Patterns of Development
Depending on the topic and the author's purpose, the author may use a specific text pattern or mode.
authors may use more than different patterns in body paragraphs in an essay. or may use patterns for paragraphs.
Descriptive
uses sensory detail to support the thesis
appeals to the senses: sight, sound, taste, touch, smell
Narrative
uses an anecdote or story to develop or support the thesis
includes introduction, plot, conflict, characters, setting, climax, and conclusion
Causal Analysis or Cause/Effect
analyzes reasons and consequences of causal relationship presented in the thesis
Classification/Division
separates topic into parts; or groups related things into categories to develop thesis
Compare/Contrast
addresses similarities or dissimilarities
Definition
explains the meaning of a term or concept in depth to develop the thesis
Example/Illustration
develops thesis by providing specific instances or examples: personal experience, typical case, hypothetical case, generalized/composite case, dramatic case, statistics, extended illustration
Process Analysis
informational, explains process, how or why something happens; directional, explains how-to;