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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