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 Paragraph
Patterns in
Expository Writing:
Pattern 1
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Paragraphs reflect the development of a single
idea. Where that single idea--what we call the main idea--is
announced in the paragraph determines the paragraph pattern. Since the
main idea is contained in the topic sentence of a paragraph, where that
topic sentence appears determines the paragraph's classification by type.
Generally, we can distinguish between two types
of paragraph patterns: Pattern 1 and Pattern 2.
Pattern 1 Paragraphs
Pattern 1 paragraphs place the topic sentence at or near the
beginning of the paragraph. Usually, the topic sentence will be the very
first sentence. Occasionally, a Pattern 1 paragraph may begin with
one or two sub-thesis sentences if the paragraph is the first in a section
of a longer discussion or essay.
An Example of a Pattern 1 Paragraph
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Echo
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Marketing exhibitions in major shopping
malls is becoming difficult. Marketing directors are shifting emphasis
from "dog and pony" shows to advertising. This shift is due primarily
to merchants who find it difficult to relate their sales and merchandizing
efforts to unrelated activities. Recent research suggests also that shoppers
don't come to malls primarily to see the "Lone Ranger" or ceramic
displays by local craftsment. In addition to shifts in marketing strategies,
the economic recession has had its impact on the leasing of major exhibitions
to shopping centers. The budgets of some merchants associations have collapsed,
sometimes almost overnight. Budgets for promotions are solely dependent
upon local merchant contributions. When sales are down in local stores,
they are unable to keep their commitment to a promotional budget. If it
comes to the point of deciding between a given promotion and the salary
of the marketing director, an exhibition will be cancelled, contract or
no contract. Exhibitors dependent primarily on shopping centers are
facing some hard times. |
Note that the last sentence in the paragraph is
a paraphrase of the topic sentence at the beginning. Such a closing sentence
is called an "echo" of the topic sentence and provides a strong
sense of closure.
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This page was last modified
on July 9, 2005,
and is maintained by
Dr.
Geoffrey A. Grimes.
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