PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT

METHODS
Dr. Sunarsih, M.A.
 Common Steps for Finding
the Methods of Development

• First, find the paragraph pattern. Look at the

topic sentence. It will tip you off to what is
coming.
• Second, look at the linking sentences and words.
They also will show you what the writers are
doing.
• Third, look at what writers do in the supporting
sentences. For example, do they tell a story or try
to get you to do something?
 A. DEVELOPMENT BY DEFINITION
• Writers use definition to tell you the meaning of a term
or an idea.

• In the topic sentence, look for words like What is or

What is the meaning of.
• In the linking words, look for synonyms (words that
have the same meaning) or antonyms (words that have
opposite meanings). Also look for words like that is and
on the other hand, and for enumeration (a, b, c; 1, 2, 3;
and so on).
• In the supporting ideas, look for a listing of what the
thing being defined is like.
 EXAMPLE
A racist can be defined as a prejudiced person who discriminates because of
another individuals outer appearance or race. Racism can all start as a child being
raised with negative thoughts, or can be brought upon by personal reasons. For
example, growing up in a racist family will give adolescent awful thoughts about a
race without even experiencing how they really feel first hand. A different example
of how one might unfortunately choose to be racist would be if a person visits a
country, and a negative event took place; this person might become racist toward
a group of people that lived there all because of one personal event that
happened. This is not a type of person that treats people like how they want to
treated, but it is a form of hatred toward a set of people. This kind of person might
use mental abuse, or they can even get physically abusive toward the kind of race
they are discriminate towards. They also can have a type of attitude that thinks
that they are better than certain groups and cultures. Racism is a negative concept
that put down people for no real reason. Racism is a form of ignorance and
inequity and only one could wish for this discrimination to stop all together in
order for everybody to get along.
• ~© 2005 Fallon Fauque~
 Read the theory and example of
Development by Definition, then
answer the following question!
1. Mention the topic and the controlling idea!
2. Mention the details/supporting ideas!
2. Mention at least two linking words used in
the example!
 B. DEVELOPMENT BY
EXAMPLE/ILLUSTRATION
• Writers use examples (illustrations) to give you
common cases of a general statement or idea.
• In the topic sentence, look for an idea or a
general statement.
• In the linking words, look for words like for
example and for instance, and for enumeration.
• In the supporting ideas, look for the examples—
—the specific things that are members of the
group named by the general statement in the
topic sentence.
 EXAMPLE
Piedmont, or mountain, glaciers are found in many
parts of the world. In North America they are distributed
along the mountain ranges of the Pacific Coast from central
California northward. They abound in the Andes range in
South America and are familiar and greatly admired
spectacles in the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Caucasus
Mountains and the mountains of Scandanavia. Rivers of ice
flow down the valleys of various Asian mountain ranges,
including the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, and the
Karakoram and Kunlun ranges. They are also a feature of
the Southern Alps of New Zealand and are found in the
lofty mountains of New Guinea. The largest piedmont
glaciers are the Malaspina and Bering glaciers, both in
Alaska.
 Read the theory and example of
Development by Example, then
answer the following question!
1. Mention the topic and the controlling idea!
2. Mention the details/supporting ideas!
2. Mention at least two linking words used in
the example!
 C. DEVELOPMENT BY CLASSIFICATION
• Writers use classification to tell you what groups (or
classes) are like and how groups differ from other
groups.
• In the topic sentence, look for words like groups,
classes, types, kinds.
• In the linking words, look for words like similarly, on
the other hand, all of these, within this group.
• In the supporting ideas, look for statements about
what a class is like. That is, look for a listing of how
members of a group are alike, and for a listing of
how they are different from members of other
groups.
 EXAMPLE
Local TV interviewers come in two varieties. One is
a bulimic blond person with a deviated septum and a
severe cognitive disorder who went into broadcasting
because he or she was too emotionally disturbed for
telephone sales work. The other variety is suave,
sagacious, grossly overqualified for the job, and too
depressed to talk to you. Good local TV people are
always depressed because their field is so crowded.
(P.J. O'Rourke, "Book Tour." Age and Guile, Beat Youth,
Innocence, and a Bad Haircut. Atlantic Monthly Press,
1995)
 Read the theory and example of
Development by Classification, then
answer the following question!
1. Mention the topic and the controlling idea!
2. Mention the details/supporting ideas!
2. Mention at least two linking words used in
the example!
 D. DEVELOPMENT BY GENERAL
ANALYSIS
• Writers use general analysis to show you what the parts of
something are and how those parts are related.

• In the topic sentence, look for the name of a whole thing.

Then, look for words like parts, units, divisions, aspects,
components.
• In the linking words, look for words like and, also, in
addition, furthermore, moreover, in other words, that is.
• In the supporting ideas, look for a listing of parts of the
whole thing named in the topic sentence. Look at the ways
those parts are tied together.
 EXAMPLE
Writing is a complex sociocognitive process involving the
construction of recorded messages on paper or on some other material,
and, more recently, on a computer screen. The skills needed to write
range from making the appropriate graphic marks, through utilizing the
resources of the chosen language, to anticipating the reactions of the
intended readers. The first skill area involves acquiring a writing system,
which may be alphabetic (as in European languages) or nonalphabetic (as
in many Asian languages). The second skill area requires selecting the
appropriate grammar and vocabulary to form acceptable sentences and
then arranging them in paragraphs. Third, writing involves thinking about
the purpose of the text to be composed and about its possible effects on
the intended readership. One important aspect of this last feature is the
choice of a suitable style. Because of these characteristics, writing is not
an innate natural ability like speaking but has to be acquired through years
of training or schooling (Swales & Feak, 1994, p. 34).
 Read the theory and example of
Development by General Analysis,
then answer the following question!
1. Mention the topic and the controlling idea!
2. Mention the details/supporting ideas!
2. Mention at least two linking words used in
the example!
 E. DEVELOPMENT BY PROCESS
ANALYSIS
• Writers use process analysis to show you how
something works or how to do something. They give
you the steps to do something, and they give you the
order in which the steps must come.
• In the topic sentence, look for words like Here are the
steps; Use these steps; Do these things in this order.
• In the linking words, look for words showing time
relations, such as now, then, in the same way, and next,
and for enumeration (1, 2, 3;first, second, third).
• In the supporting ideas, look for the names of the steps
or the name of the set of situations. Following the
names, look for directions for carrying out the process.
 EXAMPLE
Breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend can be easier said
than done, but here are five steps that may help the breaking up
process. First try to distance yourself by suddenly becoming busier
than usual. The next step is to calmly tell the other person that how
you are feeling. Then gently let him or her know that you do not
want to be together anymore. Then make sure to be sensitive of his
or her feelings and answer any questions that he or she may have.
For example, if the person starts to cry, use kind words to help
comfort him or her. After everything is said and done, take some
alone time for your self because everyone has feelings to sort out
after a break up. Finally, go out with friends and meet new people.
With these five steps it will make the breaking up process smooth
for both parties. ~© Sara Bedwell~
 Read the theory and example of
Development by Process Analysis, then
answer the following question!
1. Mention the topic and the controlling idea!
2. Mention the details/supporting ideas!
2. Mention at least two linking words used in
the example!
 PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT SONG
(in Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars tune)
Paragraph development:
Definition, Example,
And General analysis,
Process, Classification

Topic , supporting sentence

Linking words you must concern
 REVIEW
• What did we learn today?
• So what? (relevancy, importance, usefulness)
• Which part did you find easy/fun?
• Which part did you find difficult?
• What do you want to know more?
 RESOURCE
• Supriyanto, B. Critical Reading. Bandung:
Institut Teknologi Bandung.