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 Paragraph
Patterns in
Expository Writing:
Pattern 2
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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 2 Paragraphs
Pattern 2 paragraphs place the topic sentence last in a stream
of sentences. Sometimes referred to as the "exploratory" paragraph,
it generates through the discussion a conclusion drawn from the
information "explored" or introduced in the body of the paragraph
that comes before it.
An Example of a Pattern 2 Paragraph
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Topic
Sentence
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First it was the shifting emphasis on the part
of marketing directors 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. Marketing exhibitions in shopping centers
is becoming difficult. |
Note that the pronoun "it" in the first
sentence of the paragraph points to something as of yet undefined. Only
the sense of the meaning of "it" becomes clearer through the
development of the discussion, a meaning finally stated in the phrase,
"leasing of major exhibitions to shopping centers." The topic
sentence, introduced at the end of the paragraph, makes a claim that is
now quite obvious. We can say, in terms of argumentation, that the discussion
above contain the "premises" which lead to the "conclusion."
This is why Pattern 2 paragraphs are sometimes referred to as "exploratory
paragraphs."
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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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