Lesson 4:

Patterns of
DEVELOPMENT
 INTRODUC
TION

Hi dear learners!
You already know how to select and organize information. For this lesson, you will
learn about the patterns of development and how knowing these common patterns
will help you as a writer to both develop and organize information in your essays.

OBJECTIVE
S

By the end of the lesson, you will have been able to

 Identify the different patterns of development
 Recognize the transitions that signal each pattern of development
 Write paragraphs using different patterns of development.
 PRELIMINARY
ACTIVITY

Study the statements below. What did you observe about on how the ideas were
presented? Come on! Share what you have noticed. The class will be very glad to
hear your insights.

There are more than 7000 islands in the Philippines that are rich from nature,
culture and tradition. I always wanted to visit places like Ilocos, Batanes, and
Cebu.
There are more than 7000 islands in the Philippines that are rich from nature,
culture and tradition. First, I will visit Ilocos and go to Vigan to taste its famous
delicacies. After eating such delicious food in Ilocos, I will enjoy the breathtaking
view in Batanes then I will go to Cebu to visit historical places.
There are more than 7000 islands in the Philippines that are rich from nature,
culture and tradition. I always wanted to visit places like Ilocos, Batanes, and
Cebu. You should also try to visit those places in the future and be amazed with
what they can offer.

Have you noticed a pattern on how the information above was

presented? Wow! Good observation. We call that as pattern of
development. How does pattern of development works? Let us unfold the answer as
we move forward to our lesson.

DISCUSS
ION
PATTERNS OF DEVELOPMENT

1. 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. Remember to give specific
characteristics of what you are defining.

Example,
“A solar eclipse refers to an astronomical event during which the Moon seems to
cover the Sun.”
Signal Words for Definition
defined as means to define as defined refers to to illustrate

2. 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 and illustrations in order to further
clarify the concept or subject matter - presents the general
 statement and then provides specific and concrete examples to expound on the
main idea

Signal Words for Exemplification

after all for instance namely that is
in other words put another way to be specific consider the following
in particular specifically to clarify for example
in short stated differently to illustrate as an example
Example,
Dogs are domesticated animals that have been living with humans for generations.
Dogs can be classified in a number of different ways. For example, they can be
classified by breed. Examples of different breeds include beagles, basset hounds,
poodles and countless others as defined by the American Kennel Club (AKC). They
can also be classified by their role in the lives of their masters and the work they do.
For example, a dog might be a family pet, a working dog, a show dog, or a hunting
dog. In many cases, dogs are defined both by their breed and their role. For
example, a dog could be a beagle that is a family pet.

3. Description - the pattern of development which goes into

details about a specific object, person, or location, in
order to firmly set its appearance What does it look like?
What are its characteristics? It has a clear focus, sense of
purpose, uses sensory details and precise words to present
details in a logical order.

Example,
“The Olympic symbol consists of five interlocking rings. The rings are colored black
blue, green, red, and yellow.” “The kitchen table is rectangular. Made of a two-inch-
thick piece of oak, its top is covered with a cloth patterned in dark red and blue
squares against a white background.”
Signal Words for Description
Above across between beyond in front of onto
away from inside opposite to adjacent to back of by into
outside over near down behind below
against along here in on on top of under
to the right throughout beneath alongside amidst farther

4. Chronology- Also called Time Order, Narration or Sequence of Events, details

support the main idea as a list of events told
in the order that they happened. It answers
questions such as “When did it happen?” “In
what order did it happen?

Example,
“Many of the racial and ethnic groups that live in the Hawaiian Islands today
arrived at different times in history.” “The death of Mac's mother created for him
a shocked disbelief, then a personal loneliness and grief that led to declining
health.”

Signal Words for Chronology

after, afterward, as soon in/on (date), last, later,
as, at last, at that time, next, now, meanwhile,
 before, during, eventually, shortly, since, then,
finally, first, second, until, when
following, formerly,
immediately,
5. Listing- also called series, addition or
enumeration, a series of items, facts, reasons,
examples, features or characteristics that
support the main idea is listed in whatever
order the author prefers. It answers questions
such as “What examples support the main
idea?”

Example,
“Managers experience a number of different personnel problems that must be
solved before a department can work effectively.” “There are several different
theories about the origin of the Moon.”

Signal Words for Listing

also, and, another, in fact, largest, least,
a number of, as well as, moreover, most important,
too, besides, first, one, plus, second, several,
for example, for instance, the following
furthermore, in addition,
6. Comparison and Contrast - organizes ideas based on
how events, places, people, things, and concepts are
similar to or different from one another.

Example,
Although I raised Marcee and Obbie from puppies, they
have completely diverse personalities. Obbie is a six-year-
old, male, toy Pomeranian whereas Marcee is a one year
old, female, Boston terrier. Obbie is small and soft, unlike
Marcee who has bristly hair and is much bigger. Marcee
insists on sleeping on the bed, under the covers every night. On the other hand,
Obbie will only sleep on the floor, under the bed. Obbie is tremendously loyal and
uptight; however, Marcee is hyper and friendly to anyone she meets or sees. Around
other dogs, Marcee cowers to the larger dog, yet Obbie will always stand his ground,
never giving up until he is scolded. Given that they were both treated the same way
all their life, it is hard to believe that they are so different in everything they do.

Signal words for Signal words for Contrasting

Comparing
equally although the fact remains
in the same way despite but
similarly, as instead in contrast nonetheless
in a similar fashion otherwise unlike conversely in
like and in the meantime,
to compare both yet on the other hand, yet whereas
in comparison even so counter to
likewise, however even though
still as spite of on the contrary
opposed to nevertheless
7. Classification and Division-this pattern divides a topic into parts or groups and
separately discusses each. It answers question such as
“How do the parts work with the whole?” “What
characteristics classify the concept or subject?”

Example,
“A first date can end up being categorized as successful, a
clingy, a boastful or awkward.” "There are three kinds of book owners. The first has
all the standard sets and best sellers. The second has a great many book. The third
has a few books or many.”

Signal Words for Classification and Division

categories, classified as, classes, divisions, elements, features, groups,
classifications, comprises, composed of, includes, kinds, types, varieties, ways
different stages of,

8. Cause and Effect - explains why something

happens or what results a particular event produces.

Example,
“Public schools should require students to wear
uniforms because they save parents money, deemphasize fashion, and create school
spirit.” “The large movement of people from rural to urban areas has major effects
on a city’s ability to provide housing, employment, and adequate sanitation services”
Signal words for Cause Signal words for Effect
 as for in view of (the fact) accordingly
owing to (the fact) consequently
because (of the fact) in consequence
for the reason that so that as
in as much as a consequence
seeing that being that for this reason
in that one reason since so therefore
due to (the fact that) as a result (of this)
hence so much (so)
that thus because (of this)

9. Problem-Solution - focuses on either a problem or

solution in a particular area or situation.

Example,
“Since pollution has a detrimental impact on modern living
standards, a key solution is increased recycling of waste
products.” “Many children suffer longterm consequences of
bullying. However, the problem can be remedied through a three-pronged approach:
educating the parents, encouraging a community atmosphere, and implementing a
peer mediation program.”
Signal Words for Problem-Solution
but the problem one solution is first,
second the solution one way is
nonetheless one reason for the
10.Persuasion - convinces readers to agree to an argument
or claim about a particular topic.
Example,
“Governments today do two things that I object to in particular. First, they
encourage introspection, telling us that unless men examine their testicles, unless we
keep a check on our cholesterol level, then we are not being responsible citizens. You
are letting down yourself, your wife, your kids, everybody. We are encouraged
continually to worry about our health. As a consequence, public health initiatives
have become, as far as I can tell, a threat to public health. Secondly, governments
promote the value of health seeking. We are meant always to be seeking health for
this or that condition. The primary effect of this, I believe, is to make us all feel more
ill.”
- Our Unhealthy Obsession and Sickness (by Frank Furedi)

Signal Words for Emphasizing

Again in that case in fact to emphasize truly
for this reason indeed to repeat with this in mind

Signal Words for Concluding and Summarizing

accordingly consequently in brief inevitably in a nutshell
all in all due to in conclusion on the whole
therefore as a result finally in short since
thus as I have said in any event in summary in essence to
sum up

Signal Words for Conceding a Point

admittedly it is true that obviously true assuredly
needless to say of course undoubtedly certainly no doubt
to be sure unquestionably granted

ACTIVIT
Y
 Write one paragraph consisting of 5 sentences for each of the following patterns of
development using the following topics in the box. One topic per pattern of
development.

Should phones be banned in school? Your dream house

Dangerous habits Cooking sunny side up egg
Effects of studying hard Living in the province and in the city
Volcanic eruption Most effective ways of studying
Different Music genres Homo Sapiens

1. Chronological 6. Classification or division

2. Descriptive 7. Definition
3. Comparison-contrast 8. Exemplification
4. Cause-effect 9. Problem-solution
5. Listing 10. Persuasion

As you interpret the information, knowing the

patterns of development, will help you follow
ideas easily and understand a text better. You can
develop your paragraphs in any pattern that suits
your writing purpose.