Nu LiPa Senior High School - Writing Properties PDF

We read and we judge. One of my favorite hobbies is watching movies and series. I asked my sister to buy me a new laptop and installed Netflix app. The last series that I watched is Squid Game. My friends also liked the Squid Game. We read and we judge. What can you say about ho...

We read and we judge. One of my favorite hobbies is watching movies and series. I asked my sister to buy me a new laptop and installed Netflix app. The last series that I watched is Squid Game. My friends also liked the Squid Game. We read and we judge. What can you say about how the paragraph on the previous slide was written? Learning outcomes: Understand the properties of a well – written text. Identify the different components necessary in writing. Write a well – organized text following the components and properties of a well – written text. Focus questions What are the four properties of a well – written text? What components are being considered in writing? What three main parts of text/essay should be used to make it well - organized? What is a well-written text? A well-written text is characterized by a well-structured discourse that is clearly linked with correct use of grammar and lexis. PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT What are the properties of a well-written text? The properties of a well-written text are: ❖ Organization ❖ Coherence and Cohesion ❖ Language Used ❖ Mechanics We look and we judge. What can you say about the picture below? We look and we judge. Describe the pictures below. What is Organization? 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 paragraph, essay, or speech. Different ways of organizing information. GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS They are visual thinking tools that help organize information and ideas in a way that is easy to comprehend and internalize. Different ways of organizing information. OUTLINE A written plan that serves as a skeleton for your paragraph, essay, or text. Outline TYPES OF OUTLINE Reading Outline – used to analyze a paper/text that you are reading Writing Outline – used to organize ideas before writing an essay Outline TWO SYSTEMS OF OUTLINING 1. Decimal Outline– a system of decimal notation that clearly shows how every level of the outline relates to the larger whole. Outline TWO SYSTEMS OF OUTLINING 2. Alphanumeric Outline– a system that uses letters and numbers to organize ideas. Different ways of organizing information. TOPIC SUBORDINATION The explicit highlighting of the topic sentence, and the supporting details which are clipped onto it. Different ways of organizing information. GENERALIZATION TO SPECIFICATION This organizational pattern allows you to expand the reach of the thought that you present in your topic sentences by giving examples. Different ways of organizing information. IBC FORMAT INTRODUCTION – introduces the topic. Includes an opening hook and thesis statement. BODY – Supports the thesis statement. Include examples and begin with topic sentences. Organizational Essay Pattern CONCLUSION – wraps up the essay. Restate the thesis statement in a unique way. Let’s have a practice! In a ½ crosswise, write a well - organized paragraph about the program that you want to take in college. You have 10 minutes to do it. We look and we guess. Analyze the pictures below. What do you think are the materials for? We look and guess. What do you think will happen if the hollow blocks are not attached properly? We look and guess. How about if the hollow blocks are attached properly? We look and we guess. Cohesion Coherence Cohesion and Coherence Cohesion – refers to the way we use vocabulary and grammatical structures to make connections between the ideas within a text. It provides flow and sequence to your work and helps make your paragraphs clear for the reader. Coherence – the unity or togetherness of the text as a whole and is achieved through the effective grouping and arrangement of ideas in a logical order. Cohesion CONJUNCTIONS  Cohesion TRANSITIONAL DEVICES Sequence - again, also, and, and then Time - after a few days, afterward, earlier Comparison - also, in the same way, likewise Contrast - on the other hand, regardless, still  Cohesion TRANSITIONAL DEVICES Examples - for example, specifically, such as Cause and Effect - as a result, since, because Place – above, adjacent to, below, nearby Concession – although it is true that, naturally Summary, Repetition, or Conclusion – as I have said, as mentioned earlier, to summarize How to achieve coherence in writing? Connecting old and new information. As facts are created and changed every day, you must be able to connect with the reader by providing both sides of the coin: what was said then, and what is proven now. How to achieve coherence in writing? Contextualization of content. You must also be able to make a connection with your readers by tailor-fitting your content to what they want/what they are interested with. How to achieve coherence in writing? Meaning making. Your readers must be able to make sense of what you have said. Mechanics Remember! Academic texts must look presentable, as much as it is important that the information written there feels and sounds presentable as well. The surface-level technicalities of writing must not be ignored when you wish to achieve your goal. What can you say about this photo? Mechanics It is generally defined as the surface-level conventions that give a well-thought, professional look to a certain text (Cenizal-Raymundo, 2016.) These are the immediate fixtures that we commonly observe when we skim, or scan anything we read. Knowing what to write is as important as knowing how to write it. Mechanics covers that. General Principles of Grammar Always use standard English. Avoid contractions (shouldn’t, gonna, etc.). Spell the words out. Avoid exclamation marks as much as possible unless part of a quotation. Mention the full name in the first mention. Thereafter, use abbreviations. Spell out numbers, unless pertaining to dates/years. As a rule, too, spell out numbers from one to ten (1-10). Eleven (11) and onwards may be written as numerals, except when found at the beginning of the sentence. Citations are used in academic and formal texts, but sparingly used in business texts. Take Note! If a certain expression needs to be defined or discussed, use the English term for that expression as much as possible. If you really need to use a foreign term due to its unique nature (such as the German term schadenfreude, the Japanese umami, or even the Filipino term sari-sari store), then use that foreign term provided that you explain it afterwards in English. Acronyms and Abbreviations Abbreviations and Acronyms Abbreviations are condensed forms or shortcuts of certain terms. Acronyms are formed when combining the first letters of a long name. Abbreviations Titles - commonly attached at the start of a professional’s name Dr. for Doctor; Arch. for Architect Engr. for Engineer Prof. for Professor Instr. for Instructor Abbreviations Honorifics - used when you are not sure of the profession/nature of work of the person you are referring to; commonly used to show courtesy and respect to a person Mr. (for all males, regardless of marital and social status) Ms. (a generalized honorific for a female whose marital status is uncertain) Miss (for unmarried females) Mrs. (for a married woman; originally the abbreviation of the formality “mistress”) Ma’am (another generalized honorific for a female whose marital status is uncertain; from the French formality Madame [my lady]) Sir (a generalized honorific for a male whose marital status is uncertain; from the French formality Monsieur, and the Middle English term sire [senior]) Acronyms Shortening the names of organizations WHO (World Health Organization) UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) OCW (Overseas Contract Worker; the term used to identify a Filipino working abroad temporarily in the 1970s-1980s) Basic scientific and technical terms DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) SARS-COV2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome related Coronavirus Disease of 2019, or COVID-19) KB (kilobyte); MB(megabyte); GB (gigabyte); TB (terabyte) Acronyms Post nominal – letters placed after a person’s name to indicate education qualifications, title of office, and honors; commonly connected after the names of certain professions MD (Doctor of Medicine; from the Latin title Medicinae Doctor, which has the same meaning in English) EMT (Emergency Medical Technician; “First Aiders” connected to/working with a hospital/ambulance service, and are trained with more advanced life saving/supporting procedures) LPT (Licensed Professional Teacher; a title given to professional teachers who passed their Licensure Exam and are eligible for public service) Backcronyms A portmanteau of the terms “back” and “acronym”; are acronyms that became words in their right due to constant usage by English speakers. They may be written as regular acronyms, and as conventional words. Radar (Radio detection and ranging) Zip code (Zone identification protocol) RnB (rhythm and blues; rap songs added with some “slow-jams” flavors) Colon, Semicolon, and Comma colon (:) commonly used for the following situations when starting a list The following students are considered Dean’s Listers: Marielle, Bianca, Gabriel, and Tablo. when emphasizing the next sentence/independent clause/word What I’m going to say is true: You are going to succeed in whatever endeavor you pursue!  semicolon (;) a quick replacement for the conjunctions under the FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) mnemonic The tickets for the One Direction reunion concert sold like hotcakes; the General Admission seats were the fastest category to be sold out. when connecting two related, equal independent clauses I ordered a cheeseburger for lunch; life’s too short for counting calories. when using conjunctive adverbs in connecting two unrelated independent clauses (moreover, also, nevertheless, however, therefore, then, finally, likewise, consequently) Reports of the damage caused by the hurricane were greatly exaggerated; indeed, the storm was not a “hurricane” at all.  comma (,) The Oxford Comma, named after the academicians from one of the oldest Catholic universities in the world, is a certain usage of the comma when you are writing a very long list of unrelated terms, and constantly using it in an effort to avoid mixing those terms. Jane loves cooking her family and her dog. Basic Uses of Comma Use a comma to separate independent clauses Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, yet, so, or nor, for) when it joins two complete ideas (independent clauses). He walked down the street, and then he turned the corner. You can go shopping with me, or you can go to a movie alone. Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. A comma tells readers that the introductory clause or phrase has ended and that the main part of the sentence is about to begin. When Evan was ready to iron, his cat tripped on the cord. Near a small stream at the bottom of the canyon, park rangers discovered a gold mine. Basic Uses of Comma Use a comma between all items in a series Use a comma to separate each item in a series; a series is a group of three or more items having the same function and form in a sentence. We bought apples, peaches, and bananas today. (series of words) Mary promised that she would be a good girl, that she would not bite her brother, and that she would not climb onto the television. (series of clauses) The instructor looked through his briefcase, through his desk, and around the office for the lost grade book. (series of phrases) Basic Uses of Comma https://east.iu.edu/student-success/coursework/commas.html Language Use Above anything else, an academic text must be formal and objective, and such qualities can only be achieved when appropriate language use is put into consideration.  When we talk with friends, family, and other familiars, we often use informal or personal language that abound with codes known only to you. Right, dude? when we talk with professors and officials in the academe or in any other formal context, we usually use academic or standard language Note to a professor: Good day, Sir! Please excuse my absence last meeting due to a mild fever. when in business and other technical contexts, we usually use scientific terms, special expression, and other jargon in our language. Psychiatrist’s report: Dissociative rage order is not indicated by the ER assessment. Tone We either have a constructive or a destructive tone in our texts. We tend to have a destructive tone in our texts when: we sound too superior towards the reader, to the extent of being condescending/belittling of their intellect; we are indifferent or apathetic about how important the issue is to the readers/audience; we are highly biased about a particular topic; and we have the tendency to “control” and/or “conquer” the readers’ sense of judgment (such as fake news sites and their articles) Mood presented in the kind of text you are required to write and how you present your arguments. Expository essays You write expository essays when you want to present a certain problem and present your evidence (i.e. supporting details) leading to a conclusion. Descriptive essays Descriptive essays are for introducing a particular idea to a group of people who may not have heard of it. Narrative essays You write narrative essays if you want to document a particular event as it unfolds. Argumentative essays This essay is considered to be a “debate on paper.” Conciseness and Brevity Brevity is when you can present a certain thought with as few words as possible Conciseness, on the other hand, is when you can use the right words to present that certain thought. They always go hand in hand when composing essays, as they help the reader pick up your arguments effectively, not to mention that they also help you minimize your word count. Writers have a particular “18-word rule,” in which you must be able to present an argument in 18 content words (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs) or less. Example The skyrocket of the monetary value of petroleum excavated deep in the sandy deserts of the country located at the heart of the Arabian Peninsula has widely affected the nation-states who depend extremely on such commodity. The price increase of oil from Saudi Arabia has widely affected the countries that highly depend on it. Remember Overused expressions such as ‘last but not the least’, ‘as a matter of fact’, ‘in the first place’, ‘first of all’, and ‘time and time again’ can be used as fillers in speech but are to be avoided as much as possible in written texts. Less talk, less mistakes. Additional Tips Use active verbs. Whenever possible, make the subject of a sentence do something. Original: The grant proposals were reviewed by the students. Revised: The students reviewed the grant proposals. Cut empty phrases. Remove phrases that do not add to the meaning of the sentence. Original: As a matter of fact, staying at home is the best option. Revised: Staying at home is the best option. This also applies to redundancies, clichés, and highfalutin words that are gratuitous and just for show. Precision and Clarity The words we use in writing must reflect our intended meaning. To achieve this, make sure to give careful thought to choosing the accurate word. An extensive vocabulary is useful in this regard. Example: Vante is an acquaintance. We had one class in art. My colleague, Justin, has been in the company longer. We were friends from high school. My buddy, Jin, will be the best man. Replace vague or ambiguous nouns (such as area, aspect, case, factor, manner, situation, something, thing, type, and way) with more specific words—or eliminate them altogether. O: After reading several things in the area of business-type subjects, I decided to put myself in a situation where I might change my major. R: After reading several business books, I decided to change my major. Pronouns must also be consistent. O: We should simply accept that fate is an illusion; you must not leave our decisions to something that does not exist. R: We should simply accept that fate is an illusion; we must not leave our decisions to something that does not exist. Jargon Some communities and interest groups use terms that are built from a common interest, which we, as lay persons, do not understand. This is the main principle behind jargon. Medical professionals Stat (immediately) Commonly uttered when a patient needs immediate attention Business setting Blue chip The gold standard for a particular industry Culinary world Flambe To cook food in flaming liquor, such as wine or beer Politically Correct Language Instead of... You may use... Fireman/firewoman Firefighter Fire officer (in rank form) Salesman/saleslady Salesperson/salesclerk Steward/stewardess Flight attendant Cameraman/camerawoman Camera operator Waiter/waitress/busboy/busgirl Server/table attendant Summary A well-written text requires organization, cohesion, coherence, mechanics and appropriate language use. Organization is about the arrangement of ideas, incidents, details, evidence, and order. Cohesion is the connection of ideas in the sentence level. Coherence is the connection of ideas in the concept level. Mechanics includes correct grammar, spelling, capitalization, abbreviations and acronyms, and punctuation marks. Language use is the appropriateness of the words or vocabulary usage.