SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Holy Angel University #1 Holy Angel Avenue, Sto. Rosario, Angeles City READING AND WRITING First Quarter Period PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT A paragraph is a series of sentences that are organized, coherent, and are all related to a single topic. For a paragraph, or for any composition, to be effective, it must always consider the Properties of a Well-Written Text. These properties are: Organization, Coherence and Cohesion, Unity, Language Use, and Mechanics. The first line of a paragraph is usually indented. This indentation of a paragraph indicates where the paragraph begins. Remember that you must capitalize the first word in each sentence and end each sentence with a punctuation mark, most often a period (.).
What’s Inside? I - Properties of a Well-Written Text A. Organization B. Coherence and Cohesion C. Unity D. Language Use E. Mechanics (with Proofreading) II - Implicit and Explicit Claims A. Claim of Fact B. Claim of Value C. Claim of Policy III - Context of Text Development A. Intertext B. Hypertext
Parts of Paragraph Introduction The first section of a paragraph; it should include the topic sentence and any other sentences at the beginning of the paragraph that give background information or provide a transition. Body Follows the introduction; discusses the controlling idea, using facts, arguments, analysis, examples, or other information. Conclusion The final section; summarizes the connections between the information discussed in the body of the paragraphs and the paragraph's controlling idea. Types of Sentence in a Paragraph Topic Sentence This states the main topic of the paragraph and the controlling idea When writing the topic sentence, try to state the main point of the paragraph ad clearly and as accurately as possible. Do not make the topic sentence too general or too specific. Too general Too specific
Better
Studying overseas was deemed to be very difficult. Studying overseas was deemed to be very difficult for 63% of the people surveyed who cited a range of difficulties including homesickness, loneliness, difficulty making foreign friends, changes to diet, health problems, weight gain and difficulties with money and jobs. Studying overseas was deemed to be very difficult for 63% of the people surveyed due to the impacts of culture shock, financial concerns and health concerns.
Supporting Sentences These develop the topic sentence. Supporting details should be drawn from a variety of sources and based on research, experiences, etc. plus the writer's own analysis. Using a combination of different supports is the most common and effective way to strengthen the paragraph. Concluding Sentence This signals the end of the paragraph and leaves the reader with important points to remember, but is often unnecessary.
ORGANIZATION also known as arrangement, is achieved when ideas are logically and accurately arranged with focus on the arrangement of ideas, incidents, evidence, or details in a definite order in a paragraph, essay, or speech. It can be done with a recognizable plan that defines one sentence connection to the other sentence and paragraph to the other paragraph. Check the following paragraph arrangements and the words which are useful in securing in each of them: 1. Chronological Order - first, second, later, before, next, as soon as, after, then, finally, meanwhile, following, last, during, in, on, until 2. Order of Importance - less, more, primary, next, last, most important, primarily, secondarily 3. Spatial Order - above, below, beside, next to, in front of, behind, inside, outside, opposite, within, nearby 4. Definition Order - is, refers to, can be defined as, means, consists of, involves, is a term that, is called 5. Classification - classified as, comprises, is composed of, several, varieties of, different stages of, different groups that 6. Process - first, next, then, following, after that, last, finally 7. Cause and Effect - Causes: because, for, since, stems from, one cause is, one reason is, leads to, causes, creates, yields, due to, breeds, for this reason // Effects: consequently, results in, one result is, therefore, thus, as a result, hence 8. Comparison and Contrast - Similarities: both, also, similarly, like, likewise, too, as well as, resembles, correspondingly, in the same way, to compare, in comparison, share// Differences: unlike, differs from, in contrast, on the other hand, instead, despite, nevertheless, however, in spite of, whereas, as opposed to 9. Listing - the following, several, for example, for instance, one, another, also, too, in other words, first, second, numerals (1, 2, 3...), letters (a, b, c...) 10. Clarification - in fact, in other words, clearly 11. Summary - in summary, in conclusion, in brief, to summarize, to sum up, in short, on the 12. Example - for example, for instance, to illustrate 13. Addition - furthermore, additionally, also, besides, further, in addition, moreover, again When ideas are organized well, a text can achieve Coherence, Cohesion, and Unity. Coherence – occurs when ideas are connected at the conceptual level Cohesion – connection of ideas at the sentence level Unity – achieved when a composition contains one focused idea COHERENCE refers to the overall sense of unity in a passage, including both the main point of sentences and the main point of each paragraph. A coherent passage focuses the reader’s attention on the main ideas and the specific people, things, and events you are writing about. COHESION is also a very important aspect of academic writing because it immediately affects the tone of your writing. Cohesive writing does not mean just “grammatically correct” sentences; cohesive writing refers to the connection of your ideas both at the sentence level and at the paragraph level. Cohesion is important because it allows writers to make multiple references to people, things, and events without reintroducing them at each turn. If we had to repeat these every time we wanted to refer to them, the text would be very tedious to read. Techniques to improve paragraph cohesion: Transitions Use a conjunction or conjunctive adverb to link sentences with particular logical relationships. To Specify Sequence again, also, and, and then, besides, finally, first . . . second . . . third, furthermore, last, moreover, next, still, too To Specify Time after a few days, after a while, afterward, as long as, as soon as, at last, at that time, before, earlier, immediately, in the meantime, in the past, lately, later, meanwhile, now, presently, simultaneously, since, so far, soon, then, thereafter, until, when
To Specify Comparison again, also, in the same way, likewise, once more, similarly To Specify Contrast although, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, instead, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the contrary, on the one hand . . . on the other hand, regardless, still, though, yet To Specify Examples after all, for example, for instance, indeed, in fact, of course, specifically, such as, the following example, to illustrate To Specify Cause and Effect accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this reason, hence, if . . . then, since, so, then, therefore, thereupon, thus, to this end
To Specify Place above, adjacent to, below, beyond, closer to elsewhere, far, farther on, here, near, nearby, opposite to, there, to the left, to the right To Specify Concession although it is true that, granted that, I admit that, it may appear that, naturally, of course To Specify Summary, Repetition, or Conclusion as a result, as has been noted, as I have said, as mentioned earlier, as we have seen, in any event, in conclusion, in other words, in short, on the whole, therefore, to summarize Repetition In sentence B, repeat a word from sentence A. Synonymy If direct repetition is too obvious, use a synonym of the word you wish to repeat. This strategy is called 'elegant variation.' Antonymy Using the 'opposite' word, an antonym, can also create sentence cohesion, since in language antonyms actually share more elements of meaning than you might imagine. Pro-forms Use a pronoun, pro-verb, or another pro-form to make explicit reference back to a form mentioned earlier. Collocation Use a commonly paired or expected or highly probable word to connect one sentence to another. Enumeration Use overt markers of sequence to highlight the connection between ideas. This system has many advantages: (a) it can link ideas that are otherwise completely unconnected, (b) it looks formal and distinctive, and (c) it promotes a second method of sentence cohesion. Parallelism Repeat a sentence structure. This technique is the oldest, most overlooked, but probably the most elegant method of creating cohesion. Check these examples: Coherent but not cohesive Cohesive but not coherent Coherent and cohesive
"My favorite color is blue. I'm calm and relaxed. In the summer I lie on the grass and look up." “My favorite color is blue. Blue sports cars go very fast. Driving in this way is dangerous and can cause many car crashes. I had a car accident once and broke my leg. I was very sad because I had to miss a holiday in Europe because of the injury." "My favorite color is blue. I like it because it is calming and it relaxes me. I often go outside in the summer and lie on the grass and look into the clear sky when I am stressed. For this reason, I'd have to say my favorite color is blue."
UNITY is achieved when a composition is focused on one idea. In a unified text, all supporting ideas are relevant to the main thought. Without unity, text will be confusing. Topic Sentence/ Thesis Statement/ Lead Supporting Sentences Cohesive Device Conclusion Organization about arrangement of: Ideas Incident Details Evidence Order
Learning check up! Use appropriate connectors to join the sentences. 1. I prefer folk music. My girlfriend adores heavy metal. 2. He’s received three threatening letters. He is continuing to investigate the case. 3. The referee blew his whistle to start the game. It began to pour with rain. 4. Her boyfriend is very good-looking. He’s a damn good cook. 5. She was absolutely exhausted. She’s just finished her final exams.
is Coherence is the Cohesion is the Unity is oneness of the connection the ideas connection of ideas in ideas all pertaining to in the concept level: the sentence level: the theme or the topic sentence. Is the first topic Did it use pronouns related to the next? properly? Things to check: Is this sentence Did it use Lead connected to the topic transitions? Topic Sentence sentence? Thesis Statement Did it do repetition of the subject matter?
LANGUAGE USE is one of the clearest indicators of a well written text. It enables writers to effectively communicate ideas without confusing the reader. An effective language is: Specific, Concise, Familiar, Correct, and Appropriate Levels of in Language Use 1. Informal/ Personal - slang, local expressions, text messaging Hey Bes Yow Sup Pet (friend) Nigga OTW GNyt Dude BRB SML KUTGW 2. Standard/Academic - widely accepted words and phrases found in books, magazines, and newspapers Note to a professor: I missed last night’s class and will e-mail my paper later. The problem was on garbage management as it greatly affects the students who are occupying the SJH Blg. 3. Business/Technical - scientific terms, jargons, and special expressions Psychiatrist’s report: “Dissociative rage order is not indicated by the ER assessment.” Principles in Language Use/ Diction 1. Use clear and concise sentences, usually about 18 words long. 2. Avoid redundancies, cliches wordiness, and highfalutin 3. Although may be used, avoid overusing “There” and “It”, drop it 4. Use precise vocabulary. Be accurate. Condensed. 5. Be consistent in pronoun POV 6. Avoid sexist language. 7. Use appropriate level of formality. Use clear and concise sentences, usually of 18 words long. Image is a very important factor in politics because Image is an important factor in politics. Once the once the reputation of a person is smeared by reputation of a person is smeared by accusations, accusations, the people’s perception of the person is the people’s perception of the person is forever forever tainted and it may cause him to lose tainted. The person may lose his credibility and trust, credibility and trust even when the truth behind even when the allegations are not yet verified. allegations is not yet verified.
Bullying is something that can be prevented by the students and this has to be handled by parents and school staff. Parents and teachers can help children understand what bullying is and explain to the children that bullying is bad while the teachers too should get involved directly and educate children on the harmful effects that might bullying can cause to someone.
Try making this concise and clear!
Avoid redundancies, cliches wordiness, and highfalutin Although offsprings are taught not obtain free gifts Although children are told not to take gifts from from strangers, at the present moment many still do. strangers, many still do. Sample Cliches are Time will tell, in a jiffy, brave as a lion, opposites attract, all is well that ends well, once upon a time, time and time again Sample highfalutin are Hackslaver - to hesitate or stammer in speech Hedley-medley - a confused jumble Heimate - to spend the winter somewhere
Avoid excessive use of “there” and “it” There's a book on the table. A book is on the table. There's a coffee shop next to the station. It was John who cleaned the flat. It seems as though we might need some more money. Out of the darkness, there rode a knight, mounted on a fine horse. Use precise vocabulary. Be accurate. Shafts that control the brake during urgent situations are built inside MRT trains to keep the passengers free from harm. There is a requirement that all students have an evaluation of their transcripts for placement purposes or to meet a prerequisite. We are endeavoring to construct a more inclusive society.
Emergency levers are installed in every MRT train for the safety of the passengers. The college requires that the admissions office evaluate all student transcripts for placement and prerequisites. We're going to make a country in which no one is left out.
Be consistent on pronoun POV We should simply accept the fate is simply an We should simply accept the fate is simply an illusion; you must not leave our decisions something illusion; we must not leave our decisions something that does not exist. that does not exist. They might start out by joking, but calling someone a name with the intent of hurting you is not okay. Be sure your child understands calling someone a name, even if he feel the person deserves it, is not okay and is a form of bullying. Avoid sexist Language The teacher is the person who organises the class. He is the one who controls timekeeping and the sequence of events. Each student makes up his own schedule. When a student writes a paper, they must proofread carefully.
Appropriate level of Formality Yes, diskette are like thing of the past, but they’re still Diskette may be outdated, but they are still cool today. fascinating If bullying problems occur, be sure to chat your adviser about the problem and seek their assistance immediately in resolving the matter. I would like to thank you my boss, Principal Parker, the staff, the people beind this award, and the young fellas of BHS for selecting me for this honor.
MECHANICS focuses on the technicalities of the structure. It determines errors on subject-verb agreement, prepositions, tenses, the grammar, spelling, capitalization, abbreviations and acronyms, the use of numbers as part of the statement, and the punctuation marks.
Spelling Capitalization Abbreviation and Acronyms Numbers Punctuation Marks Grammar
Punctuation Marks 1. PERIOD (.) used after sentences, in abbreviations, and as decimals 2. EXCLAMATION POINT (!) placed at the emphatic or forceful sentences 3. QUESTION MARK (?) placed at the end of a question and to note questionable items 4. QUOTATION MARKS (“ ”) to indicate direct quotations - for titles of poems, short stories, chapters, essays, songs, episodes of television shows 5. APOSTROPHE (’) to show possession (Angel’s bag), to show missing letters and number (you’re, ’95), to show plurals of letters (I got all A’s last semester.) 6. COLON (:) after independent clauses to introduce elements. “The coach demanded three things from his players: loyalty, devotion, and teamwork.”/ to separate items in numerals, ratios, titles and subtitles, time references, scripture references 7. PARENTHESES () to set off nonessential details and explanations, to enclose letters and numbers used when listing items, first-time use of acronym 8. BRACKETS [ ] to set off clarifications inserted in quotations, Eric observed, “I think [Rodrigo] Duterte was the greatest president.” 9. HYPHEN ( - ) to separate or join words We saw her on television last night. Never pay a higher-than-average price.
10. DASH ( -- ) to show sudden break of thought “Ted was angry after his car was stolen—who wouldn’t be?”/ to set off an introduction to a series “They have everything needed to succeed—ideas, money, and marketing.” 11. SLASH (/) to separate words or to show alternatives (he/she) 12. SEMICOLON (;) to join independent clauses when and, or, yet, but, or so are not present, to separate items in a series that contains commas “The governor will meet with Rey Simon, the mayor of Concepcion; Bert Vesca, the vice mayor; and Peter Cayabyab.” 13. ELLIPSIS (. . . ) to indicate that words have been deleted from quoted material Original text The mayor said, “Our city, which is one of the country’s most progressive, deserves a high-tech light-rail system.” With Ellipsis The mayor said, “Our city . . . deserves a high-tech light-rail system.” 14. COMMA (,) to signal pauses and shifts in sentences, used with and, or, so, but, yet to join independent clauses “Chinatown is a popular tourist attraction, and it serves as an important cultural center.” General Principles Always use standard English Avoid Contraction (shouldn't, gonna) Avoid exclamation marks unless part of a quotation Mention full name in first mention. Thereafter, use abbreviations. Numbers zero to ten vs 11 and so on Citations are used in academic and formal texts but sparingly used in business texts PROOFREADING What is proofreading? Proofreading a sentence means trying to find a mistake and correct it with focus on the mechanics such as Punctuation, Capitalization, Grammar, and Run-On sentences. ***Download and save the proofreading symbols provided
End marks – periods, question exclamations marks Commas – date, words in a series Abbreviations and Titles Quotation Marks
marks,
and
Using the proofreading symbols, correct these sentences. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
I see the deer in the distance What a delicious pizza this is My birthday is November 20 1955 Dr Smith moved to Washington. Stand over there, said the teacher.
Capitalization Beginning of sentence Proper Nouns Titles
Using the proofreading symbols, correct these sentences. 1. he visited the Space Museum. 2. emily smith goes to maple ridge school. 3. Have you read did you carry the flag today,Charlie?
Verb Tense Subject-Verb Agreement Possessives Plurals
Using the proofreading symbols, correct these sentences. 1. He seen a rabbit in the yard. 2. Boxes was in her bedroom. 3. Those boys toys disappeared. 4. Their desks were messy today.
CLAIM A claim is a statement that is not considered accepted by all. It may be unverified or controversial to a certain degree. It is usually related to one side of the issue. Claim is also called a position. A claim is argumentative and specific. Types of Claims Claim of Fact (COF) Claim of Facts relate to statements that can be easily verified and not dependent on a person's preference. It also asserts that a condition has existed, is existing, or will exist and are based on facts or data. *Facts that are universally accepted are not considered claim of fact but instead a statement of fact.
Claims of fact are often qualified by such terms as generally, probably, or as a rule. And, to verujfy whether these statements are claim of fact or not, ask these questions : Is it debatable? Is it verifiable? Is it specific? Can it be solve objectively?
Claim of Fact Earth is warming rapidly. Probably, other international Courts will side the Philippines too. Generally, obesity causes health problems. Probably, aliens exist. Probably, Santa Claus is real.
Statement of Fact Typhoon Carina intensifies its speed and rain volume. The first Philippine Mindanaoan President is Duterte. Death is inevitable. Neil Armstrong was the first man to step foot on the moon.
Claim of Value (COV) Claim of Value involves judgments and evaluations. It judges whether something is good/bad, right/wrong, just/unjust, ethical/non-ethical, etc. We judge the worth of something. It attempts to prove that some things are more or less desirable than others. Some claims of value are simply expressions of taste, preferences, and prejudices. The most important in proving claim of value is by establishing standards of evaluation.
Claim of Value It is wrong to make noise when someone is speaking. Gay marriage is immoral. It is better to be feared than loved. Cheating is not good. No ID rule is a good idea. Buying a house is a lot better than building it.
Claim of Policy (COP) Advocates a specific course of action. It asserts that specific policies should be instituted as solutions to problems. Claims of policy argue that certain conditions should exist. Almost always "should" or "ought to" or "must" are included in this claim.
Claim of Policy The mayor should suspend the classes today. I should vote for Duterte. You must send your children to private schools. The government should legalize medicinal marijuana. The Boy Scouts should not have to include gay scout leaders. Local Malls should provide more parking spaces.
Check this out! Claim of Fact Claim of Value Claim of Policy Generally, Facebook Facebook is better than Facebook must be doing well received most visits than Twitter and Instagram. considering the number of Twitter and Instagram. visitors it has everyday. debatable, verifiable, specific, objective
Requires a “standard” to verify
Suggests a solution or a policy
Learning check up! Read and identify the types of claims used in each statement. 1. 2. 3.
The use of civil disobedience during the Civil Rights struggle was reasonable, moral, and necessary. The private ownership of automatic and semi-automatic weapons in the United States should be banned. The possibility of an asteroid or meteor hitting Earth is great enough that the Federal government should be finding plans to prevent it. 4. The death penalty as used in the United States is ineffective and impractical. 5. The death penalty as applied in the United States is immoral. 6. Recovered memory should be disallowed as evidence in American courts. 7. Opera is not as entertaining as musical comedy. 8. Generally, public secondary schools in America are not adequately preparing students for college. 9. Fetal tissue research should not be funded by the United States government. 10. Fetal tissue research is wrong.
CONTEXT OF TEXT DEVELOPMENT: INTERTEXT & HYPERTEXT Intertext refers to the shaping of the text meaning by referencing or calling to mind other texts as it aims to add meaning to the current text. In intertextuality, the readers get to understand the piece through parallel plot, characters, premise, etc with the wealth of the prior knowledge, experience, and research. Types of Intertextuality 1. 2.
3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Quotation - it is the actual insertion of a text within another Travesty - is a practice of imitation an original text a) Pastiche - rewriting of some ‘noble’ text as a new text that retains the fundamental content but presents it in another style in order to ‘debase’ it. b) Parody - retaining the stylistic properties of the original text while diverting its subject Copy - it is a performance that aims at being closest possible imitation of a pre-existent, usually recorded performance Covering it is a rendering a previously recorded song that displays the usual stylistic configurations of the covering artist. Translation - it is a creation of new text from a text of different language Reply - an answer to the original text Instrumental Cover - Instrumental/allosonic rendering of a previously recorded song where the main vocal line has been replaced by an instrumental melodic line. Instrumental remix: a remix of the original song from which the leading voice has simply been removed.
Hypertext is characterized by external links embedded in a text by the writer as it enables the reader to arrive at the intended interpretation of the author In online medium, hypertexts are the embedded links; while in print media, these are the commentaries or footnotes in the margin.
