Text Patterns

Narration: Relating Events
Opening
Body
Conclusion

Narration
Opening: sets the stage, provides helpful background information, notes the incident that activated the chain of events, or identifies the problem from which the action grew
Body: is built around the key event, moves the action forward until a turning point is reached, contains effective time markers, conflict and dialogue are used to heighten the interest
Conclusion: settles the unresolved conflicts and lends the air of completion to the narrative; sometimes includes a surprise twist, offers a reflective summary of the events, notes your reaction to them, or discusses the aftermath of the affair.

Description: Presenting Impressions
Beginning
Body
Feature # 1
…
Feature # n
End
Important Elements
Purpose
Sensory impressions
Dominant impression (overall mood)
Vantage point
Arrangement of details

Description
Beginning: begin with an introduction that eases the recipient into your topic (historical overview, a provocative question, a captivating statement or quote)
Body: develop each major feature in the order you’ve mapped out, signal shifts in a vantage point, use fresh and effective vocabulary
End: pull your description together by (1) reacting to a dominant impression or mood, (2) spelling your message out, or (3) urging some action.

Process Analysis: Explaining How
Opening
Body
1st action/step (+ reason for action(s) + warning)
…
Nth action/step (+ reason for action(s) + warning)
Conclusion

Process Analysis
Opening: identify the process and try to arouse the recipient’s interest (note usefulness or ease/fun of the process), list items needed and note any special conditions required for a successful outcome
Body: discuss the procedure in detail, grouping related actions to form steps; indicate whether processes can unfold in only one order or there is an order of choice
Conclusion: end your text with a few brief remarks that provide some perspective on the process (summary of the steps / evaluating the result / discussing its importance)
1st person Active 3rd person Active 3rd person Passive

Illustration: Making Yourself Clear
Introduction
Body
Example / Group of Examples
1st supporting detail
2nd supporting detail
Example / Group of Examples
1st supporting detail
2nd supporting detail
Conclusion

Illustration
Introduction: identify your topic and draw your recipient into it (if you are illustrating a personal belief, you might indicate how you developed it; if you are trying to scare sb into or away from sth, you might start with an arresting ststement)
Body: present one extended example, or a list of relatively brief examples, or a brief examples grouped into related categories for discussion
Conclusion: conclude in whatever way seems most appropriate (express hope or recommendation that the recipient implement or avoid sth, issue a personal that grows out of the point you have illustrated)

Classification: Grouping into Categories
Introduction
Body
Category 1
1st feature
2nd feature
Category …
Category n
Conclusion

Classification
Introduction: identify your topic and capture your recipient’s attention (modern state of affairs, anecdote, cite a personal experience, etc.)
Body: discuss your categories in whatever order best suits you (by importance, by categorizing principles); make sure that the arrangement of material within categories follows a consistent pattern
Conclusion: may vary (prediction, recommendations, hope)

Comparison: Showing Relationships
The BLOCK PATTERN (shorter comparisons)
Introduction (mentions similarities in object 1 and object 2, making a statement)
Specific points about object 1
Quality 1
Quality 2
Quality n
Specific points about object 2
Quality 1
Quality 2
Quality n
Conclusion (reasserts the statement)

Comparison: Showing Relationships
The ALTERNATING PATTERN (longer comparisons)
Introduction (mentions similarities in object 1 and object 2, making a statement)
Quality 1
Object 1
Object 2
Quality 2
Object 1
Object 2
Conclusion (reasserts the statement)

Comparison
Analogy is a special type of comparison, which calls attention to one or more similarities underlying two different kinds of items that seem to have nothing in common.
Explains unfamiliar through familiar
Highlights the unfamiliar in order to help illuminate the familiar

Cause and Effect: Explaining Why
Introduction (identifies cause)
Body
Effect 1
Effect …
Effect n
Conclusion

Cause and Effect
Introduction (identifies effect)
Body
Cause 1
Cause …
Cause n
Conclusion

Cause and Effect
Introduction (identifies the problem)
Body
Cause 1
Effect 1
Cause 2
Effect 2
Conclusion

Cause and Effect
Introduction (identifies the problem)
Body
Cause 1
Cause 2
Cause 3
Effect 1
Effect 2
Effect 3
Conclusion

Definition: Establishing Boundaries
Synonyms
Essential definitions
Extended definitions

Definition
Broad category + distinguishing features
It may include other methods of text development: narration, description, illustration, process analysis, classification, comparison, cause and effect/
Definition by negation.

Argument: Convincing Others
The rational appeal
Induction (from particular to general)
Deduction (from general to particular)
Analogy
The emotional appeal
The ethical appeal

Argument
Position 1
Evidence and evaluation (established truths, opinions of authorities, statistical findings, personal experience)
Objections and counter-opinions
Consequences and conclusions

Mixing Strategies