Patterns of Development
Sciences
• The sciences deal with information that is based on verifiable data
gathered through research or experimentation. Scientific writing
requires precision in the use of terminology, simple and direct
language, objectivity, and clarity.
• Example:
• Fill a beaker with 100 mL of tap water and another beaker with
seawater of the same amount. Then place them on a hot plate. After
two minutes, measure the temperature of the water in each beaker
using an alcohol thermometer.
Humanities
• Humanities usually deals with analyses and interpretations of works
or texts. Writing in this discipline uses a subjective tone which reveals
the writer’s thoughts, opinions, attitudes, and feelings on a topic.
• Example:
• The Little Prince is truly a masterpiece! It centers around the
protagonist’s quest for the meaning of life.
Business
• Writing in business aims a specific audience to perform an action. It
uses straightforward and concise sentences that are structured or
formatted for optimal readability.
• Example:
• I am writing to request a four-day leave of absence. I intend to go on
vacation from March 1 to March 4, 2016.
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.
Definition
• 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.
