Chapter 7: Descriptive Narration
Chapter 7 is devoted to the descriptive narration. The narrative is a description of one or more incidents that comprise a significant action. The five narrative patterns include situation, conflict, struggle, outcome, and meaning. In most cases, narratives are presented in the past tense. Narratives always involve a point of view and dialogue. The main types of description are objective description, subjective description, and emotional description. Any narrative writer must be able to accomplish the following tasks: make the dominant impression, choose words thoroughly, establish the point of view, and order the events and details for coherence. In other words, the writer must convey the main thought effectively in ways that make it understandable for readers.
Chapter 8: Exemplification
Chapter 8 speaks about exemplification. Exemplification is essentially about using examples to make the message or narrative thought more comprehensive. Exemplification is one of the fundamental elements of the writing process. The most effective examples are vivid, specific, and representative. All examples used within one paper should be directly related to the thesis statement. The number and order of examples depending on the topic and the amount of collected information. Transitional words are to be used to make coherent connections between different examples and between them and the main idea of the work.
Chapter 9: Analysis by Division
Chapter 9 speaks about analysis by division. Analysis by division is used whenever there is a need to explain how various parts (elements) of one system (unit) work. To meet this goal, the writer will have to break the subject into separate elements and describe how each element operates. The description of each element should be related to the unit (system) as a whole. The following steps make up the entire process of the analysis by division.
First, the writer should specify the subject or unit. Second, the main principle by which the entire union functions should be stated. Third, the writer should use this principle to divide the unit into separate elements. Fourth, the writer should discuss each element, separately, but about the subject (unit). More often than not, the main parts of the unit represent the main points of the writer’s outline. Yet, the sequence of parts will vary, depending on the subject. These parts can be arranged by space, time, or emphasis.
Chapter 10: Process Analysis
Chapter 10 is devoted to processing analysis and writing about doing. Process analysis can help in college writing, as well as in the workplace and career growth. It is used whenever a person needs to explain how he (she) does something or how something has been done. In-process analysis, the topic is broken down into parts (elements) so that the reader could understand their meaning and duplicate them. The writer can use two different types of process analysis – informative and directive. The purpose of directive process analysis is to explain how to do something. This type of process analysis provides directions the reader should follow to do something. Informative process analysis is retrospective and provides information on how something was done.
The first stage of directive process analysis is listing the equipment and materials needed to complete the process. In the second stage of writing, the process is presented and described, step by step. The language must be concise and simple. The order should also be chronological. Combination process analysis can be used when the personalized account of the process is provided. Here, the features of informative and directive process writing are combined.
Chapter 11: Cause and Effect
Cause and effect writing is described in Chapter 11. Causes and effects are used to describe the reasons for certain phenomena (actions) and their results. Cause-and-effect writing is pervasive in almost all fields of science and thought. Listing is one of the most useful approaches to analyzing causes and effects. This method requires that the writer divides the list of paper into two columns and writes down the causes of the event on the left side, and lists the effects on the right side. Once the list is completed, a topic sentence specifying the main causes of the event/phenomenon should be created.
Then, the writer should develop an outline that contains a paragraph on causes and a list of effects. These causes and effects can be immediate or remote, primary, or secondary. The sequence of the causes and effects in the paper should also be considered.
Chapter 12: Classification
Classification and establishing groups are among the most essential elements of professional writing. To explain something by classification, the writer should categorize individuals, items, things, or ideas into separate groups, depending on their essential characteristics.
The following procedure can help classify objects or ideas more efficiently. First, the writer should choose a plural subject. Second, the writer should decide how the units within this subject will be grouped. Third, the classes or groups should be established. Fourth, the writer will describe these classes or groups. One of the most difficult stages in establishing the principle of classification because all classes within one subject will have to adhere to this principle. When describing these classes, the writer should avoid unimaginative phrases and choose unusual perspectives to add creativity to the writing process.
Chapter 13: Comparison and Contrast
Comparison and contrast is just another mode of professional writing. Comparison and contrast is the writing pattern used to define and describe similarities and differences between various subjects. Comparison and contrast cannot be effective unless the writer follows the 4Ps: purpose, points, presentation, and patterns. The purpose can be informative or persuasive. Points are the structures and phrases to be used on both sides of the comparison and contrast writing. The writer will have to choose one of the comparison and contrast patterns: point by point (alternating) or subject by subject (opposing). These patterns will further influence the way the topic is presented.
Chapter 14: Definition
Writing a definition is not easy. Definitions can consist of a phrase, a complete sentence, or only a synonym. A simple definition is usually short. Longer definitions are also called “extended definitions.” The following alternatives are available to definition writers: using the basic dictionary description, applying to synonyms, explaining the term directly or indirectly, or developing a formal, analytical definition. The words “when” and “where” should not be used in definition writing. No other terms should be used to define the term itself (circular definition).
Chapter 15: Argument
Persuasion is a very broad term, while an argument is an attempt to persuade other people on something they usually disagree with. A well-developed argument always has the following elements: background, proposition, qualification of proposition, refutation, and support. The writer can use various types of evidence, including statistics and examples, to support the argument. The writer should avoid the most common logical fallacies, such as false dilemmas and hasty generalizations, which commonly occur in persuasive writing.
References
Brandon, L. (2008). At a glance: Paragraphs. Cengage Learning.