Introduction to Modes of Development

By: Sean Savoie 

            Now that the SAT and the English Regents are done, at least for the time being, the next few articles in the New York Community Times will focus on the essay styles that soon-to-be college students must understand to achieve success. Keep in mind that, at least for freshman and sophomore year, essays serve the function of evidencing how well the student is able to perceive and make correlations between various areas of information. The ability to draw conclusions from facts, rather than simply memorize them, is developed well in the higher levels of an American education. Despite the problems the United States is grappling with in maintaining and further developing its primary and second public schools, the colleges and universities of the U.S. remain internationally supreme. The DIY (do it yourself) attitude in the U.S. pays off primarily in higher education, where the constant questioning of methodology, statistics, and authority leads to new discoveries and advancements. 

            The expression ‘mode of development’ in writing refers to the writing techniques that are used to address a specific issue under certain guidelines and/or for intended effect in an essay. In other words, the modes of development may be techniques within an essay or the style of the essay itself. The basic modes are exampling, description, narration, definition, comparison and contrast, classification and division, process, cause and effect, and argumentation. Learning the modes individually is perhaps best because each mode of development has unique aspects. Making use of them enables a writer to vary essays in very precise ways.            

            Do not underestimate the power of description! Description of a certain person, thing, or event produces imagery and stimulates the creative side of the reader. It is used in many different types of essays, yet, as a single technique, could completely support a thesis. Literary techniques such as simile, metaphor, analogy, personification, etc… are excellent tools for description. How might a description be an essay? Well, remember that a thesis may be stated or unstated (implied or explicit). Let the description do the work for you. 

            For example, if a professor requests an essay regarding how the government needs to make decisions more quickly, first ask the professor if any specific type of mode of development is preferred; if not, consider your own single, double, or multiple-mode approach to the thesis. Could the main idea be summarized in one extended example or several shorter examples exclusively? The hurricane Katrina incident, if described in the right way, could strongly imply that the current administration is incompetent without coming out to say it directly. It could even be said that people are often more convinced of an opinion if they come to the conclusions themselves. 

            How about if a professor demands an essay that captures the importance of character and integrity? Clearly summarizing the life of an individual may serve this end neatly. There is no lack of examples.......No, I take that back. This is a lack. Still, choices abound: Martin Luther King, Jr. Gandhi, Siddhartha Gotama (Buddha), Christ, Rosa Parks, etc… The creative focus of this approach may not satisfy all professors, yet it is very possible to make a point so poignant with description alone that the reader will cry. 

            Consider the following general essay topics and think of the description of a person, situation, or thing that could address the following topics: 

1.      Is formal education necessary for financial success?

2.      Is the environment changing at rate faster than previously thought?

3.      What single event has most effected the 20^th century?

4.      What event has recently changed your life?

5.      What is the power of love?

6.      What is the ideal boss like?

7.      Is time relative?

8.      Are family relationships more important than friendships?

9.      Is the United States better off than it was twenty years ago?

10.  What is an important aspect of your self? 

Notice how an example may come to mind right away. Crafted well, such a description could do all the work in making the point.