Chapter 8
Following Thought Patterns
Types of Writing

Descriptive

Narrative

Expository

Persuasive (Argumentative)
Why Learn About Thought Patterns?
Patterns provide a framework for comprehending what you read
They enable you to anticipate a writer’s flow of thought
Patterns help you remember what you read
Patterns can help your organize your own thoughts
Patterns can improve your reading and speaking skills
Learning Principle
You are able to remember information better if it is organized or if you can detect a pattern.
Recognizing Organizational Patterns in Expository Writing

By identifying the pattern of a passage, it becomes more meaningful and easier to
learn and remember.

Once you recognize a pattern, its organization becomes familiar and predictable.
Types of Supporting Information in Expository Writing

Examples

Reasons

Description

Facts and Statistics

Citation of Research Evidence
Examples
Have you ever snacked on baby carrots? Did you know at the time that you were eating a
functional food? A functional food is one that has been shown to have a positive effect on your
health beyond its basic nutrients. Baby carrots are a functional food because they are rich in
beta-carotene, which, in addition to being a key source of vitamin A, helps protect your cells
from damaging substances that can increase your risk of some chronic diseases such as cancer.
In other words, the beta-carotene’s function goes beyond its basic nutritional role as a source of
vitamin A, because it may also help fight cancer. Oats are another functional food because they
contain the soluble fiber beta-glucan, which has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. This
can play a positive role in lowering the risk for heart disease.
Reasons
There are a number of reasons why there has been an increase in the demand for nurses, not the
least of which is the aging of the U.S. population. Older people use hospitals more and have
chronic ailments that require more nursing. Moreover, as hospitals reduce the length of stay of
patients, people who are discharged earlier than in previous years need more home care, usually
provided by nurses. At the same time as demand has been rising, the supply of nurses has
decreased somewhat. The age distribution of women between 18 and 24 has decreased in the
past decade. Because this is the group from which nurses traditionally come, there have been
fewer potential nurses. In addition, women have more alternatives in the labor market than they
did years ago.
Facts and Statistics
Collectively, American teens spent $172 billion in 2001—that’s a lot of Slurpees. The spending
power of American teens is well known, and lately European companies also are appreciating
the vast economic clout of the young. Euroteens also have plenty of cash to spend; a survey of
Germans aged 16 to 18 by Yomag.net, an online magazine for European teens, found that 60
percent had a job and 92 percent received an allowance, with a significant number receiving
both. Another Yomag.net survey of teens from other European countries showed that they
received a monthly allowance of about €36.74 (one euro having roughly the same value as a
dollar.) That figure doesn’t compare with the $22.68 weekly average that U. S. teens receive, but
it’s still more than chump change! Indeed, the potential of the global youth market is massive,
representing about $100 billion in spending power! This is because of the huge proportion of
people in many countries who are very young. For example, consider that while 21 percent of U.
S. residents are 14 or younger, these are the corresponding percentages in some other countries.
--Salomon, Consumer Behavior, Buying, Having, and Being, p. 503 (our text, p. 162)
Citation of Research
1
There can be no doubt that everyone spends a great deal of time gossiping. 2In fact, gossip
seems universal among all cultures (Hall 1993). 3Gossip refers to third party talk about another
person; the word gossip “now embraces both the talker and the talk, the tattler and the tattle, the
newsmonger and the newsmongering” (Brenner 1980, p. 178). 4 Gossip is an inevitable part of
daily interactions; to advise anyone not to gossip would be absurd. 5Not gossiping would
eliminate one of the most frequent and enjoyable forms of communication. 6In some instances,
however, gossip is unethical (Bok 1983). 7First, it’s unethical to reveal information that you’ve
promised to keep secret. 8Although this principle may seem to obvious to even mention, it seems
violated in many cases. 9For example, in a study of 133 school executives, board presidents, and
superintendents, the majority received communications that violated an employee’s right to
confidentiality (Wilson and Bishard 1994). …
Recognizing Common Expository Patterns
Definition
Time sequence or process
Comparison-contrast
Cause-effect
Classification
Enumeration
Definition
Definition is an expository pattern where a writer explains the meaning of a term or concept.
Typically, the writer begins by placing a term in a general category. For example, a writer may
tell us that sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder. Next, the writer will list specific characteristics
that distinguish the term from others in a group. For instance, again dealing with the term sleep
apnea, the writer may tell the reader that sleep apnea is characterized by intermittent blockage of
breathing passages. That characteristic makes sleep apnea unlike any other sleep disorder.
Then, the writer may list additional details or examples in order to make the term clear.
Time Sequence and Process
Comparison—Contrast
Examines two topics in terms of similarities (comparison) or differences (contrast) or
both
Cause and Effect
Examines an event in order to understand why and how it happened
Cause and Effect
Classification
Takes a large group and breaks it up into types, kinds, or categories
Classification
Enumeration
Lists of facts, characteristics, parts, treatments, issues, problems.
Transitions
Transitions are linking words or phrases used to lead the reader from one idea to another. They
help the reader to see how ideas are related. They can express different types of relationship, for
example….
Relationship
Transitions and/or Key Words
Time sequence/Process
first, later, then, next, finally, last
stages, steps, cycle
Contrast
on the other hand, however, in contrast, unlike
differences
Comparison
like, similarly, in the same way, just as
similarities
Cause-effect
because, since, therefore, consequently
causes, effects, results, consequences
Classification
first, second, another, finally
types, kinds, classes, categories
Enumeration
first, second, another, finally
Predict the expository pattern of the following:
Example:
Unlike the statues of humans, the statues of animals found at Stone Age sites are
quite lifelike. Comparison-contrast
1.
Scientists have identified five distinct types of galaxies, each with specific characteristics.
2.
Leadership and management are in some ways similar forms of influence, but in one very
crucial way they are quite different.
3.
It appears that your attitude toward education and learning can directly influence your
performance and success—or lack of it.
4.
Left untreated, arthritis grows steadily more severe.
5.
Throughout the 1960s activists fought for the rights of women and minorities.
6.
Apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by the intermittent blockage of breathing
passages.
7.
Tornadoes generally exhibit a certain characteristic cycle of behavior between formation
and final disappearance.
8.
It is believed that the current crisis in educational funding could be alleviated by several
strategies.
9.
The Unemployment Act of 1946 brought about several predictable effects.
10.
Numerous
11.
Six organizational patterns are commonly used in textbooks: definition, time
sequence….
12.
Writing is a three-step process.
13.
Several events led to the United States’ entering World War II. In 1939….
physical characteristics distinguish humans from apes.