A paragraph developed by cause and effect shows the relationship between two statements; that is, one element results from the other. In the sample paragraph below, by listing many physical conditions and concomitant behaviors, the writer shows how climate affects the culture of a country. That is, The topic sentence Climate affects the culture of a country is developed by Supporting Sentences illustrating effects. In this style of development, the writer can list several effects resulting from one cause, as in the sample paragraph below, or he can list several causes to support one effect.
Climate has a significant impact on a country’s culture. Individuals must adapt to their environment, and climate is a crucial aspect of the physical surroundings. In tropical countries, life is less demanding and more typical compared to temperate regions. People in hot climates work shorter hours and with less intensity. They also cannot engage in physically demanding activities as they easily tire. Instead, they find relaxation in activities like reading, enjoying refreshing beverages, or listening to soothing music. It is important for them to conserve energy and the wisest individuals understand the importance of respecting the demands of Nature (Friend 1971143). 3. Comparison and Contrast.
A paragraph developed by comparison and contrast highlights the similarities or differences between two items by noting various aspects of both. In the following paragraph, the author discusses two types of elephants. Although they share similarities, the author endeavors to persuade readers of their distinctions by enumerating various differences, such as body color, ear size, and other characteristics. Sample paragraph: Two types of elephants exist: African and Indian. African elephants are bigger and darker, with larger ears and a forehead that slopes more.
Both can be lamed, but the Indian elephant is more easily trained to do work. When an African elephant sleeps, it usually stands up, but its Indian cousin usually sleeps lying down. (Yorker 1 982: 124) 4. Definition. When a writer uses a word that might cause confusion or misunderstanding, he must clarify the meaning for the reader. In the sample paragraph, the writer defines the meaning of compassion. He provides many synonyms, several examples, and an explanation of the meaning.
Sample Paragraph: Compassion is the ability to understand another person’s misfortunes- It is kindness, tenderness, mercy, pity, and sympathy. A nurse may have compassion for an irritable patient by understanding that the illness may be the cause of that patient’s behavior and by treating that patient with kindness and sympathy. An airline stewardess displays compassion for her passengers by considering the fact that they may be nervous about flying and by answering their questions in a patient, sympathetic manner. Similarly, a judge may have compassion for a juvenile offender by taking his age into consideration and setting the punishment accordingly. Compassion is not merely a verbal expression of sorrow.
Contributing money to charitable causes out of a sense of duty is not done begrudgingly. Compassion involves empathizing with another person’s situation and treating them as you would like to be treated (Donald et al. 1978:200). Instead of directly explaining an idea, the writer may opt to use an analogy – a simple situation with similarities to the main idea of the paragraph. In the provided example paragraph, the writer explains the difference between Newton’s and Einstein’s ideas regarding gravitation.
Instead of using technical terms, the author uses a symbolic story or analogy to explain the distinction between Newton’s and Einstein’s ideas about gravitation. The story involves a little boy playing marbles on an uneven ground in a city lot. From an office ten stories above, an observer would not be able to see the bumps and hollows in the ground.
