Properties of Well-Written Text (L2.pptx PDF)

UNIT 2: Properties of well- written text  A paragraph is a section of writing that is composed of one or more sentences that focuses on a single topic or idea. It can be effective when you consider and apply the properties of a well-written. 1.  Organization refers...

UNIT 2: Properties of well- written text  A paragraph is a section of writing that is composed of one or more sentences that focuses on a single topic or idea. It can be effective when you consider and apply the properties of a well-written. 1.  Organization refers to the flow of the ideas in a text. Creating an outline before writing can help you organize your ideas.  An outline is a technique that can be utilized to show the general ideas and specific/subordinating ideas. Poorly written paragraph: Pancakes are easy to make. You just have to mix all the dry ingredients like the flour which is already sifted, sugar and pinch of salt. The wet ingredients are eggs, milk and water. Mix them all together and you can have the batter. You just have to put butter on the pan and fry them. Improved paragraph: Pancakes are easy to make. First, you have to mix all the dry ingredients like the sifted flour, sugar and pinch of salt. Next, you have to mix the wet ingredients like eggs, milk and water. Then, you can now mix them all together to have the batter. Lastly, you can heat up the pan and put a butter and fry them. What is text organization?  Text organization is the way a text is organized that helps to guide the reader logically through it.  This property makes a text readable and its message clear. 1. Physical Format  The format is an aspect of the organization that is immediately apparent to the reader.  It is seen in how the text physically appears like headings and subheadings, bullet points or font emphasis.  However, use this technique with discretion as improper or superfluous formatting can be confusing. Example: Marxist ideology has three main theories. Historical Materialism is a method for understanding society, history, and social change based on the material conditions and economic structures. Class Struggle emphasizes the centrality of class struggle in shaping social and historical dynamics. Alienation which refers to the separation of individuals from the product of their labor, from the labor process itself, from their human potential, and from each other. 2. Signal Words  are textual cues that readers can use to follow a text. They can “signal” the transition from one point to another, the ordering of events and concepts, or the writer’s chosen text type (e.g., linear narration, question and answer) Example: Chuck Palahniuk’s novel Fight Club greatly influenced me as a fictional writer. First, his use of the unreliable narrator fascinated me, and I have written similar characters in my works. Second, the theme of patriarchal oppression can also be found in the stories I write. Third, the novel’s stunning twist is something that I have been trying to recreate. Thus, I am extremely grateful to have encountered Palahniuk’s genius early in my writing career. 3. Structure  The structure provides the framework upon which the text is organized. It consists of the following: o Beginning: thesis statement, hook o Middle: supporting details o End: summary, final message Example: Ancient philosophies believe that a person has an “aura,” this appears as a rainbow of light around the body that can be seen by individuals with clairvoyant abilities. The colors change depending on one’s mood, health, and thoughts. Some scientists believe that the existence of the aura has something to do with the electromagnetic fields produced by cells and tissues in the human body. Whether auras are real or not, the fact remains that there are forces everywhere that are real even though we cannot see. Example: Ancient philosophies believe that a person has an “aura,” this appears as a rainbow of light around the body that can be seen by individuals with clairvoyant abilities. The colors change depending on one’s mood, health, and thoughts. Some scientists believe that the existence of the aura has something to do with the electromagnetic fields produced by cells and tissues in the human body. Whether auras are real or not, the fact remains that there are forces everywhere that are real even though we cannot see.  REMEMBER: if there is a clear statement of purpose, position, facts, examples, IDEAS are specific details, formed and ORGANIZATION definitions, well-developed explanation, justifications or opposing viewpoints 2. Coherence and Cohesion  - refers how ideas, sentences, and paragraphs are connected. So, the ideas presented in a text are based on a single topic only.  Using transitional and cohesive devices can help to assure coherence and cohesion. 1. “One of my favorite colors is purple. I am loyal and trustworthy. I watch the concert of my idol." 2. “One of my favorite colors is purple. Purple flowers have calming effects. I am calm whenever I have my security blanket. I always bring it wherever I go." 3. “One of my favorite colors is purple. I like it because it symbolizes loyalty and trust. I learned its meaning when I watch the concert of my idol. For that reason, I started to like purple." Example: International Women’s Day is celebrated on the 8th of March of every year. It began as a Socialist political event in several Western countries. Then, other countries also started celebrating the holiday just as a way to express their love for women. Currently, the United Nations observes the holiday as a way to bring to light women’s issues around the world. REMEMBER: In summary, coherence focuses on the logical and organizational aspects of writing, ensuring that ideas are connected and flow logically, while cohesion is concerned with the grammatical and lexical ties that bind sentences and paragraphs together. Both coherence and cohesion work together to create a well-structured and easily understandable piece of writing.  Excuse me, yes we What’s up can be friends and everyone! A it’s a pleasure for newbie here! me. Man, cool. If you would want me to be part of the circle, it would be my honor to take part of this friendship. 3. Language Used  - refers to the acceptable style of language for a specific situation or usage of the text. EXAMPLE: 1.We asked the secretary to call the professor and get her permission for us to continue our research. 2.We requested that the secretary contact the professor and obtain her permission for us to continue our research. Five major issues by (Purdue Online Writing Lab 2020):  First, the formality of the language one uses should depend on how formal the situation is and how the writer and the reader are related to one another.  Second, jargons or specialized language used by groups of individuals in the same field, should only be used if the target readers belong to the same group.  Third, slangs and idioms should be avoided.  Slangs are words, phrases, or expressions that do not literally mean what they express (like “frenemy” to describe someone who is both a friend and an enemy) while idioms or expressions whose meaning is different from the meanings of the individual word it contains (like “to kill two birds at one stone”, which means to get two things done with a single action  Fourth, euphemisms or words that veil the truth shall also be avoided. Examples of which are “virtually challenged” for someone who is short; "passed away” instead of died, and other deceitful language.  Fifth, avoid using any biased language including those associated with any racial, ethnic, group, or gender. REMEMBER: When you use words improperly, readers are left confused as to what you are trying to say. So, always choose words according to their correct definition and connotation. Also, keep your language simple enough to make your text easier for readers to understand. 4. Mechanics  - refers to the rules in writing like proper capitalization, punctuation, spelling, numerals, abbreviations, acronyms, and contractions.  Poorly written: the department of education (deped) ensures that there is continuous learning even in the time of pandemic Improved text: The Department of Education (DepEd) ensures that there is continuous learning even in the time of pandemic. 1. Spelling When you write, always make sure that you are consistently using one standard with regard to the spelling of your words. Remember that there are slight differences in American English spelling and British English spelling. Here are some key differences between American and British English spellings: 1. Words ending in -or (American) vs. -our (British): American: color, honor, flavor British: colour, honour, flavour 2. Words ending in -ize (American) vs. -ise (British): American: organize, realize, analyze British: organise, realise, analyse (Note: Some British publications also accept "-ize" as correct.) 3. Words ending in -er (American) vs. -re (British): American: center, theater, meter British: centre, theatre, metre 4. Words ending in -se (American) vs. -ce (British): American: defense, offense, license British: defence, offence, licence (noun; "license" as a verb is used in both.) 5. Words with dropped "e" (American) vs. retained "e" (British): American: aging British: ageing 6. Words ending in -og (American) vs. -ogue (British): American: catalog, dialog British: catalogue, dialogue 7. Words with single vs. double consonants when adding suffixes: American: traveled, canceled British: travelled, cancelled 8. Words with -ll (American) vs. -l (British): American: enrollment, fulfill British: enrolment, fulfil