.d.). Persuasion Essays.
https://www.eapfoundation.com/writing/essays/persuasion/
Excelsior Online Reading Lab. (n.d.). Writing Patterns.
https://owl.excelsior.edu/orc/what-to-do-after-reading/analyzing/writing-
patterns/
Prepared by:
(Answers may
vary.)
C. Show me what you’ve
got!
9.
True
8.
False
7.
Cause and FaTrue 6
Effect ls 5. .
e 4.
False
Problem- 1 True
Solution . 2.
True
1.
True
A. True or
False