Idea development is essential in writing.

This is done by organizing ideas in a logical and clear manner that suits the writer’s purpose. To achieve this, it is
necessary to use appropriate grammatical signals or expressions.

Grammatical signals are writing devices such as transitional devices, connectors, determiners, and repetitions that are used to maintain text coherence.
Coherence establishes a logical connection between ideas in sentences and paragraphs. These ideas can be developed through different patterns depending on
the writer’s purpose.

Pattern of idea development refers to the structure of writing on how the ideas are being presented. Five of the commonly used patterns of idea development
are discussed in this module. These are the general to particular, cause and effect, claim-counterclaim, problem-solution, and persuasion. Let us explore them
and their appropriate grammatical signals.

A. General to Particular- This pattern of idea development discusses the general topic by presenting specific details that support the topic. The writer starts
with the general idea stated in the topic sentence. Then, it is elaborated and explained through specific details and examples. In other words, general to
particular pattern is a deductive method of organization.

EXAMPLE: Clouds can be classified into three major groups. High clouds are a group of clouds that are 5-13 km. away from the Earth’s surface. Examples of
these clouds are known as Cirrus, Cirrostratus, and Cirrocumulus. Middle clouds are another group of clouds that are 2-7 km. away from the Earth’s surface.
Examples of middle clouds are Altocumulus and Altostratus. Low clouds are the last group of clouds. They are 2 km. away from the Earth’s surface.
Specifically, these clouds are the Stratus, Stratocumulus, and Nimbostratus. With these being said, these clouds are grouped according to their distance from
the Earth’s surface.

B. Cause and Effect- This pattern of idea development explains the causes or the effects of something. When a writer presents reasons, he or she is
explaining the causes. When a writer explains the results, he or she is explaining the effects.

EXAMPLE: Regular exercise brings many benefits to your health. First, it improves blood circulation and can result to a strong heart. Because of these, it
reduces the risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes. When you exercise, your bones and muscles will be strengthened which can slow down the
loss of bone density that comes when you age. As a result, it can help you maintain or increase your muscle mass and strength. Also, regular exercise
improves your mental health and mood. During an exercise, your body releases chemicals that can improve your mood and make you feel more relaxed. As
an effect, it can help you deal with stress and reduce your risk of depression. These are the benefits that you get when you exercise.

These are the other grammatical signals that can be used for cause and effect pattern of idea development:

Cause: if, for, since, due to, because, owing to, because of, one cause, and resulting from

Effect: so, thus, hence, then, therefore, as a result, in effect, as consequence, consequently, leads to, one of the effects is, and that is why

B. Claim and Counterclaim- This pattern of idea development refers to the structure of presenting a side of an issue in an argumentative manner. A claim is
the writer’s stand on a topic supported by evidences and logical reasoning. Also, the writer presents the counterclaim or the opposite stand of an issue
to disprove it through evidences and logical reasoning.

EXAMPLE: People believe that rock music can make teenagers rebellious because of its lyrics but, I don’t think it is enough to make them go against society.
They say rock music concentrates mostly on antisocial subjects which influence teenagers’ view toward society. However, a study shows that an average
teenager would not take the music seriously, for he or she concentrates more on the musical value of the song rather than the inner meaning of the lyrics.
Thus, even though the lyrics in rock music show social rebellion, it does not make teenagers rebel against society.

C. Problem-Solution- This pattern of idea development is used when a writer identifies a problem and addresses it by presenting one or more solutions. A
problem refers to the unsatisfactory situation that causes troubles or difficulties. A solution on the other hand, refers to the ways in solving or
minimizing the problem.

Here are the other transitional devices that can be used for claim-counter-claim pattern of idea development:

however, nevertheless, on one hand, on the other hand, admittedly, some people say, some may say, of course, nevertheless, and but not only that

D. Persuasion- This pattern of idea development intends to convince the readers to do or believe in something. It allows the writer to express his or her
personal viewpoints about a topic to convince the readers. This pattern of idea development is based on opinions and emotions. Below are the
grammatical signals to be used in persuasive pattern of idea development.

Here are the grammatical signals to be used for problem-solution pattern of idea development:

because, cause, since, as a result, in order to, and so that, as a solution, and one way