ORGANIZATIONAL METHODS:

INDUCTION

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Organizational Methods:  INDUCTION

 

(1) Inductive Reasoning
  • "Inductive" reasoning derives from a Latin word meaning "lead into."
  • Induction is the process of making a number of specific observations which lead to a general conclusion.
     
  • For example:
    • On Monday, I ate an apple and got sick.
    • On Tuesday, I ate apple pie and got sick.
    • On Wednesday, I ate apple strudel and got sick.
    • On Thursday, I ate an apple dumpling and got sick.
       
    • CONCLUSION:  Eating apples makes me sick.
       
(2) The Inductive Theme Pattern
  • The inductive theme generally begins with an introductory paragraph that leads up to a question, the answer to which is withheld until the paper's conclusion. That conclusion is the paper's main idea or thesis statement. The pattern looks something like this:
Introductory Paragraph

(50 - 100 Words)

Question to be answered
 
(100 - 150 words)

Supporting
Paragraph

(100 - 150 words)

Supporting
Paragraph

(100 - 150 words)

Supporting
Paragraph

Topic Sentence Topic Sentence Topic Sentence
 
Concluding Paragraph

(50 - 100 Words)

Thesis Statement

 

  • Using the inductive pattern of organization, the following outline might be constructed as the basis for a multi-paragraph paper that leads to a thesis statement at the paper's conclusion.
     
    • Question:  Should the state legislature pass a law making deposits on all beer and soft drink containers?
       
    • Supporting paragraph 1:  Beer and soda containers constitute a substantial portion of the unsightly and dangerous litter along our roadways.
       
    • Supporting paragraph 2:  The experience of other states shows that deposits on beverage containers encourage consumers to return them for recycling, thus substantially reducing litter.
       
    • Supporting paragraph 3:  The small additional cost to the consumer is more than justified by the enormous environmental benefits of such legislation.
       
    • Conclusion (thesis):  The state legislature should enact a law requiring consumers to pay a deposit on all beer and soda containers.
       
  • REMEMBER:
    • The inductive theme pattern begins with the presentation of a question and supports the development of the concluding thesis by examining various aspects of that question.
    • Following this pattern can help you to produce a unified, coherent paper which adequately develops its thesis.

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