Authors develop their ideas in a variety of ways. The good reader has learned to recognize the common patterns used by authors to develop ideas.
An entire paragraph, or a long selection, may be developed by one single method. In other instances, a paragraph or selection may be developed by a combination of methods. When a combination occurs, one method provides a framework within which the other methods are used. For instance, a definition might be explained by examples, or by comparison/contrast.
When reading a paragraph or selection in which different methods of organization are used, it is helpful to recognize the principal method of development. Understanding the overall framework helps the reader understand the author’s ideas and predict the details. It allows the reader to think along with the author
