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 What’s Inside?

I - Properties of a Well-Written Text
A paragraph is a series of sentences that are organized, A. Organization
coherent, and are all related to a single topic. B. Coherence and Cohesion
C. Unity
For a paragraph, or for any composition, to be effective, it D. Language Use
must always consider the Properties of a Well-Written Text. E. Mechanics (with Proofreading)
These properties are: Organization, Coherence and Cohesion, II - Implicit and Explicit Claims
Unity, Language Use, and Mechanics. A. Claim of Fact
B. Claim of Value
The first line of a paragraph is usually indented. This C. Claim of Policy
indentation of a paragraph indicates where the paragraph begins. III - Context of Text Development
Remember that you must capitalize the first word in each A. Intertext
sentence and end each sentence with a punctuation mark, most B. Hypertext
often a period (.).

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 Studying overseas was deemed to be very difficult.

Too specific 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.
Better 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 "My favorite color is blue. I'm calm and relaxed. In the summer I lie on the grass
cohesive and look up."
Cohesive but not “My favorite color is blue. Blue sports cars go very fast. Driving in this way is
coherent 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."
Coherent and "My favorite color is blue. I like it because it is calming and it relaxes me. I often
cohesive 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
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.

Organization is Coherence is the Cohesion is the Unity is oneness of

about the connection the ideas connection of ideas in ideas all pertaining to
arrangement of: in the concept level: the sentence level: the theme or the topic
sentence.
Ideas Is the first topic Did it use pronouns
Incident related to the next? properly? Things to check:
Details
Evidence Is this sentence Did it use Lead
Order 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 Try making this concise and clear!

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.

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 tele-
vision 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
Using the proofreading symbols, correct these
End marks – periods, question marks, and sentences.
exclamations marks
Commas – date, words in a series 1. I see the deer in the distance
Abbreviations and Titles 2. What a delicious pizza this is
3. My birthday is November 20 1955
Quotation Marks 4. Dr Smith moved to Washington.
5. Stand over there, said the teacher.

Using the proofreading symbols, correct these

Capitalization
sentences.
Beginning of sentence 1. he visited the Space Museum.
Proper Nouns 2. emily smith goes to maple ridge school.
Titles 3. Have you read did you carry the flag
today,Charlie?

Using the proofreading symbols, correct these

Verb Tense sentences.
Subject-Verb Agreement 1. He seen a rabbit in the yard.
Possessives 2. Boxes was in her bedroom.
Plurals 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 Statement 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.
 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, Requires a “standard” to verify Suggests a solution or a policy
objective

Learning check up! Read and identify the types of claims used in each statement.
1. The use of civil disobedience during the Civil Rights struggle was reasonable, moral, and necessary.
2. The private ownership of automatic and semi-automatic weapons in the United States should be banned.
3. 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. Quotation - it is the actual insertion of a text within another

2. 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
3. Copy - it is a performance that aims at being closest possible imitation of a pre-existent, usually
recorded performance
4. Covering it is a rendering a previously recorded song that displays the usual stylistic configurations
of the covering artist.
5. Translation - it is a creation of new text from a text of different language
6. Reply - an answer to the original text
7. Instrumental Cover - Instrumental/allosonic rendering of a previously recorded song where the
main vocal line has been replaced by an instrumental melodic line.
8. 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.