PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT IN WRITING

A writing pattern is a specific way of organizing ideas to convey a certain type of argument. Each writing
pattern is uniquely designed with its own special parts that work together to achieve a specific purpose.

NARRATIVE TEXT
A narrative text describes how, when, and where an event or occurrence actually happened. It is used to tell a
story or to focus on a set of related events. It is often told in a chronological sequence and follows an arc.

NARRATIVE ARC
- parts of a narrative text. Each contributes to a text’s coherence.

Beginning
1. Thesis statement - what the text is about. It usually includes the story and the realization, lesson or
significance.
2. Introduction - beginning of the narrative and it usually contains the character, the setting and the
circumstances around the story
Middle
3. Rising action - when conflict begins to ramps up
4. Climax - highest point of story where the character usually makes a choice
5. Falling action - consequence/s of the climax
End
6. Conclusion - how the text ends. The thesis statement may also be restated here.

TRANSITION DEVICES (Signal words)

Transition devices are words or phrases used to connect one part of the narrative arc to the next. They also
signify time and create cohesion within the paragraph or the essay. They make the narrative text coherent.

BEGINNING MIDDLE END

❖ In the beginning ❖ Then ❖ In the end

❖ Once ❖ Next ❖ Finally
❖ One time ❖ Later ❖ At last
❖ Initially ❖ After ❖ Later
❖ It started when ❖ Soon ❖ After
❖ At first ❖ Suddenly ❖ To sum it up
❖ One day ❖ Later that day ❖ Last but not the least
❖ Once upon a time ❖ Meanwhile ❖ Eventually
DESCRIPTIVE TEXT is used when the writer wants to evoke the senses to create a picture.

CLUSTERING, also called webbing or mapping,

it is a brainstorming technique which
emphasizes associations among ideas.

TOPIC OUTLINE is used to show the logical ordering of the topics within a text without going into the details.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD DESCRIPTIVE TEXT?

1. Focused on a subject familiar to you
2. Uses adjectives to paint a vivid picture
3. Maximizes use of the 5 senses

TYPES OF DESCRIPTION
 Objective description is primarily factual, omitting any attention to the writer’s feelings.
 Subjective description includes attention to both the subject described and the writer’s reactions to that
subject.
 Figurative description relies on creating likenesses between objects, through figures of speech.
FIGURES OF SPEECH
- creative use of language to generate a certain effect
 Simile - compares two dissimilar things using “like” or “as.”
 Metaphor - direct comparison of dissimilar things to create more vivid imagery or understanding.
 Personification - assigning human attributes to nonhuman things.
 Hyperbole - deliberate exaggeration that adds emphasis, urgency, or excitement to a statement.
 Synecdoche - when a smaller unit or brand is used to signify a larger unit or vice versa.

Signal words: Appears to be, In front, Beside, Near, Next to, On top of

DEFINITIVE TEXT emphasizes the characteristics or features of the term/ concept, its function/s, effects and
origin.
 Denotation is the literal meaning of the text.
 Scientific definition relies on facts or scientific findings.
 Connotation defines a subject in a more personal way; also called subjective definition

A good definition moves beyond a dictionary definition to deeply examine a word or concept as we actually
use and understand it.

Signal Words: Which means, means, to define, is defined as, refers to

EXEMPLIFICATION uses specific, vivid examples for the purpose of adding more information to explain,
persuade, define, or illustrate a general idea.

Deductive Reasoning is the organization of ideas from broad terms to specific instances.

MULTIPLE EXAMPLE OUTLINE

Topic: _______________________________________________________________________
Topic Sentence: _______________________________________________________________
1. Example: ____________________________________________________________
2. Example: ____________________________________________________________
3. Example: ____________________________________________________________
Concluding Sentence: __________________________________________________________

EXTENDED EXAMPLE OUTLINE

Topic: _______________________________________________________________________
Topic Sentence: _______________________________________________________________
1. Example: ____________________________________________________________
a. Major supporting detail: _________________________________________
1) Minor supporting detail___________________________________
2) Minor supporting detail___________________________________
b. Major Supporting detail: _________________________________________
1) Minor supporting detail: __________________________________
2) Minor supporting detail: __________________________________
c. Major Supporting detail: _________________________________________
1) Minor supporting detail: __________________________________
2) Minor supporting detail: __________________________________
Concluding Sentence: _________________________________________________________

QUALITIES OF A GOOD EXEMPLIFIED TEXT

 Uses relevant examples.
 The examples must be connected to the topic sentence.
 The connection between the example and the topic must be established.
 We should only use a fair amount of example to avoid overexplaining and avoid insulting the
reader’s intelligence.

Signal words: For example, for instance, namely, as in, as seen in

 COMPARISON AND CONTRAST is used to explain how two things are similar and different.

VENN DIAGRAM uses two overlapping circles to

compare and contrast 2 subjects. We include
the similarities in their shared space while we
write down their differences in the separate
spaces.

I. THESIS STATEMENT: ___________________________________________

II. COMPARISON: _______________________________________________
III. CONTRAST: __________________________________________________
a. Subject 1: ________________________________________________
b. Subject 2: ________________________________________________
IV. CONCLUSION: ________________________________________________
* the comparison and contrast part may be interchangeable

TRANSITION DEVICES
COMPARE CONTRAST

 as well as  on the contrary

 Both  on the other hand
 Like  However
 in common with  Otherwise
 Likewise  Whereas
 also  Still
 yet

PROBLEM AND SOLUTION considers a problem or issue then, present a solution to solve a problem or
improve a situation.

 Choose a problem. It must be current, useful and relevant.

 Identify solutions.It must be easily implemented, feasible, practical, cost-effective.
 Structure your paragraphs.

I. THESIS STATEMENT - State your topic and present the problem. Establish your problem as valid and relevant.
II. 2ND PARAGRAPH: Introduce cause and effect. Simplify your language and use credible sources to support your
claims.
III. 3RD AND 4TH PARAGRAPHS: Introduce preventive measures and give a series of solutions
IV. CONCLUSION: Restate your thesis, summarize your work and call for action
CAUSE AND EFFECT is used to determine how various phenomena are related.
STEPS IN WRITING A CAUSE AND EFFECT TEXT:
1. Choose a topic
2. Decide on your focus
3. Structure your paragraphs
4. Use transition devices

OUTLINE OF CAUSE AND EFFECT TEXT (5-PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE)

1. INTRODUCTION
a) Hook - can include an intriguing question, statistic, shocking statement, or a story or description.
b) Context/Background - uses facts to explain why the topic is relevant
c) Thesis Statement
2. BODY (usually made up of 3 paragraphs) - each paragraph is consists of a topic sentence and supporting
details
3. CONCLUSION : Restate your thesis, summarize your work and call for action

TRANSITION DEVICES
CAUSE EFFECT

 as a consequence of  accordingly
 as a result of  consequently
 because of  hence
 now that  so
 since  therefore
 and resulted in

PERSUASION is used to convince readers to believe in an idea or opinion and to do an action.

A good persuasive text uses facts in order to support their argument.

 Facts should be from a reliable source.

 Facts should support your stance.
 Facts should be well-organized.
 Facts should disprove opposing argument.

I. INTRODUCTION
a) Topic
b) Thesis statement (stance)
II. SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS (FACTS)
III. CONCLUSION - should motivate your audience or inspire them to take up the same belief or same action
as you.

Signal words: As a case in point, Therefore we must, granted, certainly, of course, no doubt, surely, naturally,
although this may be true