ORDER OF LISTING

ORDER OF LISTING

Remember that the purpose of an enumerative paragraph is to break down a general class or a whole into its parts, categories, types, etc. The supporting sentences of an enumerative paragraph will then focus on these individual parts, categories, types, etc. You may now ask yourself:

1. Which of these parts or types should I talk about in the first supporting sentence?

2. In what order should I list these parts, categories, or types?

3. According to which criterion should I arrange my supporting sentences?

It all depends on the importance of the elements to be listed. On the whole, there are three types of listing arrangements you can make:

Equal order Ascending order Descending order

You should decide whether all the elements to be listed are equally important, strong, basic, influential, large, and so on. If so, it makes no difference which one goes in the first supporting sentence, which in the second, and so forth. This method of arrangement is called equal or random ordering. In random ordering, no element is presented as being more important or less important than any other element. In fact, a random-order paragraph represents a simple, straightforward list. In the sample paragraphs above, different kinds of aircrafts and bicycles have been discussed in a random-order list. There is no reason to consider one type of bicycle or aircraft to be more important than the other types.

Sometimes, however, you wish to indicate that one item on your list should receive special attention. That is, you feel that one item on your list is more important, more interesting, more influential, stronger, bigger, or more basic than the other items on the list. If so, random

ENUMERATION 67 ENUMERATION 67

In ascending order, you begin with minor points and save the most important for last . This keeps the reader interested. In fact it will give a "dramatic structure" to your paragraph. Ascending order will take the readers step-by-step to the climax of your paragraph.

In the following sample paragraph, the writer has used the ascending order of arrangement for the development of the topic sentence.

There are five reasons why most people prefer a Paykan over other types of personal car. First of all, Paykan is the most compatible car to the climatic conditions of I ran. Second, it is cheaper than almost all other types of cars. Moreover, its maintenance and repair does not require special skill and expertise. The chief reason, however, is that the spare parts are available in almost every garage.

Now, study the analysis that follows. Pay attention to the visual techniques used to indicate ascending order:

Topic: Reasons why people prefer Paykan Reason 1: compatibility to climatic conditions

Reason 2: cost Reason 3: easy maintenance Reason 4: easy repair Reason 5: easy access to spare parts

In descending order, the writer moves in the opposite direction. He will begin by the most important point first. Then, he goes on to speak of the other points. In fact, descending order is the inverse of descending order. In the following sample paragraph, the writer has used the ascending order of arrangement for the development of the topic sentence.

There are five reasons why most people prefer a Paykan over other types of personal car. The chief reason is that its spare parts can be

68 ENUMERATION 68 ENUMERATION

Now, study the analysis that follows. Pay attention to the visual techniques used to indicate descending order:

Topic: Reasons why people prefer Paykan Reason 1: easy access to spare parts

Reason 2: easy maintenance Reason 3: easy repair Reason 4: cost Reason 5: compatibility to climatic conditions

NOTI CE:

¾ In equal or random order, the writer feels that all items are equally important.

¾ In ascending order, the writer feels that one item is more important, essential, etc., than the others. He places it last.

¾ In descending order, the writer feels that one item is more important, essential, etc., than the others. He places it first.

EXERCI SE

1. Read the following paragraph carefully.

According to their body length, sharks fall into three major categories. The shortest body length belongs to hammer-head sharks. They live in tropical waters. These sharks are known for their flattened, T-shaped heads. The length of the body of a hammerhead shark is larger than 3.5 m. Nurse

ENUMERATION 69 ENUMERATION 69

2. Examine the paragraph carefully and try to answer the following questions as precisely as possible:

1. I s this a unified paragraph? 2. Are there any sentences that do not relate to the topic sentence

directly? 3. What is the enumerator in the topic sentence of the paragraph? 4. What is the criterion according to which the paragraph has been

developed?

3. Now, complete the following analysis on the basis of the information you get from the paragraph. Underline the item which you think the writer has emphasized in the paragraph.

Topic: _______________________________________________

I tem 1: _______________________________________________ I tem 2: _______________________________________________ I tem 3: _______________________________________________

4. Can you rewrite the paragraph in any other way? If so, please do it.