PATTERNS OF PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT

READING AND WRITING SKILLS

 LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of lesson, you are expected to:
Compare and contrast patterns of written texts across disciplines
(N11/12RWS-IIIbf-3)
a. narration (EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.1)
b. description (EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.2)
c. definition (EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.3)
d. exemplification / classification (EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.4)
e. comparison and contrast (EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.5)
f. cause and effect (EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.6)
g. problem – solution (EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.7)
h. persuasion (EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.8)
ACTIVITY 1. K-W-L CHART. COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING KWL CHART.
 PATTERNS OF
PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT
 DEFINITION
Using definition to develop an idea helps to
clarify and explain concepts b answering
the question “ What does it mean?” This
pattern explains the information through
the use of illustrations, examples, and
descriptions. It may also include one or
more different patterns.

DEFINITION
 Take note of the term to be defined and
the detailed explanation of the term, as these
are the most important parts of this pattern.
You can also use a spider map to better
understand a definition text. The following
signal words will help you identify this pattern
: is defined as; as defined; means; refers
to; to define; to illustrate; etc.
 DEFINITION
Sample text :
 Social engineering is defined as any method which
tricks people to share personal information through the
use of technology. The ‘social’ component in this
scheme means that there is reliance on various
psychological tricks and on the gullibility of users
rather than technical hacking. Social engineering also
refers to various malicious acts online, such as
phishing, spamming, and pretexting.
 EXEMPLIFICATION
 This pattern presents the general statement and then provides specific and
concrete examples to expound on the main idea. It is used t provide an example of
something.
 Pay attention to the main idea and the specific examples, as these are the
most important parts of this pattern. You can use a spider map to better
understand an exemplification text. The following signal words will also help you in
identifying exemplifications.
after all for instance namely that is
as an example 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
 EXEMPLIFICATION
Sample text :
 While the internet offers so many benefits to man, it
also has its downsides. One of these is phishing, which
refers to the act of obtaining personal information, such as
passwords and credit card details, through online means. In
other words, phishing is a form of cybercrime. As an
example, let us consider the case of Mr. X. He receive an
email stating that his Gmail account has been compromised
and that he needed to click a link to update personal
information. If Mr. X clicks on the link, his personal information
will be illegally acquired by cybercriminals.
DESCRIPTION ( SENSORY AND SPATIAL)
A descriptive pattern basically provides
details on the idea by using either a
sensory or spatial pattern. Through a
sensory patter, ideas are arranged
based on one or all of the five senses. A
spatial pattern, on the other hand,
arranges ideas by location or physical
space.
DESCRIPTION ( SENSORY AND SPATIAL)

 The most important elements of this

pattern are the types of description used,
the clustering of details, and the
progression of description. A concept map
can be used to understand descriptive
texts. The following signal words will also
help in identifying such pattern.
DESCRIPTION ( SENSORY AND SPATIAL)
Signal Words for Spatial Pattern or Visual
Description
above around between in front of onto
across away beyond inside opposite
adjacent from by into to
to
against
back of down near outside
along behind farther off over
alongside below here on throughou
amidst beneath in on top of t
beside to the
DESCRIPTION ( SENSORY AND SPATIAL)
 Sample text :
 A laptop is one of the greatest inventions of the modern era. It is a
lightweight device that can save a vast amount of information. The screen,
the touchpad, speakers, keyboard, battery, and AC adapter are the basic
parts of the laptop. The most noticeable part of the laptop is its screen, which
is responsible for displaying information. Another major component is the
keyboard. On it are keys needed to enter data into the computer. Near the
keyboard you will find a smooth, rectangular surface which acts like a
desktop computer mouse – this is the touchpad. At the bottom part of the
rectangular space, you will see buttons that operate like a mouse button.
Below the keyboard and the touchpad, built into the laptop itself are the
speakers which allows you to hear sound and music. Found at the back of
the keyboard is the battery; it serves as the lifeline of the computer. Finally, a
laptop also comes with an AC adapter which charges the battery and serves
 CHRONOLOGY/PROCEDURE
A chronological pattern organizes ideas or
events according to time. It can either be
in the form of narration or a process. A
narration sequences events in the order in
which they occurred in time, while a
process organizes details based on stages
or steps.
 CHRONOLOGY/PROCEDURE
 The most essential parts of this pattern are
the main idea, major dates and events such as
the final outcome, major steps/stages, and, of
course, the order of presentation. To better
comprehend a text that follows a chronological
or procedural pattern, a chain of events or a
cycle can be used. The following signal words
will also help you in identifying this pattern.
CHRONOLOGY/PROCEDURE
Signal words for Chronology
about before in the prior to Tomorro
after during meantim second w
afterwar eventuall e soon Until
ds y
later then When
as soon finally
as first meanwhi till yesterda
at immediat le today y
at ely next
this/that next
 CHRONOLOGY/PROCEDURE
Sample text:
Narration :
Ondoy began to develop from an active low pressure area to a tropical
cyclone on September 24, 2009. The following day, PAGASA raised storm
signals all over the Philippine archipelago. At that point, signal no. 2 was
raised in Catanduanes and other parts of Luzon. By Saturday morning,
reports of flooding started to pour in. Meanwhile, President Arroyo declared a
state of calamity in Metro Manila. Immediately after President Arroyo’s
declaration, various government agencies began the rescue and relief
operations. As soon as Typhoon Ondoy exited the Philippines, more and more
relief and rescue operations were conducted.
 CHRONOLOGY/PROCEDURE
Sample text:
Process:
During flooding, one thing that may probably
save your life is an improvised flotation device.
You can make one using your pants. First, knot
off the leg holes of your pants. Then, hold the
open waist and swing the pants around to fill the
legs with air. Promptly knot off the waist to trap
the air and hold the pants underwater so that the
COMPARISON – CONTRAST
A comparison-and-contrast pattern organizes
ideas based on how events, places, people,
things, and concepts are similar to or different
from one another. There are two ways on how
ideas can be arranged : separately, which
involves describing one item first followed by the
second item; or side-by-side, which means
discussing both items based on each point of
comparison.
COMPARISON – CONTRAST
 Concentrate on the most important parts
of a comparison-contrast pattern: the
purpose of comparison, points of
comparison, and the actual similarities and
differences of the items being compared. Try
using a Venn diagram or a compare/contrast
matrix to better understand this pattern of
development.
COMPARISON – CONTRAST
Signal Words for Comparing

also equally in the same similarly

as way to compare
both in a similar like
fashion likewise
in comparison
COMPARISON – CONTRAST
Signal Words for Contrasting
although despite instead otherwise
and yet even so however still
as opposed to
even though nevertheless the fact
but
conversely in contrast nonetheless remains
counter to in spite of on the unlike
in the contrary whereas
meantime on the other yet
hand
 COMPARISON – CONTRAST
 Sample Text:
 Are you not sure yet which phone to buy? To help you decide, tis review
will inspect the basic similarities and differences of the flagship phones of two
giant companies : Apple’s iPhone6 and Samsung’s Galaxy S5. Both brag to be
the best smart phones in the market to date. While these state-of-the art
phones have similarities in the form of their sleek design, multi-touch touch
screen, and multimedia features, they have their distinctive features as well.
First, Galaxy S5 has a larger screen at 5.1 inches as compared to iPhone 6’s
4.7 inches. A for the operating system, iPhone 6 uses iOS(8.x) while S5 uses
Android (5.0,4.4.2). In terms of the camera, S5 has a 2.1- megapixel front-
facing camera which is higher than iPhone’s 1.2 megapixels. Unlike S5,
iPhone’s battery is not user-replaceable and has a shorter talk time, but
when it comes to built-in storage, iPhone 6 outperforms S5. No that you
know the basic differences of the two phones, you can decide!
 CLASSIFICATION AND DIVISION
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. Make sure to always
double-check whether each item is undeniably
part of a certain category. Avoid oversimplifying
just so you may be able to assign something to
CLASSIFICATION AND DIVISION
 Take note of the superordinate (name of
the larger group) ideas, the subordinate
(subcategories at a larger group) ideas,
and the relationship between them, since
these are the most important parts of this
pattern. The following signal words will also
help you in identifying such a pattern.
CLASSIFICATION AND DIVISION
Signal Words for Classification and
Division
another classified one kind the last
another as thefirst group
kind final type category the next
part
 CLASSIFICATION AND DIVISION
Sample text:
 Earthquakes can be classified into three main types
based on the plate movements. The first type is known as a
convergent boundary. Also known as destructive plate
boundary, this type of earthquake happens when two tectonic
plates move toward one another and collide. The second type
of earthquake is called the divergent boundary. During this
type of earthquake, two plates are forced to move away from
each other resulting in a rift zone. The last type is called the
conservative plate boundary or transform fault. During this
type of earthquake, two tectonic plates slide past one another.
CAUSE AND EFFECT

 A cause and effect pattern organizes details

based on the cause, the reason, and the
result or consequences of a certain
phenomenon. This pattern may discuss both
the causes and effects, the causes only, or
the effects only.
CAUSE AND EFFECT


CAUSE AND EFFECT


CAUSE AND EFFECT
When reading this type of pattern, focus on and take note of the
following elements: the purpose of the text, the relationship between causes
and effects, and the potential causal fallacies or illogical arguments. The
following signal words will help you in recognizing these patterns.
Signal Words for Causes

as for in view of ( the owing to (the
because (of the for the reason fact) fact)
fact)
being that
that inasmuch as seeing that
due to ( the fact in that one reason since
that)
CAUSE AND EFFECT

Signal Words for Effects

accordingly consequently in consequence so that
as a for this reason so therefore
consequence hence so much (so) thus
as a result (of that
this)
because (of
this)
 CAUSE AND EFFECT
The advancement in technology and economy has
created major changes in modern society. One of these
changes is globalization. As we know, globalization has
affected

the world in many ways. First, it served as a catalysts
to worldwide trading, thus allowing countries to access foreign
products. Although this had positive effects, it also posed a
real threat to the merchandise of local traders. Second,
globalization affected the financial market.
 CAUSE AND EFFECT
As a result, different countries had more access to funds,
and the exchange in national currencies dramatically
increased. Finally, globalization also led to the privatization of
various facilities, such as public health institutions. These

institutions were being privatized due to the idea that the
private sector can better manage and provide health services.
In consequence, health policies become more and more of a
commodity on a global scale.
PROBLEM – SOLUTION

 A problem-solution pattern organizes ideas into problems

and proposed solutions. The problem section usually
includes the what, who, when, where, 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. Note down the
parts when you encounter a problem-solution text.
PROBLEM – SOLUTION
 To better comprehend a text that follows a
problem-solution patter, a problem-solution map can
be used. The following signal words will also help
you in identifying this pattern
Signal Words for Problem Solution

but nonetheless one solution is the problem

first , second one reason for one way is the solution
the
 PROBLEM-SOLUTION
Sample Text :
Today, most of the energy resources we have are
generated from coal, oil, and natural gas. However, these
resources are limited. If continuously consumed at an
alarming rate, fossil fuels necessary for generating power
to operate vehicles and factories will run out before long.
Nonetheless, this problem can be resolved through the
use of alternative sources of energy and conservative
efforts. First, using alternative sources of energy such as
solar energy and fusion energy would lessen pollution.
 PROBLEM-SOLUTION
Sample Text :
Though there are some potential risks in using fusion
energy, these risks can be mitigated by implementing
strict safety measures. The second solution that
governments can adopt is the enhancement of
conservation efforts. To do this, governments need to
make the public more aware of the benefits of
conservation, as well as ways of conserving energy, such
as recycling. Laws can also be passed to mandate the
public and all stakeholders to recycle energy.
PERSUASION
A persuasion pattern organizes ideas to show how
a set of evidence leads to a logical conclusion or
argument. Specifically, this pattern presents the issue,
the position, and the supporting evidence that
supports the position. Make sure to check these three
essential elements while reading a persuasion text.
PERSUASION
Signal Words for Emphasizing a Point

again In that case to truly

for this indeed emphasize with this in
reason to repeat mind
in fact
PERSUASION
Signal Words for Concluding and Summarizing
accordingly consequent in brief inevitably in a
all in all ly in on the nutshell
as a result
due to conclusion whole therefore
as I have
said finally in short since thus
in any in in essence to sum up
event summary
PERSUASION
Signal Words for Conceding a Point
admittedly it is true obviously true
assuredly that of course undoubtedly
certainly needless to to be sure unquestiona
granted say bly
no doubt
PERSUASION

Sample Text:
Euthanasia or mercy killing has been a widely debated
issue. It is an act to end a person’s life to alleviate the
suffering brought about by a terminal or grave illness.
While it may be supported by some, mercy killing is not
only an unethical medical practice, it is also a crime. After
all, on the most basic level, euthanasia still takes a life.
PERSUASION
Sample Text:
In fact, majority of the countries in the world,
including those that have legalized it, consider it as
homicide. Aside from being a crime, euthanasia is
unethical in the medical context because it violates the
principle of “primum non nocore” which means “first, do
no harm”. In their code of ethics, doctors have the
responsibility of saving lives, not destroying them, which is
why euthanasia can never be acceptable.