Language Skills: Reading, Writing and Text

• Four language skills include listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Reading

• A multifaceted process involving word recognition, comprehension, fluency, and motivation.
• Involves looking at a series of writing symbols in order to recognize words in print and construct meaning.
• Fluency is the ability to coordinate identifying words and making meaning so reading is automatic and accurate.
• Reading = Making meaning from print

Writing

• It uses symbols, letters, punctuation, and spaces to communicate thoughts and ideas.

Text as Connected Discourse

• Text originates from the Old French word "Textus," which means "the scriptures".
• It's a large written language unit and a group of ideas combined to have a main idea.
• Discourse is a conceptual generalization of communication, including uttered talk, speech, discussion, conversation, and extended expression of thoughts and ideas.

Seven standards of textuality

• Cohesion: The parts of the text are connected.
• Coherence: The overall text has meaning.
• Intentionality: The writer's attitude and purpose can be discerned.
• Acceptability: The text is recognized and organized.
• Informativity: The text contains new or expected information.
• Situationality: The topic is appropriate situationally and culturally.
• Intertextuality: The text can be linked to preceding discourse.

Properties of Well-Written Text

• Organization: Refers to the arrangement of ideas in a text; creating an outline of ideas before writing is important.
• Coherence and Cohesion: Refer to the connection of ideas and connection between sentences and paragraphs.
• Appropriate Language Use: Refers to the acceptable style of language for a particular form of text.
• Proper Mechanics: Refers to the conventions of writing, including capitalization, punctuation, spelling, numerals, abbreviations, acronyms, and counteractions.

Story

• A sequence of events that communicate meaning.
• Reveals human experience and connects emotions, characters, and themes, providing insights into human nature and universal experiences.

Elements of Plot Structure

• Exposition: Introduces characters and setting.
• Rising Action: Builds conflict and tension.
• Climax: The highest point of dramatic intensity.
• Falling Action: Consequences of the climax.
• Denouement: The final outcome and closure.

Understanding Narrative Conflict

• Internal Conflict: A character's inner struggles.
• External Conflict: A character versus external forces.

Types of External Conflict.

• Man vs. Man
• Man vs. Nature
• Man vs. Society
• Man vs. Self
• Man vs. Supernatural
• Man vs. Technology
• Tension vs. Conflict

Character Development

• Characters drive the narrative forward.
• Dynamic characters change throughout the story, while static characters remain consistent.
• Character motivations create compelling plots, and psychological depth makes characters memorable.

Narrative Perspective

• First Person: "I" perspective.
• Third Person Limited: Focused on one character's experience.
• Third Person Omniscient: All-knowing narrator.
• Second Person: Rare, addresses the reader directly.

Setting and World-Building

• Setting is more than just a physical location; it influences character behavior and plot development.
• It includes the time period, cultural context, geographical environment, and social dynamics.

Symbolism and Theme

• Symbols represent deeper meanings.
• Themes communicate universal ideas.
• They connect concrete events to abstract concepts, provide layers of interpretation, and enhance narrative complexity.

Foreshadowing Techniques

• Subtle hints about future events that create narrative anticipation and build narrative coherence.
• Foreshadowing can be dialogue-based, descriptive, or symbolic.

Pacing and Rhythm

• Controls a story's emotional intensity.
• Fast Pace: Used for action and excitement.
• Slow Pace: Used for reflection and depth.
• Varies based on narrative needs and maintains reader engagement.

Story Structure Variations

• Linear Narrative: Chronological events.
• Nonlinear Narrative: Fragmented timelines.
• Circular Narrative: Returns to the beginning.
• Parallel Narratives: Multiple storylines.

Story Creation Process

• Begin with a core concept, develop character profiles, and outline the plot structure.
• Write an initial draft, revise and refine the narrative, and seek feedback.