Paragraph Development Specifics
Facts, Statistics, Reasons
A fact is a piece of information with objective reality. Statistics are numerical facts. A reason is a statement offered as a logical explanation or justification. Facts, statistics, and reasons can be used singly or in combination, as in the following example.
The whale is the most astonishing animal the earth has ever known. It does not merely inspire superlatives-it is a living superlative. Some whales are much larger than the gigantic dinosaurs of the Mesozoic. It would take 25 elephants, or 2000 human beings, to equal the weight of a single blue whale; its tongue alone weighs as much as an elephant. The blue whale is as long as four buses placed end to end. The skeleton weighs 18 tons, its blubber 30, its meat 44. When it blows at the ocean’s surface, the spout looks for all the world like a new cloud in the sky. - Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Yves Paccalet, The Assault on Whales
Definition
Depending on your audience, or sometimes your subject, you may need to define key words in your composition. Sometimes this can be done in a sentence or two, or even parenthetically. Occasionally you may want to provide an extended definition (as in the example that follows). To define a term, first place it in a class of similar items and then show how it is different from the others in that class. For example, a wrist watch is in the class of devices for telling time and is differentiated from other items in this class because it is relatively small and worn on the wrist.
A cough is a reflexive action that clears the airways of mucus, phlegm, or other blockages. There are two types of coughs, productive and dry. The productive cough, producing phlegm, unblocks the airways, while the dry cough, usually caused by a viral infection, irritates the nasal passages. Medication is often the only way to relieve a dry cough, while medication for a productive cough should be avoided.
Process Analvsis
There are two types of process analysis: informational and instructional. Informational process analysis explains how something workshow blood moves through the circulatory system or how tides occur. The following explanation of how champagne was first made and how it has been made ever since is informational.
The next time you find an excuse to break open a bottle of champagne-be it New Year’s, a wedding, or a whim-you might raise your effervescent glass in solemn thanks to one blind Benedictine monk who made it all possible. Three centuries ago there lived in northern France a great blender of wines, Dom Perignon, who served as cellar-master at the Benedictine Abbey of Hautvillers for forty-seven years. For some reason that we may never know, this monk decided one day to seal his bottles with cork instead of the usual cloth soaked in oil. The carbon dioxide that is produced during fermentation could pass through the cloth, but was imprisoned by the new stopper. The result: a sparkling wine. - Caroline Sutton, “How Did They Discover Champagne?”
Instructional process analysis gives directions on how to do something and usually follows a time pattern-first you do this and then you do this (see PARA 3a, Chronological order). Gladstone’s paragraph is instructional, telling step-by-step how to build a good fireplace fire.
Though “experts” differ as to the best technique to follow when building a fire, one generally accepted method consists of first laying a generous amount of crumpled newspaper on the hearth between the andirons. Kindling wood is then spread generously over this layer of newspaper and one of the thickest logs is placed across the back of the andirons. This should be as close to the back of the fireplace as possible, but not quite touching it. A second log is then placed an inch or so in front of this, and a few additional sticks of kindling are laid across these two. A third log is then placed on top to form a sort of pyramid with air spaces between all logs so that flames can lick freely up between them. - Bernard Gladstone, “How to Build a Fire in a Fireplace”
