Academic Writing 1 Slide 6

Academic Writing

Session 6 – Methods Of Paragraph Development

Session Overview
To help readers understand a piece of writing, authors try to present their details in a clearly organized way. Ideas are built up from sentence to paragraph to whole text. Authors might use any of several common patterns to arrange their details.
OBJECTIVES
By the end of this session, you should be able to
•recognize different methods of development
•develop the ability to write using different methods of development

Session Outline
The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows:
•Illustrations
•Process analysis
•Definitions
•Comparison and contrast
•Cause & effect/ problem & solution
•Classification and division patterns of development

Reading List
•Unit 11 of Meyers (2005) Gateways To Academic Writing pp. 51-116

Topic One
ILLUSTRATIONS
What are illustrations?
•An illustration is a means of using specific situations and examples to reveal the essential points about a topic or to reinforce your topic sentence.
•Examples are an effective way to support general statements.
•Examples are used to explain or clarify:
Unfamiliar topics
•These are topics that your audience has little or no knowledge of.
Difficult concepts
•Many concept are difficult for readers to understand b definition alone. But giving examples would make the concept immediately understandable.
Abstract terms
•Abstract terms refer to ideas rather than to people or to concrete things. Abstract terms mean different things to different people hence providing examples would make your meaning clearer.

Sample Question
•The following words are abstract words and difficult concepts. Write examples that illustrate their meaning.
1.Phobia
2.Influence
3.Gender role
4.Sexual harassment

Topic Two
PROCESS ANALYSIS

What is process analysis?

In this pattern, the information explains the steps in a particular procedure.

The steps or stages show how a phenomenon functions or how a goal or end is achieved.

This method is used in developing expository essays.

The transitional devices used are usually the devices that show time – order relation.

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Thank You!