Week 2

• Patterns of Development help us sort out information and shape essays and paragraphs.
• General to specific pattern - characterized by a movement in your thinking from a generalization to specific details. 
• General to specific pattern - the author gives a general statement or idea that is supported by one or more examples.
• General to specific pattern's signal words:

  • for example, 
  • such as, 
  • first.. second.. third, 
  • for instance, 
  • in this case, 
  • on this occasion, 
  • to illustrate
• Clarity: Your topic sentence should clearly convey the main idea of the paragraph. It sets the tone and direction for the entire paragraph.
• Conciseness: Keep your topic sentence concise and to the point. Avoid unnecessary words or details that could confuse the reader.
• Connection to Thesis: Ensure that your topic sentence relates directly to the overall thesis or main idea of your essay. It should support and advance your argument or analysis.
• The cause and effect text structure is generally used in expository and persuasive writing modes.
• Cause and effect pattern's signal words:

  • as
  • since
  • due to
  • because of
  • an account of
  • for the reason that
• The cause is the reason an event happens.
• The effect is the result of the cause.
• Problem and solution divide information into two main sections, one that describes a problem and one that describes a solution. 
• Problem and solution are used in persuasive writing, where the writer's general purpose is to convince the reader to support a certain course of action. 
• A problem is a situation you need to fix.
• The solution gives suggestions to solve the problem.
• Claim and counterclaim are used in writing arguments.
• To counter or argue a claim, consider a different opinion and contrary view. Then provide an evidence that would back up your document.
• Claim's signal words:

  • clearly
  • in light of
  • it is easy to see that
  • I believe that
  • experts agree or believe
• Counterclaim's signal words:

  • this is not true for
  • on the contrary
  • critics argue that, however
  • but
  • it may be true
  • it is often thought
  • if you look at the facts
• Claim presents what one thinks is true about a topic based on knowledge and research.
• The counterclaim disproves the claim with reasons and evidence. The goal is to weaken the main argument with your reasons and evidence.
• Rebuttal is evidence that negates or disagrees with the counterclaim.