8 Methods of Development in A Paragraph
8 Methods of Development in A Paragraph
Process
Definition
Analogy.
These four methods of development—cause and effect, problem-solution, chronology or narrative, and
comparison and contrast—are just a few ways to organize and develop ideas and content in your
essays.
When beginning to write, it is helpful to determine the patterns of development that are most effective
for your purpose and audience. Some general patterns of development are: Cause and Effect details why
something happens, what causes it, what the effects are and how it is related to something else.
What are the methods of paragraph development?
Description: Provide specific details about what something looks, smells, tastes, sounds, or feels
like.
These four methods of development—cause and effect, problem-solution, chronology or narrative, and
comparison and contrast—are just a few ways to organize and develop ideas and content in your essays.
Blocked paragraph.
Indented paragraph.
Hanging paragraph.
Description.
Example.
Definition.
Process Analysis.
Classification/Division.
Comparison/Contrast.
Cause/Effect.
What is paragraph and examples?
A paragraph is a brief piece of writing that’s around seven to ten sentences long. The paragraph form
refers to a group of sentences focusing on a single topic. There are three main parts of a paragraph:
Topic sentence – it has the main idea. Supporting sentences – details that relate to and support the
topic sentence.
Paragraph Development through Outline One of the most common ways to develop your paragraphs is
through the creation of an outline. To create an outline, you: Write down the main points that you wish
to discuss in the paragraph first. Aim for two or three main points.
No matter what pattern you follow (in other words, what the purpose of your paragraph is) your
paragraphs will all include three main components.
Topic Sentences. Open your paragraph by introducing your reader to the topic you’ll be
exploring.
In effect, a direct paragraph is like an essay in miniature: it begins with a topic sentence (like a thesis
statement), develops supporting points (as do paragraphs in the body of an essay), and comes to some
form of resolution (as does an essay in its concluding point).
Cause and Effect in Daily Life A tornado blew the roof off the house, and as a result, the family had to
find another place to live. Because the alarm was not set, we were late for work. Since school was
canceled, we went to the mall.
Develop paragraphs in a variety of patterns that reflect your thinking about the material. As you write
the topic sentence and its supporting sentences, look for ways to structure your thinking. These patterns
of paragraph development usually emerge in the process of revision. …
In a classification paragraph, separate items are grouped into categories according to shared
characteristics. Depending on the subject, you may be asked to classify people, organisms, things or
ideas. Topic sentence identifies what is to be classified and the categories used.
A definition paragraph is a paragraph explaining a term or subject, so your audience comprehends the
topic of the paragraph. Class is when you put your topic in a larger category to explain your term.
EXAMPLE: A pineapple is a tropical fruit that has an acidic and sweet taste.
We learned the 8 different methods of developing a paragraph. The methods include: Facts and
statistics, examples, and illustration, process, comparison and contrast, cause and effect, classification
and analysis, definition, and analogy.
The organization styles or rhetorical modes or patterns are commonly listed as nine: examples
(illustration), narrative, process, argument (opinion), cause and effect, compare and contrast,
description, definition, and classification.
Because there are four paragraph types — narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive—the
paragraph can be used to describe or explain an endless variety of things. These four paragraph types
are powerful tools for writers.
The basic paragraph consists of three parts: a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding
sentence. This basic paragraph format will help you to write and organize one paragraph and transition
to the next.
Signal words are specific words that you can use to transition between the different ideas in your paper
clearly and organically.
Examples of Signal Words and Phrases Place: elsewhere, here, above, below, farther on… Example: for
instance, for example, for one thing… Contrast: however, but, on the other hand… Sequence: first,
second, next, finally…
Consider words and phrases that indicate relationships between ideas, like also, however, as a result, in
addition, for example, and in contrast. These are signal words, and they are sentence superheroes.
How many signal words are there?
two words
There are three signal words in use today: CAUTION, WARNING and DANGER. These three signal words
are associated with toxicity categories established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Common signal words show emphasis, addition, comparison or contrast, illustration, and cause and
effect.