The different crops can be arranged various ways (in The Checkered Fields).

When the writer has gathered many pieces of researched information (for a particular instance of writing),

• there are various ways those pieces can be arranged for a viable target audience.

Methods of Development

In the context of writing-to-others,

• a method of development is a generally-recognized (and recognizable) pattern of pieces (of researched information), and
• writers often choose a specific method of development to use in arranging researched information for the target audience (of a particular instance of writing).

Common methods of development include:

1. A general-to-specific pattern (of information pieces)
• A specific-to-general pattern (of information pieces)
2. A chronological arrangement (of event-related information pieces)
• A reverse-chronological arrangement
  (of event-related information pieces)
3. An sequential (e.g., X, Y, Z) pattern (of information pieces)
• A reverse-sequential (e.g., Z, Y, X) pattern (of information pieces)
4. An ascending order-of-importance arrangement
   (of information pieces)
• A descending order-of-importance arrangement
  (of information pieces)
5. A spatial (e.g., top-to-bottom or left-to-right) arrangement
   (of information pieces)
6. A comparison (e.g., side-by-side) arrangement
   (of information pieces)
7. An arrangement (of information pieces) by category
   (e.g., by argument)

Choosing a Method of Development

When choosing a method of development (for a particular instance of writing), the writer might consider:

• which method of development (metaphorically) helps the target audience best make sense of the text's complexity,
  and
• which method of development (metaphorically) enhances the persuasiveness of the text