PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT IN WRITTEN TEXTS

•A pattern of development in writing refers to the particular strategy writers use to develop ideas. It is
the logical arrangement of ideas in a text.
• The pattern helps you follow ideas easily and understand a text better. Moreover, knowing that these
common patterns of human thought exist, will help you to both develop and organize information in
your essays or compositions.
• The pattern of paragraph development presents ideas in logical and consistent structure to manage
information in an essay. Thus, the logical organization of paragraphs greatly enhances the ease with
which one can understand and remember the information presented. People seek out patterns to help
make sense of information. When a reader is not able to find a pattern that make sense, chaos and
confusion abound.

1.Narration- It is the most basic pattern of development. It describes how, when and where an event or
occurrence happened. Likewise, it is used to tell a story or focus on a set of related events.
2. Description-The pattern of development which goes into details about a specific object, person, or
location, in order to firmly set its appearance.
3. Definition-It explains not just what something means or is, but also what something does, what
something is used for.
4. Classification- A classification pattern organizes ideas into categories or divisions based on criteria and
standards. This pattern can be used when classifying people, objects, events, things, places, and other
items.
5. Exemplification- This pattern presents the general statement and then provides specific and concrete
examples to expound on the main idea. Simply put, this pattern is used to provide an example of
something.
6.Comparison-Contrast- This pattern organizes ideas based on how events, places, people, things and
concepts are similar to or different from one another.
7. Cause and Effect- This pattern explains why something happens or what results a particular event
produces. It organizes details based on the causes, the reason, and the result or consequences of certain
phenomenon.
8. Problem Solution- This pattern organizes ideas into problems and proposed solutions. The problem
section usually includes the what, who, when, why and how of the problem. The other part then
presents the major effects of the problem and the possible solutions to address it, as well as the steps in
implementing the solution.
9. Persuasion- Persuasion pattern organizes ideas to show how a set of evidence lead to a logical
conclusion or argument. Specifically, this pattern presents the issue, the position, and the supporting
evidence that supports the position.
TEXT ORGANIZATION
• Text organization is the way a text is organized that helps to guide the reader logically through it. This
property makes a text readable and clear. In simpler words, it is the consistent development and
completeness of ideas in a text.
• You have to remember that a well-organized piece of writing supports readers by making it easy for
them to follow.
WHAT ARE THE TECHNIQUES TO ACHIEVE TEXT ORGANIZATION?
1. PHYSICAL FORMAT
- it is an aspect of the organization that is immediately apparent to the reader. It is seen in how the text
physically appears like headings and subheadings, bullet points or font emphasis. However, use this
technique with discretion as improper or superfluous formatting can be confusing.
2. SIGNAL WORDS
- are textual cues that readers can use to follow a text. They can “signal” the transition from one point to
another, the ordering of events and concepts, or the writer’s chosen text type (e.g., linear narration,
question and answer).
3. STRUCTURE
- provides the framework upon which the text is organized. It consists of the following:
• Beginning: introduction, thesis statement, hook
• Middle: supporting details
• End: conclusion, summary, final message
What is Coherence?
- it is the connection of ideas at the idea level
- “rhetorical” aspects of writing which include developing and supporting arguments (e.g. thesis
statement development,synthesizing and integrating readings, organizing and clarifying ideas)
- it is the overall sense of unity in a passage including both the main point of sentences and the main
point of each paragraph
- it is the connection of ideas at the sentence level
- it focuses on the “grammatical” aspects of writing
1. Repeated words/ideas – one way to achieve cohesion is to repeat words, or to repeat ideas using
different words.
Example:
Most students are intimidated by the works of William Shakespeare. They believe Shakespeare’s
sonnets and plays are far too complicated to read and understand.
2. Reference words – are words which are used to refer to something which is mentioned elsewhere in
the text, usually in a preceding sentence. The most common type is pronoun.
Example:
Mr. Thompson agreed to meet with members of the worker’s union before he signed the contract. He
was interested in hearing their concerns about the new insurance plan.
3. Transitional Signals – are also called cohesive devices or linking words. These are words or phrases
which show the relationship between ideas. Some examples of transitional signals are:
a. Time – first, immediately, afterward, before, at the same time, after, earlier, simultaneously, finally,
next, in the meantime, later, eventually, then, meanwhile, now, subsequent, etc.
b. Sequence – moreover, furthermore, next, also, finally, last, another, first, second,third, besides,
additionally, etc.
c. Space – above, next to, below, behind, beside, etc.
d. Illustration – for instance, specifically, for example, namely, in this case, to illustrate, etc.
e. Comparison – similarly, also, in the same way, still, likewise, in comparison, too, etc.
f. Contrast – but, despite, however, even though, yet, on the other hand, although, on the contrary,
otherwise, conversely, nevertheless, instead, in spite of; etc.
g. Cause and effect – because, as a result, consequently, then, so, since, etc.
h. Conclusion – thus, therefore, in conclusion, in short, etc.
3. Transitional Signals – are also called cohesive devices or linking words. These are words or phrases
which show the relationship between ideas. Some examples of transitional signals are:
4. Synonyms – are words that have the same or nearly the same meaning as another word. They provide
alternative word choices that can add variety to a text and can help eliminate unnecessary repetition.
5. Parallelism – is the use of matching words, phrases, clauses or sentence structures to express similar
ideas. Parallel structures allow the reader to flow smoothly from one idea, sentence or paragraph to the
next and to understand the relationships and connections between ideas.
LANGUAGE USE?
• Language use is one of the clearest indicators of a well-written text. It enables writers to effectively
communicate ideas without confusing the reader. It allows the writer to express the message that they
want to convey to the readers.
LEVELS OF LANGUAGE USE
1. Informal/Personal - slang, local expressions, text messaging. It is usually used in writing for family,
friends, and colleagues.
Examples:
a. Hey b. Sup c. OTW d. BRB e. Bes f. Pet (friend)
2. Standard/Academic - widely accepted words and phrases found in books, magazines, and
newspapers.
Examples:
Note to a professor: I missed the class last night. May I e-mail my paper later? The problem is garbage
management as it greatly affects the students who are occupying the SJH Bldg.
3. Business/Technical - scientific terms, jargons, and special expressions.
Examples:
Psychiatrist’s Report: “Dissociative rage order is not indicated by the ER assessment.”
Education: “This School Year, the Department of Education focused only on the Most Essential Learning
Competencies (MELC).
TONES OF WRITING COVERED BY LANGUAGE USE?
1. Subjective Tone -uses the writer’s personal biases and judgement. It tells us something about the
writer, and particularly on how he/she feels.
2. Objective Tone – uses factual information and arguments. It is an impersonal style of writing. It gives
us information about something but does not include information about the writer.
MECHANICS?
• Mechanics focuses on the technicalities of the structure.
• It determines errors on subject-verb agreement, prepositions, tenses, the grammar, spelling,
capitalization, abbreviations and acronyms, the use of numbers as part of the statement, and the
punctuation marks.
1. Spelling- When you write, always make sure that you are consistently using one standard with regards
to the spelling of your words. Remember that there are slight differences in American English spelling
and British English spelling
2. Capitalization- It is the act of writing the first letter of the word in uppercase while the rest of the
letters are in lowercase. There are rules in capitalization that you must remember. Here are some
examples of words that require capitalization. Rules for capitalization.
3. Abbreviation and Acronyms- Mention the full name of an institution or organization, with the
abbreviation in parenthesis, in first mention. Thereafter, use the abbreviation.
4. Numbers- Numbers from zero to ten should be spelled out while numbers higher than nine and
should be written in figures.
5. Punctuation Marks
1. period (.) used after sentences, in abbreviations, and as decimals
2. exclamation point (!) placed at the emphatic or forceful sentences
3. question mark (?) placed at the end of a question and to note questionable items
4. quotation marks (“ ”) to indicate direct quotations for titles of poems, short stories, chapters, essays,
songs, episodes of television shows
5. apostrophe (’) to show possession (Angel’s bag), to show missing letters and number (you’re, ’95), to
show plurals of letters (I got all A’s last semester.)
6. colon (:) after independent clauses to introduce elements.
7. slash / to separate items in numerals, ratios, titles and subtitles, time references, scripture references
8. parentheses () to set off nonessential details and explanations, to enclose letters and numbers used
when listing items, first-time use of acronym
9. brackets [ ] to set off clarifications inserted in quotations.
10. hyphen ( - ) to separate or join words Never pay a higher-than-average price.
11. dash ( -- ) to show sudden break
12. slash (/) to separate words or to show alternatives (he/she)
13. semicolon (;) to join independent clauses when and, or, yet, but, or so are not present, to separate
items in a series that contains commas.
14. ellipsis (. . . ) to indicate that words have been deleted from quoted material Original text
15. comma (,) to signal pauses and shifts in sentences, used with and, or, so, but, yet to join independent
clauses.
6. Grammar- Proper grammar rules should be observed.
WHAT IS CLAIM?
-A claim is what the writer tries to prove in the text by providing details, explanations, and other types of
evidence. As such, it is usually found in the introduction or in the first few paragraphs of texts.
-A claim persuades, argues, convinces, proves, or provocatively suggests something to a reader who may
or may not initially agree with you.
EXPLICITY
-When something is stated explicitly, this means the exact meaning of something is clearly stated. The
meaning should be clear and obvious to anyone reading the statement. Stating things explicitly is often
important in professional settings, such as the workplace, hospital, or classroom.
IMPLICITLY
-When something is stated implicitly, meaning the actual, explicit
meaning isn’t directly stated, it’s implied.
 Claims of Fact are statements about how things were in the past, how they are in the present,
or how they will be in the future. A fact claim is not a question, it is not a fact; it only claims to
be a fact and must be arguable. Ex.
1. Hinduism is the oldest religion in the world.
2. Even before the popularity of Dante Alighieri's “Divine Comedy”, all people had been
believing in afterlife.
3. As time passes it people choose to worship material things as their gods.
4. Roman Catholicism would have not been known to
Filipinos without Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition.
 Claims of Policy argue that something should/should not be done, believed or banned. A policy
claim includes the indicating words should/should not, ought to/ought not to, or must/must not.
These must be arguable. Ex.
1. Our senators should make themselves busy in crafting bills that aim for the welfare of the
people.
2. The government must take brave decision to eradicate oligarchy in the country.
3. Our parameter on choosing our country's leaders during election must rely on the heart and
the capacity of the candidate, not on his/her wealth.
4. We ought to be law-abiding citizens not because we commit to the government but because
we are actually a part of the government.
 Claims of value is making personal judgements over something and therefore are subjective.
These could either be an approval or disapproval. These give assessments as to desirable or
undesirable, good or bad, right or wrong, just or unjust, moral or immoral, etc.
This type of claim is generally focused, but not limited to:
1. Aesthetic Value - the concept of beauty and arts and how it uniquely appeals to someone.
Examples:
A written poem is the sweetest gift you can give to someone.
A mother's lullaby is but an amazing sound to a child.
Performances in theaters are more entertaining than those in films
2. Moral Value - the concept of what is right and wrong according to certain norms of morality.
Example:
1. Using harsh words in printed novels to humiliate an allegorical character is immoral.