Properties of a

Well- Written
Text
 4 Properties of Well-Written Text
1. Organization
2. Coherence and Cohesion
3. Language Use
4. Mechanics
1. Organization

Clear organization makes it easy for the

reader to remember the information
presented. The use of organizational pattern
in writing makes the writer present his ideas
in an organized way.
 Patterns of Organization

Spatial or Topical or
Chronological
Geographical Logical
Pattern
Pattern Pattern
2. Coherence and Cohesion
Writing is coherent when all sentences in the
paragraph are focused on the central
thought.
Writing is cohesive when one idea sticks to
another idea, a sentence sticks to another
sentence, and a paragraph sticks to the next.
3. Language Use
Good writing includes good choice of diction.
Diction is defined as the way in which words
are used in speech of writing.
If ones writing is good , it means that the
writer used words that are accurate,
appropriate and can send writer’s intention
across.
4. Mechanics
Anything that concerns the structure of
the sentences. It includes, S-V
agreement, capitalization, punctuations,
spelling, writing numbers, etc.
 Subject-Verb Agreement
a. A verb must agree to its subject in person and in number.
Example:
My friend submits his preparation.
The students play baseball.
Note:
Pronouns like you and I are taken as plural subjects; therefore,
should take plural verbs.
Expressions like many a, more than one, the number call for s-
form verbs.
b. Collective nouns are either singular or plural depending
on the context in which they appear.
When a group is considered as a unit, s-form of the
verb is used.
Example: The grade 11 STEM students submits the
preparation.
When the members of the group are considered as
individuals who act separately, the simple form of the
verb is used.
Example: The grade 11 ABM students leave one by one.
c. The verbs agrees to the subject not with the
predicate noun.
Example:
The objection to the place is the many rebels.
d. The verb must agrees with the subject not with
the complement.
Example: Often, the result of conflicts is failing
relationship.
e. Some noun are plural in form but singular
in meaning.
Example:
The news is alarming.
Mathematics is an easy subject.
f. Some noun are plural in form and in meaning.
Example:
The scissors are sharp enough to cut the bark
of the tree.
g. Some nouns ending in s may take either an s- from or
a simple form.

Examples:
Statistics is a required subject for mathematics.
Statistics show that women live longer than men.
h. For compound subjects joined by either…or,
and neither… nor, the verb agrees with the
subject nearer it.
Example:
Either the employees or the manager opens
the store everyday.
Neither the host nor the contestants are
ready for the show.
i. The words each, each one, either, neither,
everyone, everybody, anybody, anyone,
nobody, somebody, someone, and no one are
singular and thus require a singular verb.
Examples:
Neither the girls is coming with us.
Everyone enjoys the party.
j. Time, distance and money require singular form
of the verb.
Example:
Four hours is not enough for me to stroll the
mall.
k. In the sentences beginning with there is or
there are, the subject follows the verb. Since
there is not the subject, the verb agrees with
what follows.
Example:
There are questions about new planet
l. Sometimes modifiers will get between a
subject and its verb, but these modifiers
must not confuse the agreement between
subject and its verb.
Example:
The mayor, together with his employees,
deserves an award.
m. A phrase A number always takes the plural
form while The number requires singular
form of the verb.
Examples:
A number of participants come from
Bicol.
The number of participants is
unexpected.
n. Fractional expressions such as half of, a part of,
a percentage of, a majority of are sometimes
singular and sometimes plural depending on the
meaning.
Example:
A percentage of population does not vote for
her.
Half of my students are attending the
seminar.
o. Some subjects with and may be
considered as one.
Example:
Bread and butter is my daily food.
p. Proper nouns including titles of the
books, movies, plays, films, and operas
are generally considered as singular even
if they are in plural form.
Example:
Romeo and Juliet is one of my
favorite plays.
q. The word all should not create confusion. Just
remember that if the noun that all modifiers is
non-countable, then the verb to be used is
singular but if all modify a count noun which is in
plural form, the verb must agree to the subject.
Example:
All of my life is spent only with you.
All of the Filipino doctors go the US.
r. Phrases and clauses that function as a subject
require singular form of the verb.
Example:
Texting while driving is a dangerous thing to
do.