Purpose, Pattern and Process

Purpose, Pattern, and Process explores the processes writers engage in when they write. It focuses on how the purpose of the writing and the patterns of organization used to develop the content affect how those writing processes work. The organization and much of the content of this text is based on theories developed by James Kinneavy in A Theory of Discourse. This gives students a comprehensive theoretical framework that allows them to explore a variety of different kinds of writing in a systematic way and to make informed decisions about their own writing.

How Purpose, Pattern, and Process is organized:

• Introduction – defines the basic terminology used and shows how the three concepts are interconnected.
• Part I “Purpose” – covers four kinds of writing: expressive, literary, persuasive, and referential.
• Part II “Pattern” – covers the four basic patterns of organization: classification, description, narration, and evaluation.
• Part III “Process” – explains four necessary activities: getting ideas, creating details, focusing writing, and refining the language.
• Part IV “Additional Readings and Student Writing” – provides thirty selections that illustrate the principles discussed in the earlier parts of the book.

Purpose, Pattern, and Process includes ancillary materials available online:

• Content quizzes
• Additional materials for selected chapters
• Additional readings with discussion questions and writing assignments