EFFECTIVE

WRITING

RHETORICAL PATTERNS

•Refer to a specific way of arranging information and ideas in a text or paragraph.

SIX EXAMPLES OF RHETORICAL PATTERNS OF

ORGANIZATION

DEFINITION•Stating the group to which something belongs and how it is different from other members of the same group.

Example: A Dalmatian belongs to the animal group called dogs. It is different in appearance from other dogs, because of its white colour and black spots.Self description example: I am from Ilocos, therefore I am an Ilocano. But I am different from most Ilocanos because I grew up in Manila.

CAUSE AND EFFECT•Telling what happens (result), with reasons

why it happened (cause).Example: Volcanoes erupt as a result of high pressure of liquid rock under the earth’s surface.Self description example: I am a very shy person because when I was young, I did not have many opportunities to be with other people.

COMPARISON•Describing the similarities and differences between two things.

Example: The Americans and the Japanese are both leaders in the field of industry and economics. The style of management of the Japanese however, is very different from that of Americans.•Self description example: My sister and I are of the same height and weight, but we differ in facial features.

CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER•Stating things in the order in which they

happened, according to time; from the newest to the oldest event, or from the earliest to the latest event.

Example: The first living creatures were single-celled organisms, then came fish, and then reptiles, then birds, and amphibians and lastly mammals.

Self description example: When I was a child, I was very naughty and got in trouble a lot, but then as a teenager I have changed and became quieter and got into less trouble. Right now, I can say that I am a very nice person and rarely ever have problems with other people.

DECREASING IMPORTANCE•Stating information, in order of importance, from

the most important to least important.Example: When choosing a job it is important to consider that you are qualified for it, the salary is worth the amount of work you would be doing, that the type of job is suitable for you, and that you will enjoy it. Other small things to keep in mind would be the benefits, the working environment, and the type of people that you will be working with.

Self description example: My main characteristics include my being assertive, sensible, friendly, and mature. Also, there are times when I can be fun to be with.

DEVELOPING THROUGH EXAMPLES

•Describing what you are writing about by providing examples.

Example: Hygiene refers to cleanliness in terms of your body and surrounding. Example of hygienic practices would include regular baths and daily household cleaning.Self description example: I am normally a calm person but I get angry sometimes. For example, I get angry when I get stuck in a traffic jam for three hours and then I am late for work, or when I cannot take a bath because there is no water.

Match each of the rhetorical patterns with their characteristics in the opposite column.Rhetorical Pattern Characteristics

1.Chronological order a.gives reasons for the result2. Cause and effect b. states characteristics3. Definition c. arranged as to when the

events happened4. Developing d. from most important to least

important details5. Decreasing importance e. gives similarities and

difference6. Comparison f. uses examples

EXAMPLES OF PURPOSES

AND POSSIBLE PATTERNS

♦ To argue a point or opinion – possible patterns: decreasing importance, comparison, cause and effect, developing through examples♦ To inform people to make them aware of something—possible patterns: definition, developing through examples, comparison

♦ To entertain or amuse the reader – possible patterns: developing through examples, decreasing importance♦ To give instruction – possible patterns: chronological order, cause and affect

♦ To tell a story – possible patterns: chronological order, cause and effect♦ To make the reader think and ask questions – possible patterns: comparison, definition, decreasing importance

THAT’S ALL

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