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Choosing a Pattern of Development Paragraphs may be developed in a variety of patterns that reflect the way you think. As you write the topic sentence and its supporting details, look for ways to structure your thinking. You may advance your idea by narrating a series of events, undertaking a physical description, or analyzing the topic. These patterns of paragraph development usually emerge in the process of revision. More than one pattern of development may be used in a series of paragraphs.

Examples and Illustrations Use exemplification in paragraphs where the topic sentence is supported by examples that illustrate, support, and clarify your main point. Examples are the most common pattern of development, and they are enough to suggest the truth of many topic sentences. Illustrations are extended examples, presented in story form. When I was younger, I fantasized about how wonderful life would be when I got my first job and moved into my own apartment. But now that I actually live in one, my dreams have turned into nightmares. First of all, my landlady has been irresponsible. About a month ago, my faucet developed a leak and flooded my kitchen and dining area. I had to call her three times before she finally sent a plumber two days later. In the meantime, I was faced with cleaning up two inches of water on the floor, and living with a massive puddle for a carpet in my bedroom. During the hottest part of summer, the power went out, and again I had to call my landlady numerous times before she finally got around to sending an electrician a week later. My apartment was unbearably hot so I had to spend the nights sleeping naked on the concrete floor while fanning myself. Perhaps the worst problem has been with the inconsiderate neighbors who live in the apartment beside me. They keep weird hours, often coming home drunk (or drugged?) around three in the morning and making a huge racket as they argue with each other. Furthermore, they host loud drinking parties even on week nights that last far into the night. Their irritating videoke sing-alongs or hip hop music is turned up so loud that I cant even drown out the bass sound with earplugs and a pillow over my head. Needless to say, I am searching for a new apartment, and I am even considering renting a small room for rent, or bed space even.

Narration Use narration to establish a series of events that tells the reader what happened. It tells a coherent story or a part of a story. It follows a chronological order, but it may also contain flashbacks interruptions that take the story back to an earlier time. This pattern or time line is usually easy to understand. Note the use of transitional words such as first, next, then, after, etc. The STI school bell rang and the fourth year college students rushed from their last hour classes in search of their companions. Immediately they found their friends, forming the usual cliques out on the corridors. Isabela, a confident senior, was surrounded by her close friends and their mission was to make party plans that Friday night. After they decided on what to do, Isabela and her best friend Karina began their long walk home. Karina then began to tell Isabela that she didnt want Jessica going with them that night because of the ugly rumors she heard earlier in English class. Karina told Isabela that she refused to hang out with Jessica. Isabela stopped walking, turned around, looked directly into Karinas eyes, and explained to her that true friends dont believe rumors about friends. Next, she told her that gossip is not true and only started by jealous people. After further explanation, Karina was convinced that the tales were false and that she shouldve defended Jessica earlier that day.

Description Use description to provide a physical picture or a functional view of the topic. Physical description sketches a portrait of a person, place, or thing by identifying the shapes, materials, position, and functions of its subject. Use concrete and specific words that appeal to one or more of the readers sensessight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. I have always been fascinated by carnival rides during fiestas. It amazes me that average, ordinary people eagerly trade in the serenity of the ground for the chance to be tossed through the air like ping pong balls in a Lotto draw. It amazes me that at some time in history someone thought that people would actually enjoy this, and that person invented what must have been the first of these terrifying machines. For me, it is precisely the thrill and excitement of having survived the ride that keeps me coming back for more. My first experience with a carnival ride was a Ferris wheel at a Linggo ng Bulacan fair. Looking at that looming monstrosity spinning the life out of its sardine-caged occupants, I was dumbstruck. It was huge, smoky, noisy, and intimidating. Ever since that initial impression became fossilized in my imagination many years ago in grade school, these rides have reminded me of mythical beasts, amazing dinosaurs--like in Jurassic Park-carrying off their screaming passengers like sacrificial virgins to the slaughter. Even the droning sound of their rusty engines brings to mind the great roar of a firebreathing dragon in Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings with smoke spewing from its exhaust-pipe nostrils. My fascination with these fantastic flights is deeply ingrained in my nerves.

Process Use process in paragraphs to develop sequences that describe how an action is carried out or how something works. It is patterned in time order, usually chronologically. Note the concentration of action verbs and transitional words. How to Cook Kare-Kare First of all, wash the pigs tripe, tail, and leg well. Place them in a large casserole and cover with plenty of water. Bring the water to a boil, removing scum as it rises. Cover and simmer until tender for about 4 or 6 hours. Then, transfer the meat to a plate; cool and cut into serving pieces. Strain the stock and measure 6 cups (you may need less but its better to be prepared).Second step is to cut the head of cabbage in half and remove the core. Cut off the roots and 1/2 inch of the pechay stalks. Cut off the roots of the sitaw as well and cut the long string beans into 2 lengths. Likewise, discard tough outer layers of the puso ng saging (heart of a banana plant) and cut its inner layers into 2 x 2 pieces. Similarly, cut the eggplant into 2 x 2 cubes. Thirdly, place rice flour in a skillet and toast over medium-high heat until golden brown, then set it aside. Afterwards, in a casserole, put oil over medium heat. Add the annato seeds and cook until they render color as the oil turns into a bright red. With a slotted spoon, remove the seeds and discard them. Increase the heat to medium-high and saut the diced onions (sibuyas) and minced garlic (bawang) for about 30 seconds. Then, add meat pieces and cook until they absorb the color of the oil. Pour in 4 cups of stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to medium and add vegetables in the following order with a 2-minute interval: sitaw, eggplant, puso ng saging, cabbage, and pechay. Meanwhile, mix peanut butter with 1/2 cup of the stock, and the roasted rice flour with another 1/2 cup of the stock. Once the pechay has been added, pour in the peanut butter and rice flour mixtures into the casserole. Stir to blend well and season with salt. Cook the kare-kare for about 2 minutes until the sauce is thick. Finally, serve it hot with bagoong alamang (sauted shrimp paste).

Comparison and Contrast Use comparison and contrast to develop a topic by examining its similarities or differences to another thing, process, or state. Comparison emphasizes the similarities, contrast the differences. You may use both comparison and contrast in a paragraph. The two subjects may be presented one at a time, or a paragraph may proceed point by point, treating the two subjects together, one aspect at a time. The most notable difference between fresh foods and canned goods is their flavor. Fresh foods have great taste because they keep all their natural goodness. Canned goods, on the other hand, lack a lot of their spice because of the chemical products added to the natural produce before packaging. Still, canned goods are notorious for being higher in added salt and sugar--not to mention the preservatives they often require (such as emulsifiers and binders found in desserts) to prolong their shelf life and apparent freshness. By comparison, fresh foods--provided they have not been overcooked--arrive at your table with their appearance largely unchanged, and their nutrients (including fiber content) intact. Whereas, it may seem plain illogical to think that canned goods processed a year or more before they are consumed could actually still be as nutritious. It is logical therefore that the fresh foods will have better taste when consumed due to the time in which they have been prepared. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that fresh foods are often transported over long distances and then left to sit on store shelves. The time lapse between picking and purchase can cause fresh foodslike fruits and vegetables--to lose some of their nutritional value as they are exposed to light and air. In contrast, some say that the nutrients in natural produce remain largely intact regardless of how they are processed or canned. Similarly, canning allow out-of-season produce to be available throughout the year to the delight of consumers everywhere. Hence, canned goods are easier to find in a supermarket or grocery store, and are often less expensive and more

readily available than their fresh counterparts in most places. Likewise, canned goods are convenient to prepare; you just open, heat (optional), and serve in an instant. Although most nutritionists and dieticians would agree that fresh foods are nutritionally ideal, they would also always add that it is better to eat canned goods than no food at all. In fact, the convenience of canned goods may encourage people to consume more of these foods, and conversely snack less on junk.

Analogy Use analogy to explain one object or process in terms of another. It draws a comparison between items that appear to have little in common. Use analogies to make the unfamiliar seem familiar, to provide a concrete understanding of an abstract topic, or to provoke thoughts/changed feelings about a subject. Note that just because two things may be alike in one respect, you cannot conclude that they are alike in all respects. Ants are so much like human beings as to be an embarrassment. They build homes, collect food, farm fungi, raise aphids as livestock, launch armies into wars, discriminate against other races (red ants fighting black ants), use chemical sprays to confuse enemies, and capture slaves. Some of them, like the weaver ants, even engage in child labor by holding their larvae like shuttles to spin out the thread that sews the leaves together for their fungus gardens. They communicate and exchange information ceaselessly. They do everything but watch TV, surf the Internet, and exchange text messages. I guess, Im not the only one who sees the analogy between ants and humans. My girlfriend tried to give me an example on how big our universe is by making me imagine an ant on a basketball. The little ant can walk all around it, but how can it imagine the size of the Earth? Also, on my best friend s funeral, there was this priest who didn t read from the Bible nor pray much. I remember him saying something like: We are like ants when it comes to God or life and death...we are too small to see the whole reality. For how can a little ant see whats behind a great mountain?

Cause and Effect Use cause and effect in paragraphs when you are tracking the development of one situation out of another. It analyzes how events are influenced by or caused by othersthe linkage of causation. The effect may be stated in the topic sentence, with the causes listed in the body of the paragraph. Or it may move from cause to effects. Smoking has many serious effects. The most obvious effect is the deterioration of a smokers health. Smoking increases the risk of lung disease, high blood pressure, and heart attack--not least it reduces the flow of oxygen to the brain. Smoking creates respiratory problems. A smoker s cough expels phlegm--a disgusting substance that wants to escape the body. Prolonged use may lead to emphysema and the need to hook up to a machine to pump enough oxygen into the lungs, if not the brain so one can think rationally. Another effect of this bad habit is that it breeds halitosis; a smokers breath always smells like a garbage dump. Smoking frequently results in social isolation because not all people smoke or want to be in the presence of second-hand smoke. Non-smokers dont want to be treated like fighting cocks (manok na panabong) or roosters which get cigarette smoke blown into their faces every morning. Friends and acquaintances often bluntly tell their smoking friends that they dont want the smell in their cars, offices, or homes. The strong, foul odor of smoke clings to a smokers clothes, hair, and skin. The final effect of smoking is that it depletes the pocket. Smoking is now an expensive habit, and the price of cigarettes continues to rise, thanks to E-VAT and the excise tax. The effects of smoking are many, which leaves one wondering why intelligent and beautiful people in Makati do not find a way to break their harmful addiction. After all, we breathe the same air that they breathe.

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Classification and Division Use classification and division to develop the subject by relating its parts to wholes according to some consistent principle. In classification, you associate similar things or processes by grouping them into classes/ categorieswhich should not overlap. In division, you develop a topic by breaking it down into smaller parts. There are roughly three Manilas. There is, first, the Manila of the native who was born there, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size and its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the Manila of the daily commuter --the city that is devoured by locusts (balangs) each day and spat out each night like the pulp (sapal) of sugar cane (tubo). Third, there is the Manila of the person who was born somewhere else and came to the city in quest of something. Of these three trembling cities, the greatest is the last--the city of final destination, the city that is a goal. It is this third city that accounts for Manilas high-strung personality, its poetical nature, its dedication to the arts and pop culture, and its incomparable achievements. Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness, natives give it solidity and continuity, but the settlers give it passion. And whether it is a promdi arriving from the Visayas to set up a mami food cart in Tondos slums, or a young girl arriving from a small town in Luzon to pursue her education at the University Belt, or a boy arriving from Mindanao with a college diploma in his bag and a pain in his heart, it makes no difference--each embraces Manila with the intense excitement of first love, each absorbs Manila with the fresh eyes of an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker), each generates heat and light to dwarf the Meralco (Manila Electric Company).

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Definition Use definition when you want to set working generalizations that will help control the meaning and scope of important terms. A definition puts a word or concept into a general class and then provides details to distinguish it from others in the same class. Extended definitions make use of other patterns of development like examples, comparison or contrast, etc. Pinoy Rock--or Filipino Rock--is that brand of rock music originating in the Philippines and produced by Filipinos, or, more specifically, as rock music with Pinoy cultural sensibilities. It is a form of popular music in the country with a prominent vocal melody accompanied by guitar, drums, and bass. Many artists also use keyboard instruments such as piano or synthesizers, and some even use turntables and ethnic or native instruments. Pinoy Rock usually has a strong back beat, often revolving around guitar--either electric or acoustic. It has its roots in 1950s-era American and British rock n roll. In the 1960s, Pinoy Rock was blended with folk music to create folk rock, blues to create blues rock, and jazz to create jazzrock fusion; and without a time signature to create psychedelic or hippie music. In the 1970s, Pinoy Rock incorporated influences from soul, funk, and Latin music. Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, it developed a number of subgenres so that Pinoy Rock today has become as diverse as the broad rock music category itself, and bands adopting this style are now further classified under more specific labels like Mainstream, Alternative, Independent (Indie), Progressive, and Underground; or combinations of subgenres like Rap (Hip Hop), Pop, Ethnic, Reggae, Ska, New Wave, Punk, Emo, Hardcore, Metal, etc. Sadly, labeling music somehow stifles it, for that is not what music is all about. If music is a universal language, then it should be free from labels. At any rate, most underground or indie bands hate being labeled mainstream. They associate this with selling out and the radio-friendly teen idols they despise. Funny, these artists want to remain in touch with their roots, yet

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they also seek rockstardom. Yes, that s the irony of it all; and that perhaps is what Pinoy Rock is all about. It is generally born out of the Filipino s love for music, and honestly, its leaning towards something Western or alien-courtesy of colonial mentality. Apparently, local rockers started out listening to foreign bands where they learned the basics, and from there, these rakistas tried to search for their own voice, combining outside influences with their identity. With the passage of time and other musical styles in the Philippines, many music journalists and enthusiasts now regard Pinoy Rock like the Filipino native dishes chopsuey and pinakbet.

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Enumeration Use enumeration in paragraphs when you want to itemize or list a set of topics or a series of some kind. It is a powerful way to establish a series of observations and to emphasize each element. How to Become a Rockstar Okay, so youre watching MTV and suddenly see a rockstar on screen for a few minutes, before pop or that rapper takes over the station again. You think to yourself, I wish I could be a rockstar like him/her. The following steps may help you along your journey to stardom, and hopefully, youll reach your dreams. 1. Practice, practice, practice, and keep believing in yourself. If you lose hope in your talents, you ll never make it anywhere. Remember this won t happen overnight. 2. Record some of your music, after you ve memorized the lyrics or notes by heart. Its a good idea to make a demo tape or CDR with your tracks. 3. Allow your closest friends to hear your music, and then consider their opinions; if you think they are valid, change what you feel is best. 4. Let a group of people listen to your music after you ve made changes; watch their expressions. If there s a lot of smiling and shaking of heads, tweak a little more of your tunes. 5. Play at gigs, even for free. Sometimes they re hard to get but you need them for exposure, whether its in a barrio fiesta, Battle of the Bands, birthday party, or your girlfriends dibu (debut). 6. Create a band/artist MySpace or Friendster to reach more people and help create a larger fan base. Better yet, make a simple website for your band and advertise yourself there.

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7. Record your bands music on video a la MTV and upload it on YouTube. Make sure the video is cool and will appeal to many people. 8. Tell your friends to recommend your music to as many people as possible; the effect will hopefully snowball, and you may have an even larger fan base. 9. Try to get a recording company to sign your band--it doesnt have to be a major label of course. Better yet, self produce and do-it-yourself (DIY) to have more artistic control. Make sure its after you have played at venues and have an acceptable number of fans (other than your relatives and friends, that is). 10. Say NO to drugs, alcohol, and nicotine. Mind-altering substances and music make a terrible mix. Often, rockstars get involved with substance abuse, and as a result, they live fast and die young. Be strong and never reach for them in hard times. Read up on straightedge. 11. Never EVER give up. Many celebrities who are famous today started out like you, and with determination they got to where they are today. 12. Oh, and dont just stop playing music if the rockstar attempt doesnt work out. Music can always fill your free time, and anyway, you can always get a regular eight-hour job. Dont let music take over your whole life.

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