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Exemplification
Exemplification is a pattern of development in writing
that provides vivid and specific examples to add
more information that will support and solidify the
main statement. Also, it makes the general
statement specific and easy to understand.
Exemplification is usually introduced by the
expressions: for example, for instance, such as, and
take the case of. Verbs which are used in this
connection include: illustrate, clarify, and elucidate.
Exemplification
Example: 1. Waste material, such as old rags, cotton
waste, paper, etc. should be moved from the serving
area. “old rags”, “cotton waste”, and “paper” are
examples of waste materials. 2. Many proverbs
exhibit special proverbial structures which no normal
grammar would describe as complete grammatical
sentences. We find for instance: Like father, like son,
Better late than never. “Like father, like son” and
“Better late than never” are examples of proverbs
which have a ‘special proverbial structure’.
Classification
In writing classification, you divide members of a
group of people, places, or things that share similar
characteristics. The brain works in an order. It is
natural that when presented with various concepts,
an individual organizes them in proper groupings. In
short, classification is dividing things and putting
them in groups according to their category. Some
useful expressions for classification paragraphs are
the following: a kind of, a type of, be divided into,
falls under, belongs to, a part of, fits into, grouped
with, related to, and associated with.
Classification
Example: A farmer who decides to concentrate on viable products can
choose from four general types of plants: edible, ornamental, raw-
material, or shade. Edible plants include grains like rice and corn, fruits
like santol and mango, vegetables such as pechay or cabbage, or
spices like pepper. On the other hand, ornamentals are all kinds of
flowering and non-flowering plants used for decoration and
landscaping. There are also plants that provide raw materials for other
products. Examples of these types are rubber, palm, abaca, maguey,
and ramie. The coconut may also belong to this type although the fruit
is edible. The last are shade trees, grown primarily to reforest barren
areas of mountains. However, some of them are used as ornamentals.
Ipil-ipil and narra are the most common shade trees. All these types of
plants can be grown profitably, depending upon the soil and climate
found in the area.
Comparison and Contrast
In making a comparison, similarities are
emphasized. In making a contrast,
differences are pointed out. This technique in
developing a paragraph either compares
features between two or more persons,
objects or concepts that are similar, or
contrasts features that are different. A
paragraph can be developed by using
comparison and contrast or by using either
one
There are two ways to
organize comparison and
contrast:
Block arrangement
Discusses one subject before discussing another subject.
This is used when you want to elaborate more on the
similarities of the two subjects. Use a lot of compare cue words
such as like, similar to, also, etc.
Point-by-point arrangement
Discusses only the similarities first then more on the
differences after. This arrangement emphasized more on the
differences using cue words like differs, unlike, and on the
other hand.
Block arrangement
Example Paragraph 1: Faith can be compared
to swimming; If you struggle, you will sink; If
you rest, you will float. When you pray, don’t
beg or struggle, simply rest and believe in
Him. That is how faith works. Notice how faith
is compared to swimming. Does it make the
word ‘faith’ more understandable?
Point-by-point arrangement
Example Paragraph 2: Cows vs. Whales You may automatically
assume that cows and whales do not share anything in
common, however they do. One of the ways that they are
similar is that both cows and whales are considered a food
source. It seems that cows and whales are in the same situation
in terms of they are both eaten by humans, but there are also
some major differences. First, many cows are slaughtered
everyday. On the other hand, whales are now protected by a
national law. Secondly, cows are considered to be a normal
source of food in many places all over the world. However,
whales are important edible animals only in a few countries.
Finally, the biggest difference between cows and whales is that
whales are free in the huge ocean until caught by people, and
cows are raised in fields to be slaughtered for food (Castigador,
2012). In what ways are cows and whales similar? How do they
Cause and Effect
This pattern of development establishes a relationship between
events. This type of text also uses chronological pattern; giving
importance to time and order. Cause refers to why an action or
condition took place while effect refers to the result of the
cause. Usually, the cause comes first, bringing about an effect
or multiple effects. But in some instances, it can be inverted.
The effects are discussed first before the cause/s. For example,
John is late because he stayed up late to finish his 6 homework.
This sentence uses connective word because which serves as a
link between the effect and the cause in an inverted cause-and-
effect pattern.
Example Paragraph: Like other modern inventions, computers
have a capacity for use and abuse, a potential for good and
bad. Computers allow people to fly safely and quickly across
continents, but they also make it possible to send missiles from
one country to another. Computers can speed credit cards to us
and help us use them with ease, but they can also be used to
compile records that invade a citizen’s privacy. Computers
serve as electronic tutors; pocket-size electronic calculators can
solve complicated problems with amazing speed. However, the
students who start early to rely on calculators may see their
own math abilities remain underdeveloped. The same
computers that help administrators and accounts can ruin a
student’s class schedule or bill the wrong person for a thousand
dollars’ worth of merchandise.
Problem-Solution
This pattern of writing presents the problems
and solutions to the problems. There are two
ways to structure this kind of writing. First, is
the block structure where all the problems
are listed. Then the solutions are given.
Another is the chain structure where the
problem/s is given followed by the solution/s.
Example Paragraph: The problem of drug abuse is rising in many countries.
Billions of dollars are spent internationally preventing drug use, treating addicts,
and fighting drugrelated crime. Although drugs threaten many societies, their
effects can be combated successfully. Drug abuse causes multiple problems for
countries and communities. The medical and psychological effects are very
obvious. Addicts cannot function as normal members of society. They neglect or
abuse their families, and eventually require expensive treatment or
hospitalization. The second effect is on crime. Huge police resources are needed
to fight smuggling and dealing. However, the menace of drugs can be fought.
Education is the first battle. Children need to be told at home and in school
about drugs. People need to be made aware of the effects so that they can
maybe avoid the problem. A second approach is to increase police manpower
and powers to stop dealers and to enforce the law. However, the main target
should be the user. Families and counselors need to talk to people at risk. Jobs
are also needed to give ex-addicts a new, positive role in society. In conclusion,
although the problem of drugs may seem impossible to eliminate, there are
concrete steps that can be taken to weaken the hold of drugs on society.
Persuasion
Persuasive writing is also argumentative
writing. In presenting an argument, the goal
is to persuade readers to agree with you. The
argument has to be supported by sound
reasoning and solid evidences such as facts,
statistics, statements from experts, or even
personal experiences. In persuasion, you
make use of logical, emotional and ethical
appeals to convince.
We shouldn’t have homework. It takes away from
family time. You have to do homework instead of
playing a family board game or playing catch. You
can’t go outside to play so you will get fat. If you
bring it home, you will rush through it so you can
play video games. We should do our work at school
because we have better equipment there. We should
also do it at school because we can’t ask our teacher
questions when we do it at home. It’s hard to
concentrate when you could be outside playing on a
sunny day.
Pattern of Paragraph Description / Signal Words Used
Development Structure / Purpose
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