Patterns of Paragraph Development
Definition
Narration
Narration tells a story. It relates an incident or a series of events
that leads to a conclusion or ending. It tells the readers when,
where, and what happened.
A narrative paragraph contains action verbs and transition words
that indicate time or sequence. The following are some transition
words used to signal time or sequence order:
First, second, etc. after, next, then, eventually, soon, meanwhile, a
short time later, during, at the same time, simultaneously,
suddenly, instantly, momentarily, the next day, following,
thereafter, in the end, ultimately
Example:
Last night, I was walking on my way home when it suddenly
rained. I forgot to bring my umbrella, so I ran to avoid getting
completely soaked in the rain. Not seeing where I was going, I fell into
a paddle of water. Then a guy helped me stand up. When I looked up,
I recognized him. Momentarily, I forgot that I was soaking wet and
that I was very cold. He offered to walk me home, and I just nodded.
The next day, he and I saw each other at school. At last, we talked like
old friends.
Description
Description gives information of what a person, an object, a place,
or a situation is like. It appeals to the reader’s senses; it makes the
reader see, hear, taste, smell, or feel the subject.
A descriptive paragraph has concrete and specific details, which
are carefully chosen by a writer to paint a picture in the mind of
the reader. Literary analyses, descriptive essays, business plans,
lab reports, and research papers are some examples of writing
genres that use descriptive paragraphs.
Example:
The tarsier has soft, grayish fur. It has bat-like ears and a
long, rat-like tail. It only stands about 100 millimeters. It feeds on
insects like crickets, beetles, and termites; and on small animals, too,
like lizards, frogs, and small birds. Also, it is capable of turning its head
180 degrees and jumping backward with accuracy.
The old formulation of the drug (MAC) and the new
Definition explains a concept, term, or subject. Its main purpose is
to tell what something is. It consists of three parts: (1)
the term, concept, or subject to be defined; (2) the general
class to which it belongs, and (3) the characteristics that
differentiate it from the other members of its class. This pattern
of development is commonly used in the sciences, humanities,
and business.
Example:
The greenhouse effect is a natural process. As the sun shines,
earth absorbs some of its energy. Then the greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere like water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide,
and the ozone absorb and emit that energy. This energy warms the
atmosphere as well as the earth’s surface. As a result, the process
keeps earth warm.
Tips
 You can develop your paragraphs in any pattern that suits
your writing purpose.
 Use narration to relate an incident or a series of events.
Remember to use transition words that indicate time and
sequence.
 Use description to tell what someone or something is like.
Remember to use concrete and specific details.
 Use definition to explain a concept, term, or subject.
Remember to give specific characteristics of what you are
defining.
Comparison
To compare persons, things, places, events, situations, or ideas is
to show how they are alike. You need to identify the points of
comparison and make a list of similar characteristics or qualities
for each point of comparison.
The following are words that signal similarities:
also like both as… as similarly
in the same way equally important likewise
Example:
formulation (MAC-II) have similar effects on the test mice. Within 7
days, both mice lost weight. The mouse treated with MAC, mouse A,
lost 2.2 grams (g), while the mouse given with MAC-II, mouse B, lost
2.4 g. Also, there was no increase in hair growth on both subjects.
Lastly, the mice similarly exhibited low energy levels. Mouse A started
to become lethargic on day 4, while mouse B became lethargic on day
5.
(Explanation)
In the text, two mice are compared. Each point of comparison (i.e.,
weight loss, hair growth, and energy level) is drawn. Also, the
words both and similarly are used to signal comparison.
Contrast
To contrast persons, things, places, events, situations, or ideas is
to show how they are different. To do so, you need to make a list
of the characteristics or qualities of the subjects and then identify
the differences between them.
The following are some words that signal contrast:
But however though on the other hand in contrast
Example:
In the venture capital industry, a start-up company can
either be a “unicorn” or a “bust.” Unicorns have a valuation of over
$1 billion, a high market interest, and a novel product. On the
other hand, busts fail to reach their minimum funding goal, have
a low market interest, and have a mediocre product.
(Explanation)
In the text, two types of start-up companies are contrasted. Their
different characteristics are stated in two separate sentences
connected by the phrase on the other hand, which signals a
contrast between the two subjects.
Comparison and Contrast
Comparison and contrast paragraphs are common in writing in
many academic disciplines like the humanities, sciences, and
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business. Such paragraphs can be found in character analyses;
various kinds of essays; political science, sociology, and historical
papers; lab reports; progress reports; book and film reviews; and
marketing campaigns.
A paragraph developed by comparison and contrast has a unifying
idea or purpose. Also, it must be balanced in such a way that there
is an equal amount of information for each subject to avoid bias.
Example:
Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo are regarded as two of
the greatest artists from the Renaissance. Both were geniuses; they
mastered techniques that made them superior to their
contemporaries. Also, they were similarly interested in anatomy,
which helped them produce highly realistic works. However, they each
had a distinct style. Da Vinci developed a style that was feminine and
full of light. On the other hand, Michelangelo preferred his works to
be masculine and dark.
(Explanation)
In the text, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo are compared and
contrasted for the purpose of showing both their greatness and
individuality as artists. Their similarities were mentioned first and
then their differences.
Key Points
To compare subjects is to show the similarities between them,
while to contrast them is to point out their differences.
Comparison and contrast can both be used in the development of
a text or paragraph depending on your purpose.
In the previous modules, you have learned some patterns of
development in writing⎼⎼narration, description, definition, and
comparison and contrast.
Exemplification
Exemplification is one of the most common and effective ways to
show or explain an idea or point (e.g., observation, opinion,
belief). In this pattern of development, the main idea is explained
by giving an extended example or a series of detailed examples.
Many writing assignments in various disciplines require the use of
exemplification. Argumentative and exemplification essays,
feature articles, reviews, reports, and case studies often use
examples to prove a point.
Example
Today, men and women of all ages undergo surgery to feel
good about themselves. Three of the most popular surgical
procedures are liposuction, facelifts, and hair transplants. First,
liposuction is a quick fix for those who find good diet and exercise
ineffective and time consuming. Next, surgical facelifts promise men
and women a younger and fresher look. Lastly, hair transplants are
now possible, especially for balding men. Thanks to medical advances,
men can now avoid the harsh reality of losing their hair by undergoing
a long-lasting hair transplant procedure.
(Explanation)
This paragraph expounds on the main idea, which is stated in the
first sentence, through specific examples. The examples, which
are the surgical procedures and their purpose, support the main
idea.
Classification
Classification refers to sorting or arranging subjects (e.g., persons,
places, things, ideas) into groups or categories according to their
common or shared characteristic. The subjects can be grouped in
many different ways depending on your purpose. With a purpose
in mind, you can determine how to group the subjects in your list.
The group or category should have a single basis of classification.
Classification is commonly done in various disciplines. Classifying
historical events by year, popular TV shows by genre, diseases
based on mode of transmission, cleaning products based on
manufacturer, and animals based on habitat are some examples
of topics in different disciplines.
Example
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are composed of
the Philippine Army, the Philippine Air Force, the Philippine Navy, and
the Philippine Marine Corps. The Philippine Army, the main and
largest branch, is responsible for ground warfare. It was established
on December 21, 1935, and it has 86,000 active personnel. The
Philippine Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch. It has 15,000
active personnel and a total of 126 aircraft. It has been active since
July 1, 1947. The Philippine Navy is the naval service branch. It was
founded on May 20, 1898 and has a total of 101 ships and 24,000
active personnel. The Philippine Marine Corps conducts amphibious
and expeditionary warfare as well as special operation missions. It
was established on November 2, 1950, and it has 8,300 active
personnel.
(Explanation)
This paragraph presents the four branches of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines. It provides details about each branch, such as
function, date of establishment, and number of active personnel.
Using Exemplification and Classification
You can use both exemplification and classification in developing
a paragraph. You can begin by classifying some ideas and then
explain each idea by giving examples.
Example
Pollution of air, land, and water affects people’s health. Toxic
gases, particulate matter (e.g., smoke, soot, dust), and other
hazardous air pollutants can contaminate the air. If breathed, the air
causes or exacerbates serious respiratory problems, such as asthma,
bronchitis, emphysema, and lung disease. Toxic wastes like chemicals,
garbage, pesticides, and heavy metals make the land toxic. If people
are exposed to such land, they can develop skin problems,
deformities, and certain types of cancer. Chemicals, sewage,
fertilizers, and other harmful substances can contaminate primary
water sources like the oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, and streams. Water
from affected sources can cause stomach illness, liver damage,
certain types of cancer, and neurological problems in people.
(Explanation)
The first sentence of the paragraph states the main idea, and the
three types of pollution are its subject. The sentences that follow
provide support. They give examples of pollutants and the health
problems that those pollutants cause.
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Cause and Effect Effect to Cause Example
A cause is simply “why something happens,” and an effect is The effect can be stated at the beginning of the text, followed by American women gained status during World War II. Many
“what happens.” Together, they can be used as a pattern of sentences and paragraphs that expound on the causes. This type of them took over men’s jobs in factories and farms as men enlisted
development in writing. of organization is best for presenting a single effect with different into the military. As a result, they learned new skills and experienced
With the cause-and-effect pattern, the writer can explain how an causes. work outside of the home. Also, women were allowed to serve in the
event or action leads to another. military following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, so they felt the pride
The following words can be used to signal cause and effect: Example of being in the military service. Lastly, because of the absence of men,
as a result accordingly because of (this) due to (this) Global warming, the increase of Earth’s average surface women made decisions for themselves and their families.
consequently hence/therefore/thus temperature, is happening. One of its major causes is the buildup of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Those gases trap heat in the (Explanation)
There are three different ways to use the cause-and-effect pattern atmosphere, which keeps the Earth warm. However, burning fossil The first sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. Then the
in writing: fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas produces more carbon dioxide, a next two sentences give the first supporting information, the
 Cause to effect greenhouse gas, in the atmosphere. Thus, more heat is trapped in the second sentence stating the cause and the third, the effect. The
 Effect to cause atmosphere, and the Earth gets warmer than usual. other supporting information is stated in the rest of the sentences
 Consecutive cause and effect Another major cause of the global warming is deforestation. in the same pattern. Notice the use of signal words as a
When forests are burned, large amounts of carbon are released into result and so to indicate an outcome, and because of and so to
the atmosphere. Likewise, when trees are cut down, much carbon signify a cause.
Cause to Effect
dioxide from living things, some of which is absorbed by the trees,
The cause, which can be an event or action, can be stated right at
goes to the atmosphere. Key Points
the beginning of a paragraph, followed by sentences stating the Moreover, nitrogen-based fertilizers are contributing to
effects. This type of organization is best for explaining a single A cause tells why something happens, while an effect describes
global warming. They are used in farming to stimulate microbes in the what happens.
cause with different effects. soil. At a very fast rate, the microbes convert nitrogen to nitrous oxide, The writer can use the cause-and-effect pattern of
a greenhouse gas that can trap more heat than carbon dioxide can.
Example development to explain how an event or action leads to another.
Also, it destroys the ozone, Earth’s defense from ultraviolet light.
Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning caused
by Salmonella enterica bacterium. People who are infected with such There are three ways to use the cause-and-effect pattern in
(Explanation)
illness experience abdominal cramps, fever, and diarrhea. writing:
The first sentence of the first paragraph states the effect, which is
Consequently, they suffer from severe dehydration, vomiting, (1) cause to effect manner to discuss a single cause with different
the main idea of the entire text. Then it is followed by the
headaches, and body aches. Furthermore, salmonellosis can lead to effects;
statement of the first cause and its supporting information. The
complications, such as Reiter’s syndrome (reactive arthritis) and focal (2) effect to cause manner to discuss a single effect with different
second and third causes are stated and explained in the next two
infection. causes; and
paragraphs.
(3) consecutive cause and effect manner to discuss a cause and
(Explanation) its effect completely before moving on to the next cause and
Consecutive Cause and Effect
The topic sentence right at the beginning of the paragraph effect.
In this type of organization, the causes, each with its
defines salmonellosis, the cause. Then the rest of the sentences
corresponding effect, are tackled one by one in a few sentences
enumerate the effects of the illness. The
or a paragraph. The writer explains each cause and effect
words consequently and furthermore are used to connect the
completely before moving on to the next cause and effect.
ideas between sentences.