4.5  Methods of Development: Making an Order or Series

The first reason in the outline about the time capsule could be developed by making a list and putting it in an effective order. As always, your purpose is the guide for choosing one structure or technique over another. Here is an example with a list of words. What is the order in which they are arranged?

quickly
nachos
order
want
you
to
I

Is the list more effective in alphabetical order?

I
nachos
order
quickly
to
want
you

Or is this order better:

I
want
you
to
order
nachos
quickly

Which order is right? They're all right. Word difficulty list are sometimes arranged in shortest to longest words. All kinds of lists are arranged alphabetically. Most sentences are arranged in subject/predicate order. Sometimes a random list will do, but the purpose of the list usually suggests some kind of order. A gift wish list for a birthday or holiday will probably start with what you want or think you have the best chance to get. A business manager might list things to do in their order of importance to her.

Let's go back to reason one in the outline: The set of photos would show that some things change. Items mentioned in the opinion (developed by comparing and contrasting) are:

1. windows

2. exterior walls

3. paint

4. landscaping

5. entry

6. doors

Let's use this order to develop reason one:

The set of photos would show that some things change. (1) In the new school, the windows are shiny and unbroken. (2) The outside of the building is clean and not chipped. (3) No paint is peeling. (4) The lawn is landscaped with tress, bushes, and flowers. (5) The approach to the school is a paved driveway leading up to a wide concrete sidewalk. (6) The eight entry doors are made of glass and steel.

Activity: Making an Order

Now, it's your turn. Revise this paragraph by rearranging the list in two different ways. The sentences are numbered to help you. When you have three different versions in front of you, see which one you like best. There is no one right answer. The point is, you decide on the final order. The set of photos would show that some things change. (1) In the new school, the windows are shiny and unbroken. (2) The outside of the building is clean and not chipped. (3) No paint is peeling. (4) The lawn is landscaped with tress, bushes, and flowers. (5) The approach to the school is a paved driveway leading up to a wide concrete sidewalk. (6) The eight entry doors are made of glass and steel.

Your prewriting will be two rearrange the items in the lists. Drafting will be writing the listed items into a paragraph for each version.

Your List 1:

Your Paragraph 1:

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