Patterns (Methods) of Development
When beginning to write, it is helpful to determine the patterns of development that are
most effective for your purpose and audience. The general patterns of development are:
1) Description details what something looks like and its characteristics. A descriptive essay is
a form of essay that describes something. Students are assigned the task of describing
objects, things, places, experiences, events, persons, and situations. The students use
sensory information to enable readers to use their five senses of touch, taste, smell,
hearing, and sight to understand the topic of the essay.
2) Narration describes what, when, and where something happened. A narrative essay is a
type of essay that has a single motif, or a central point, around which the whole narrative
revolves. All incidents, happenings, and characters revolve around a single motif
presented in the narrative. A narrative essay is similar to a simple five-paragraph essay, in
that it has the same format. It is only different in that it is a narrative, having characters,
incidents, and dialogues.
3) Analysis (Analytical Writing / Expository Writing / Exposition) should explain, illustrate,
clarify, or explicate something in a way that it becomes clear for readers. Therefore, it
could be an investigation, evaluation, or assertion about an idea for clarification.
a) Cause and Effect details why something happens, what causes it, what are the effects
and how it is related to something else.
b) Classification groups items into their parts or types.
c) Compare and Contrast tells how something is like other things or how something is
different from other things.
d) Definition explains what something is in comparison to other members of its class,
along with any limitations.
e) Process Description (Analysis) explains how something happened, how it works or
how it is made.
4) Argumentation
a) Discursive Essay is an essay where you are required to write on something, which can
be either argued for the topic or against the topic. However, discursive essays must be
written in a way where you don't choose any particular side but to present your views
on both the sides in a balanced manner
b) Persuasive (Argumentative) Essay is a piece of academic writing where you use logic
and reason to show that your point of view is more legitimate than any other. You
must expose clear arguments and support your arguments with convincing facts and
logical reasons.