Patterns of Development in Writing across Disciplines

1. NARRATION
It is the most basic pattern of development. When a writer puts down an idea, he is then considered
as the narrator of the literary work.
Narration is a pattern of development which ultimately describes how, when, and where an event
or occurrence actually happened. The narration virtually constructs the world as the reader see it from the
text. From how the people think, speak, and work in a particular setting at the time of a day, and by which
sequence of events are presented; these are all conventions of narration.

EXAMPLE:
“It was late spring the last time we saw Ross. He was standing at the edge of the hill, and he never
looked up even though we were sure he knew we were there. There was a bunch of flowers clutched to his
fist, but there was no reason for him to be standing there. We knew that Carrie wasn’t coming to see him.
But he stood there anyway, waiting, even as the afternoon sunlight deepened towards the evening. He
must have been standing there for hours.”

There are certain features that can be found in most narratives and are utilized to further present
the setting or scenario for a reader. Each feature presents a different aspect of the narration, but the sum of
which paints the entire vision in the mind of the reader as the story takes place. Without these features, the
narrative would become stilted, vague, and generally incomprehensible.

The following are the components that build up a story in itself.

1. Logical Actions. These actions are conceivably happening within the narrative. These logical
actions are considered every movements within the plot or the narrative that drive the characters
forward, be it during a dialogue, or within a scene. It allows the reader to visualize precisely what
each person in the story is doing at any given time.
2. Way of Narration. This refers to how the writer presents the story. By describing more details and
actions taking place within the span of time, the writer is able to pace the viewpoint of the reader.
3. Terminology. It places emphasis on the fact that concepts are critical in narration. When narrating,
writers must choose how to address term that is either concrete or abstract, and specific or general
observation. Once writers know which ones they want to use, they are able to paint a more
appropriate setting.

Concrete terms are words that identify things, places, and events that can be measured and
observed. These terms often have physical manifestation in our world, such as spoon, dog, and house. The
meaning of concrete terms is constant throughout time.
In contrast, abstract terms refer to ideas or concepts that are intangible, such as the concept of love,
freedom, and feminism. The meaning of abstract terms can vary from context to context, such as when freedom
is used to denote being “free of responsibilities”, as well as “free from bondage or slavery.”
In addition, general terms are commonly used to denote groups, while specific terms refer to an
individual component of that group. For example, the word furniture, as a general term, can refer to a
number of items such as cabinets, desks, and chairs, which now serve as the specific terms.
Specific terms can be further broken down to identify a more specific item. For example, from the
word furniture, we can break it down to tables, and then study tables. The image in the reader’s mind becomes
clearer as we become more specific.

2. DESCRIPTION
It is a pattern of development which goes into details about a specific object, person, or location, in
order to firmly set its appearance into the readers’ minds. This is when the readers get to see with their
minds what the writer is trying to present before them. The guideline to remember with a description is
that it answers the question: “What does it look like?” or “What are its characteristics?”
Without description, the text would be incomplete. Hence, the reader would have difficulty
grasping the appearance of a concept, whether it is a time, place, object, or person. These concrete
descriptions make the readers visualize the situations more thoroughly. As a result, the reader becomes
more immersed with what they are reading, and with every detail, everything becomes more realistic to
them.
EXAMPLE:
“A friend of mine is an herbalist who manages to keep one foot in the 16th century and the other in
the 21stwithout ever missing a beat. Jeri knows, respects, and honors the mystery, magic, and the wonder
of nature, which she refers to as Mother.” When she collects herbs in the wild to create medicinal for herself,
gathering the good that Mother has so generously bestowed on her, she becomes a willing participant in
her own healing, her search for wholeness. When she chooses dill, tarragon, or rosemary to flavor a meal
she’s cooking, she contributes to her own nourishment, well-being, and pleasure. Her love of herbs is
tangible expression of self-nurturance.”

-From “Rosemary for Remembrance:

Sowing Herbal Hopes and Wishes”
By Sarah Ban Breathnach
3. DEFINITION
The goal of a definition is to ensure that the reader understands unfamiliar terms used in a story.
This occurs when there is an object or fact in the story that the writer does not want to explain through
context clues. It gives no room for misinterpretation and can be used for reference for the rest of the text. It
is much the same as how a dictionary presents a specific term, and then carefully defines it as it is used
within a scope of language.
Definition is found within a text, regardless of whether it is creative or formal, can sound very
much like an encyclopedia excerpt. Pertinent facts surrounding a term are described to solidify the word
and set its significance into the readers’ minds. It will always be linked back to the main discourse of the
text in order to amplify its significance to the overall content.
Oftentimes, a definition paragraph is used as a form of foreshadowing where it becomes vital to
the plot later on. This is deliberate in order to bring the reader’s attention to it and to further give relevance
to the story.
There are two varieties of definition paragraphs. These are scientific and subjective.
1. Scientific Definition. A scientific definition is very important particularly when it comes to
complex and technical terms, such as sciences where the terminology is specific and extensive. To
write accurate scientific definitions, writers would have to be objective and use analogies that are
easily identify for the readers who may not have background information on the topic. This also
refers to defining concepts in the most factual way, which is often used in scientific, proper, or real
world facts.
Example:
The Coming of Age ceremony in Japan, also known as a seijinshiki, is a group ceremony wherein
adolescents who turn twenty years old (no longer considered minors, and therefore ready to take on the
responsibilities of adult life) gather together on the second Monday of January. They hear from many
distinguished speakers and at the end of the ceremony, small gifts are handed out. Many of these young
people wear traditional Japanese clothing appropriate for the traditional event.

2. Subjective Definition. A subjective definition can be used to define objects in a more personal
way. It is usually derived from the author’s own experiences and opinion. This form of definition
is often used by a writer to state something form the point of view of the characters or in relation
to the setting. This definition may apply only within a clearly given context. Definition is by far the
most prolific in science fiction and fantasy pieces.
Example:
The Tyrannosaurus Rex was the coolest of all dinosaurs. I love how other dinosaurs would run in
fear if they saw the T-Rex nearby.

While there are different types of a definition paragraph, the author must still identify the term
that is being defined so that it is clear to the reader what it means. The term could be emphasized by the
following:
 Characteristics or features. This can include physical features and behaviors, such as the physical
features of an animal or plant.
 Function. It defines how something works, what it is made for, and what it can do, such as defining
an automobile as a vehicle that runs on four wheels and can transport people from one place to
another.
 Effect. This discusses the effects of the term and how it is useful in certain subjects. For example,
the definition of hypothesis clearly explains how vital it is in transforming energy.
 Origin. Sometimes, it helps to define something by going back to its origin. Such is the case when
you provide a history of an object which therefore puts into context its current meaning. For
example, the term wimp comes from the word wimple, which is used by medieval women in Europe.
This can denote that a wimp is someone who simply bows down to more superior beings, such as
men, because in medieval Europe, women are not allowed to go against the wishes of men.
 4. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST
This pattern of development typically occurs between two entities by presenting their similarities
and differences based on their characteristics and features. It simply identifies what makes one thing
different from all of the rest, or what traits it shares with all the others. The focus may aim towards the
thing being compared against the rest of the crowd, or it may be what makes the rest uncommon to one
another.
Comparison and contrast also applies to a comparison of only two things. It could be a previous
reiteration being compared to a newer, more improved version. It could also be a paragraph detailing
similarities between two objects form different origins. The general aim is to answer the questions: “What
makes these things different?” “What do they have in common?”
EXAMPLE:
“Because of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the archetypal literary vampire was born. Destroyed only by a
stake to the heart or decapitation (in early stages), averse to silver, holy water, sunlight, and crucifixes.
Living in extreme solitude and creeping out at dark at night, the original vampires were beasts of horror.
However, the vampires of Anne Rice’s vampire chronicles mythology were some of the first modern
vampires to begin setting themselves apart. They were a fashionable, social, ancient brood; intensely
passionate in all things, and in many cases, painfully human or trying to be, enticing the audience to fall in
love with them.”
Using the example above, the modern incarnation is compared against its predecessor, the
archetype. It explains the similarities between the old and the new, and their differences from the old myth.

5. CAUSE AND EFFECT

There is an adage which says, “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.” This is very true
in this pattern of development by which the plot is driven. It is not merely the characters in a story or one
setting that drives the narrative forward, but it could be something that occurs previously which then in
turn causes another event to occur.
This is often used to present character motivations. It answers questions such as, “What caused
this to happen?” “What happened after that?” and “Why did it happen?”
Typically, in a single paragraph, one is more emphasized than another. Particularly in novels
where the cause could begin simply, and then after a series of set offs, a chain reaction of events follow,
driving the novel’s plot forward. In academic or formal writing, a report also uses cause and effect. They
begin with the effect of an incident and explain to the public the cause.

EXAMPLE:
In recent decades, cities have grown so large that now about 50% of the Earth’s population lives in
urban areas. These are several reasons for this occurrence. First, the increasing industrialization of the
nineteenth century resulted in the creation of many factory jobs, which tended to be located in cities. These
jobs, with their promise of a better material life, attracted many people from rural areas. Second, there were
many schools established to educate the children of the new factory laborers. The promise of a better
education persuaded many families to leave farming communities and move to the cities. Finally, as the
cities grew, people established places of leisure, entertainment, and culture, such as, sports stadiums,
theatres, and museums. For many people, these facilities made city life appear more interesting, and
therefore drew them away from rural communities.

6. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION

A problem is being presented and a solution. Why it has become a problem is also discussed,
leading to a conclusion highlighting the connection between the problem and solution. A problem in
general is an unsatisfactory situation that causes troubles or difficulties. Therefore, it needs a solution so
that the troubles or difficulties are removed.

EXAMPLE:
“So there I was standing with no car, no shoes, no phone, and absolutely no one to ask help from.
What else are you going to do when stranded at the side of a desert road with the nearest town not for
another eleven miles? You hoof it, of course. And well, seeing as how I had no choice, I decided that going
somewhere was better than standing there under the boiling sun and preparing to die. So I walked. It was
just eleven miles, how bad could it be?
The problem could range from a minor to a major one. One definition of a plot could be that it is
the overall “problem”, and that the rest of the events throughout the text is a search for a “solution."
 7. CLASSIFICATION
Classification divides things into groups, classes, or categories. It organizes ideas into divisions
based on the criteria or standards. Classification takes one large concept and divides it into individual
pieces. A nice result from this type of writing is that it helps the reader to understand a complex topic by
focusing on its smaller parts.
EXAMPLE:
“Each Hogwarts House tends to favor a particular type of student to admit into its space.
Gryffindors are brave, Hufflepuffs are just, Ravenclaws are clever, and Slytherines are ambitious. Students
who have qualities that fall under two or more of the selected qualities of a House tends to become a
“hatsall” while sitting under the Sorting Hat, as it tries to decide which house to put the student in.”

8. EXEMPLIFICATION

Exemplification provides examples and illustrations in order to further clarify or explain the
concept or subject matter. It present the general statement and then provides specific or concrete examples
to expound the main idea. Transitional devices include words of illustration. It is one of the most common
and effective ways to show or explain an idea or point. In this pattern of development, the main idea is
explained by giving a series of detailed examples.
EXAMPLE:
Movies often distort the image of real life. For example is the crime drama. Such film is about
finding the criminal; as soon as he is arrested, the story is over. In real life, however, little of policeman’s
time is spent on dramatic confrontations with desperate criminals. Love story is another typical example.
Lovers can never get together easily. There must be someone coming out to stop them, and they, without
exception, will never give up. At the end is always a wedding ceremony. This is too far from realistic.

9. PERSUASION

There are instances when the writer’s opinions may seem unorthodox or unusual, and the writer
would then have to resort to persuasion to convince the reader of his message. This is done by utilizing
persuasion as a pattern of development, as it convinces the reader of the text’s message or platform. It
provides strong data that backs up the writer’s opinions which then leaves little room for contradictory
opinion.
This discourse, which seeks to influence the readers to take some action, is also meant to present
information that will cause the reader to believe the justification of the message found in the text.
Oftentimes, this process, as used on a personal level, is meant to discuss the writer’s opinion on the subject.
A text that presents the opinion of the writer is considered “persuasion”, which convinces the reader of the
writer’s point of view.
Example:
“Dear Linda, thank you for your letter. I must say that I disagree with your view. Vaccinations are
actually extremely necessary part of keeping everyone, including your own children, safe from disease.
The herd immunity that protects us all is only strong as long as everyone continues ensuring that their
children are vaccinated. There are children who, for medical reasons, cannot receive vaccination, and
therefore are relying on the immunity of the herd. To not vaccinate your children would be risking many
danger to diseases that the human race has nearly eradicated.

In the example above, the writer supplies his opinion, which is backed up with facts or information
relevant to the topic that has caused him to think this way. Through this, the readers could be persuaded
to think of things in the same way as the writer.