Handout: The Paragraph - Methods of Development
When you write a paragraph you are trying to achieve a particular goal. You may be trying to tell a story, or you may be comparing things or you may be explaining a process. There are many other things you may be trying to do. The following is a list of some ways to develop paragraphs.
Narration Telling a story in a sequence of events.
Description Using Sensory images to create a picture with words.
Example or Illustration Giving instances or illustrations of the main idea.
Comparison/Contrast Showing similarities or differences.
Cause and effect Examining the reasons why or examining the outcomes for an event.
Definition Analyzing the meaning of a word or concept.
Classification Dividing the subject up into groups or parts.