1. GETTING TO GRIPS WITH LARGER PATTERNS
This book has been explained some larger patterns of discourse discourse organisation
at various points. How the patterns are formed in written text ?.
Text structures, or patterns of organization, not only vary from writing to writing, but
text structures may also change frequently from paragraph to paragraph within a single piece
of writing. Patterns is one of the important thing in written taxt skill that can be found in a
text. One point to note about patterns is that they are of no fixed size in terms of number of
sentences or paragraphs contained in them. Another point is that any given text may contain
more than one of the common patterns, either following one another or embedded within one
another. Thus a problem-solution pattern may contain general specific patterns within
individual segments, or a claim-counterclaim pattern when proposed solutions are being
evaluated.
Poblem –Solution Patterns.
The problem and solution pattern reflects a form of critical thinking that tends to be
more argumentative and evaluative. You may find this pattern useful in writing case studies,
critiques, introductions, reports of scientific investigations, literary reviews, political and
social discourse, white papers, proposals, many kinds of reports, and essay examinations.
From University of Maryland University College online site
(http://www.umuc.edu/writingcenter/onlineguide/chapter3-12.cfm) The most common forms
of this pattern sequence the information in one of two ways:
(1) problem-process-solution or
(2) problem-cause-solution.
Both patterns first describe the problem and then proceed through diagnosis and analysis
to propose a solution. The diagnosis and analysis may include an evaluation of processes or
procedures or a discussion of causes contributing to the problem.
For example, you might use this pattern to write a paper discussing how diabetes is being
treated through diet, drugs, exercise, and surgery. Your process analysis would examine the
progression of the disease and the different ways to treat it. The solution you propose might
include one or more of the current treatment modalities, and you would evaluate the merits of
your solution in light of the life-saving procedures you discussed. In the problem-cause-

2. solution pattern, you might describe why diabetes is a serious health problem and the known
causes of diabetes, such as diet, genetics, biochemical processes, and obesity. Your proposed
solution for preventing diabetes or mitigating its effects would then be based on what you
know about these causes.
Another type of problem-solution centre is in advertising text. In this type, the problem of
is pointed on the title with question form than the solution is answered in the content. This
problem-solution text is also called Question-answer pattern.
Example :
General-Specific Pattern
The general-to-specific pattern is probably one of the more common patterns in
college writing. It may be used in any of these familiar places:
(1) introduction to a paper
(2) background in a research paper
(3) opening paragraphs for a discussion or an analysis
(4) essay examination answers
As the name suggests, this pattern is characterized by a movement in your thinking from a
generalization to specific details. Your opening paragraph would begin with a general
statement and then add details that explain it. The details may continue to become

3. increasingly more specific. The pattern ends with a broad statement that summarizes your
thinking that resulted from the details.
Example of general-spesific pattern :
Sixth grade students studying for the exam two months to come. They are very
concentrated on the lessons given by the teacher. Looks quieter classroom situation. Peace of
their class does not mean silent or quiet, but they live classroom atmosphere, that is the
emergence of frequently asked questions about subjects that are being discussed. The lively
atmosphere is really inspiring teachers in delivering course material. Also a lively
atmosphere that raises the seriousness of the students in learning. Active learning atmosphere
created was done and sixth grade students in the exam.
Claim-Counterclaim Pattern
This pattern usually can be found in argumentative text or essay. Also frequent in
political jurnalism, magazines and newapaper. In organizing the essay, the easy way to use is
with the Toulmin Method. The basic format for the Method is as follows.
Claim: The overall thesis the writer will argue for.
Data: Evidence gathered to support the claim.
Warrant (also referred to as a bridge): Explanation of why or how the data supports the
claim, the underlying assumption that connects your data to your claim.
Backing (also referred to as the foundation): Additional logic or reasoning that may be
necessary to support the warrant.
Counterclaim: A claim that negates or disagrees with the thesis/claim.
Rebuttal: Evidence that negates or disagrees with the counterclaim.
Example of Claim-Counterclaim pattern:
Claim: Hybrid cars are an effective strategy to fight pollution.
Data1: Driving a private car is a typical citizen's most air polluting activity.

4. Warrant 1: Because cars are the largest source of private, as opposed to industry produced,
air pollution switching to hybrid cars should have an impact on fighting pollution.
Data 2: Each vehicle produced is going to stay on the road for roughly 12 to 15 years.
Warrant 2: Cars generally have a long lifespan, meaning that a decision to switch to a hybrid
car will make a long-term impact on pollution levels.
Data 3: Hybrid cars combine a gasoline engine with a battery-powered electric motor.
Warrant 3: This combination of technologies means that less pollution is produced.
According to ineedtoknow.org "the hybrid engine of the Prius, made by Toyota, produces 90
percent fewer harmful emissions than a comparable gasoline engine."
Counterclaim: Instead of focusing on cars, which still encourages a culture of driving even
if it cuts down on pollution, the nation should focus on building and encouraging use of mass
transit systems.
Rebuttal: While mass transit is an environmentally sound idea that should be encouraged, it
is not feasible in many rural and suburban areas, or for people who must commute to work;
thus hybrid cars are a better solution for much of the nation's population.
The patterns are usually easy to find in every kind of text, but the most important is
how the structure and how the sentence/phrase connect each other. How we connect the
sentences/words with proper conjuction and using rational opinion/idea. There is no rule for
us to use one pattern in a text, it can be more. It can be widely contained on phrases,
sentences and paragraph.

5. References :
Mccarthy, Michael (1991). Discourse Analysis for Language Teachers.Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
University of Maryland University College. Online Guide to Writing and Research. cited 3
May 2014, from http://www.umuc.edu/writingcenter/onlineguide/chapter3-12.cfm
20 Owl Purdue University (25 February 2014). Organizing Your Argument, cited 4 May 2014,
From https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/588/03/
Petterson, J.E. ; Ridge, Marriot (Power Point Document). Introducing: Argument, the
Counterclaim and Rebuttal. From http://teacherweb.com

6. DISCOURSE ANALYSIS
GETTING TO GRIPS WITH LARGER PATTERNS
By :
Name : Deta Pahlega Ariyansyah P.
P.
Class : VI A
St. ID : E1D 011 017
FACULTY OF TEACHER TRAINING AND EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF MATARAM

7. 2014