pattern.general/specific

Pattern: Moving from the General to the Specific

As we describe or explain something, we often move from the general to the specific. Read the sample paragraph below, and then read the explanation about how the paragraph is organized.

Also, note that this sample uses two examples, busy teachers and parents, to support the idea that the author was not prodded to learn. Additionally, notice how this paragraph does not have a conclusion that wraps up the main idea. If this paragraph is a stand-alone piece of writing, adding a sentence that summarizes the main points would be a good idea. However, if this paragraph is a part of a longer paper, it may not be necessary to have a clear concluding sentence; it all depends on what goes on in the paragraph the follows.

Sample Paragraph

It's a struggle to relearn everything again when almost half your life is gone. As I begin to relearn my math, I find myself looking back and trying to understand where it all went wrong. First off, I can look at myself and see that part of the blame can be placed on me, as I never really applied myself as much as I could. But then, I feel that my teachers in Junior High didn't try to help or prod me to learn. The teachers didn't have time to concentrate on individual students, and my parents were too busy with work to really sit down and help me. And I doubt that there was much communication between school and home.

Organization Pattern

(1) This paragraph moves from the general to the specific. In the first sentence, the main topic of "Trouble in Math" is not stated.
(2) By the second sentence, however, the student has narrowed the topic to math and to "where it all went wrong."
(3) As expected from this set-up, the sentences that follow develop ideas that might explain why this student has trouble with math.

(1) It's a struggle to relearn everything again when almost half your life is gone.

(2) As I begin to relearn my math, I find myself looking back and trying to understand where it all went wrong.

(3) First off, I can look at myself and see that part of the blame can be placed on me, as I never really applied myself as much as I could. But then, I feel that my teachers in Junior High didn't try to help or prod me to learn. The teachers didn't have time to concentrate on individual students, and my parents were too busy with work to really sit down and help me. And I doubt that there was much communication between school and home.

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