Text Organization and Writing Guide PDF

Lesson 1: Patterns and Properties of Written Text Writing -​ Writing is the process of choosing the appropriate letters, characters. -​ It is a skill that you should hone in order to express ideas, concepts, or feelings in a nonverbal way. Eight Patterns of Development 1.​ Cause-...

Lesson 1: Patterns and Properties of Written Text Writing -​ Writing is the process of choosing the appropriate letters, characters. -​ It is a skill that you should hone in order to express ideas, concepts, or feelings in a nonverbal way. Eight Patterns of Development 1.​ Cause-Effect -​ Present why something happens, what causes it, what are the effects, and how it is related to something else. -​ Action and reaction -​ The cause is a reason for an action that brings an effect, while the effect is something that follows an antecedent. -​ Signal words: cause of, for, due to, since, therefore, so that, consequently 2.​ Classification -​ Pattern of written text groups or classifies items or things in their parts, types, kinds, or categories -​ Signal words: a part of, a kind of, a group of, a way of 3.​ Comparison and Contrast -​ Comparison is the identification of similarities among two or more topics -​ Contrast is the identification of differences -​ Signal words: similarly, in the same way, on the other hand, in contrast, compared to 4.​ Definition -​ Context clues are hints given by the author to help the reader understand the unfamiliar words. -​ This text explains what something is, it expounds the word, concept, or idea. -​ Denotation is the literal meaning of the word -​ Connotation is the expression of how the reader perceives a word based on their experiences. 5.​ Description -​ Identifies concrete details about appearances, characteristics, and actions. -​ Adjectives are used to describe, denote the quality of something. -​ Adverbs used to modify verbs, adjectives, or another adverb. 6.​ Narration -​ It tells a story -​ Elements: Characters, Setting, Plot, Point of view, Theme, Tone, Style, and Conflict 7.​ Persuasion -​ Present their ideas through reason and logic, to in influence readers -​ Invokes emotion through logic Types of Persuasion: ​ Ethos -​ It is linked with morality and ethics -​ Authors tries to convince the reader of their goodwill and present themselves as trustworthy ​ Logos -​ Writers use logic, reasoning, and rationality to convince ​ Pathos -​ Invokes and appeals to the emotions of the audience  -​ It presents arguments without using logic or reasoning, based on emotions 8.​ Problem-Solution -​ Starts with a negative situation and ends with a positive situation Components: ​ Situation -​ Identify the problem and explain why it is a problem ​ Problem -​ Explain the problem clearly ​ Solution -​ Cite concrete solutions to the problem ​ Evaluation -​ It is a part of the conclusion in which you have to highlight the problem and the value of your solutions. Lesson 2: Text Organization, Coherence and Cohesion ​ Letters -​ Any symbols of the alphabet ​ Words -​ Used to form a sentence ​ Sentence -​ A group of words which makes complete sense -​ Has a period, question mark, or exclamation mark Types of Sentence: 1.​ Declarative Sentence -​ Make statements -​ Ends with period 2.​ Interrogative Sentence -​ Ask questions -​ Ends with a question mark 3.​ Exclamatory Sentence -​ Make statements with emotion -​ Ends with an exclamation mark 4.​ Imperative Sentence -​ Give commands/make request -​ Ends with period or exclamation mark ​ Paragraph -​ A series of sentences that are organized, coherent, and are all related to a single topic. Parts of a Paragraph: 1.​ Introduction -​ The part where it gives background information or provides a transition. 2.​ Body -​ Discusses the controlling idea, using facts, arguments, analysis, examples, or other information  3.​ Conclusion -​ Summarizes the connections between the information. Organization -​ Is a structural form of writing -​ Proper arrangement of ideas -​ Not only clear but also logical and aesthetic -​ Defines one sentence connection to the other sentence Focus: Central point of a topic Development: Main idea and supporting idea Unity: All other sentences and details resolve around one idea Tips in Writing: ➔​ Single Idea ➔​ Topic sentence ➔​ Technique ➔​ Connectiveness Cohesion -​ Act of forming a whole unit (organized) Coherence -​ Quality of being logical (it makes sense) Transitional Devices -​ Use of conjunction or conjunctive adverb to link sentences together -​ Again, also, and, and then, besides, finally, first, second, furthermore Language Use/Dictation -​ Specific -​ Familiar -​ Concise -​ Correct and appropriate Levels in Language Use: ​ Informal/Personal -​ Slang -​ Local expressions -​ Text messaging ​ Standard/Academic -​ Words found in books, magazines, and newspapers ​ Business/Technical -​ Scientific terms -​ Jargons -​ Special expressions Mechanics -​ Focus on the technicalities of the structure -​ Grammar, spelling, capitalization, abbreviations, and acronyms -​ Determines errors on the subject-verb agreement, prepositions, and tenses -​ Use of numbers as part of the statement and the punctuation mark Subject-Verb Agreement -​ Subjects and verbs must AGREE with one another in number (singular or plural). Punctuation Marks 1.​ Period  -​ Used after sentences, in abbreviations, and as decimals 2.​ Exclamation Point -​ Placed at the ends of forceful sentences 3.​ Question Mark -​ Placed at the end of a question and to note questionable items 4.​ Quotation Mark -​ To indicate direct quotations -​ For titles, poems, short story, movie 5.​ Apostrophe -​ To show possession -​ To show missing letters and numbers -​ To show plural of letters 6.​ Colon -​ After independent clauses to introduce elements 7.​ Parentheses -​ To set off nonessential details -​ To enclose letters and numbers -​ First-time use of acronyms 8.​ Brackets -​ To set off clarifications inserted in quotations 9.​ Hyphen -​ To separate or join words 10.​ Dash -​ To show sudden break of thought 11.​ Slash -​ To separate words or to show alternatives 12.​ Semicolon -​ To join independent clauses, to separate items in a series that contains commas 13.​ Ellipsis -​ To indicate that words have been deleted from quoted material 14.​ Comma -​ To signal pauses and shits in sentences Lesson 3: Introducing the Reading Process and Reading Strategies Reading -​ A cognitive process of decoding symbols to derive meaning from a text -​ It is always an interaction between the text and the reader -​ Involves making connection between the text and our prior knowledge Stages of the Reading Process 1.​ Pre-Reading Strategies ​ Previewing -​ Looking at the readily visible parts of the text ​ Skimming and Scanning -​ Skimming: Look for the main point and identify the ideas that develop it -​ Scanning: Looking for specific information ​ Recalling Background Knowledge -​ You make sense of the text if it fits with what you already know 2.​ During-Reading Strategies ​ Context Clues -​ Words, phrases, and sentences that surround an unfamiliar word Common Types of Context: ​ Synonyms -​ Words or phrases that are similar in the meaning to the unknown word  ​ Antonyms -​ Words that reveal the opposite meaning to the unknown word ​ Explanations -​ May be gives as clues to describe an unknown term -​ “Because” or “that is” ​ Definitions -​ May follow an unfamiliar word ​ Situations -​ The meaning of a word may change depending on its context or where is it used Connotation -​ Positive, negative, or natural feelings, attitudes, ideas, or associations with a word Denotation -​ The basic, precise, literal meaning of a word that can be found in a dictionary Lesson 4: Implicit and Explicit Claims in Text Explicit (Explicitus -​ Obvious and apparent; directly stated -​ It is directly written in the text Implicit (Implicitus) -​ Not expressed clearly; only suggested; indirectly stated Fact -​ A statement about the real world reinforced by reliable evidence -​ A true statement Opinion -​ A statement expressing one’s feelings or personal judgement Kinds of Facts: 1.​ Empirical Facts -​ Facts that can be proven by scientific observation, experience, experiment 2.​ Analytical Facts -​ Facts that make use of various operations in mathematics to prove 3.​ Evaluative Facts -​ Facts that are supported by laws, local and international, and ideally give order 4.​ Metaphysical Facts -​ Facts that are assumed to be true without external evidence Claim -​ A statement that the author wants the reader to accept Types of Claim: 1.​ Claim of Fact -​ Inferred from a reliable source of information -​ Not dependent on merely on a person’s preference, but can be true or false 2.​ Claim of Policy -​ An argument that asserts the implementation of a certain policy -​ Depends on an existing policy, rule, or law -​ “Should,” “ought to,” or “must.”  3.​ Claim of Value -​ Is based on personal taste or practices and morality -​ Argues whether something is good or bad -​ Statement of which is better or needed Lesson 5: Formulating a Thesis Statement Thesis Statement -​ Tell the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion. -​ Is a road map for the paper, in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper. A good thesis statement is: ➔​ A judgement, criticism, or evaluation that research can support. ➔​ A declarative sentence that states the main point of the essay ➔​ Something worth saying ➔​ Not a statement of fact, a personal opinion, a vague generalization or a question Lesson 6: Book Review or Article Critique Book Review/Article Critique -​ It is a specialized form of academic writing in which a reviewer evaluates the contribution to knowledge of scholarly works. -​ Usually ranges from 250 to 750 -​ It aims to offer a persuasive opinion and addresses a more specific audience Structure: 1.​ Introduction (5% of the paper) -​ Tite of the book/article -​ Writer’s name -​ Writer’s thesis statement 2.​ Review/Critique (75% of the paper) -​ Appropriateness of methodology to support the arguments -​ Theoretical soundness -​ Sufficiency of explanation -​ Other perspective -​ Coherence and Cohesion of ideas 3.​ Conclusion (10% of the paper) -​ Overall impression of the work -​ Scholarly value of the reviewed article/book -​ Benefits to the intended audience -​ Suggestion for future directions Lesson 7: Application Letter for College Admission ​ It is a letter that shows your interest in the university while justifying why you are qualified at the same time. ​ serves as a cover letter for all your other college admission documents. ​ Academic qualifications ​ Accomplishments ​ Reasons for applying for admission.  1.)​ Introduction -​ State who you are and what you are applying for. -​ State an eye-catching statement about yourself. -​ Show you enthusiasm to study in the university you are applying to. 2.)​ Body -​ Present your academic qualification, extracurricular involvement, community activity engagements, and some personal qualities with specific evidence. -​ Organize your thoughts and segregate them into paragraphs. -​ State the benefits the university can obtain by admitting you. -​ Do not just give facts; explain how these facts will benefit the university. 3.)​ Conclusion -​ Indicate your interest for an interview -​ Indicate how the interviewer can contact you. -​ Express your hope for a positive response from the Admission Director -​ Say thank you. CONTENT -​ The application letter must not simply repeat the content of your academic records. -​ Address the letter to a specific person. -​ Mark yourself by presenting your academic qualifications, extracurricular activities, and community engagements. LANGUAGE -​ Use the active voice and verbs that denote action -​ Be sure to have correct grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and usage. -​ Be direct to the point so as not to lose the interest of your reader. Lesson 8: Employment Application Letter ​ cover letter ​ one-page letter attached to the resume when applying for jobs. ​ to highlight the applicant's experiences and personal qualities. Types of Letter: 1.)​ Full block -​ This is the most common layout used in writing cover letters. -​ All parts are justified to the left. 2.)​ Modified block -​ a type of format where the applicant's address, complimentary close, signature and sender's identification is shifted to the right side. 3.)​ Semi-block -​ the least used format -​ Almost the same as the modified block format; however, the -​ The difference is that the first sentence in each paragraph is indented. Heading: includes the applicant's address to make it easier for the employer to easily contact the applicant. Date: written below the heading indicates the date when the letter was written. Inside Address: refers to where and to whom the letter is addressed. Greeting or Salutations -​ written to indicate for whom the letter is. -​ It should start with the word "Dear" followed by the last name of the receiver. -​ End the salutation with a colon Body -​ information on the job the applicant is applying for. -​ where the job posting was seen -​ the skills and experiences the applicant possesses. Complementary Close -​ Done to politely finish the letter. -​ Ends with comma (,) Signature and Sender’s Identification -​ The last part of the letter. -​ Write your name on the first line and your title (if applicable) on the second line. -​ Sign directly above the first line. Lesson 9: Research Report, Project Proposal, and Position Paper Literature Review -​ An account of what has been published on a topic by accredited scholars and researchers. Types of Literature: ​ Conceptual Literature ​ Concepts and theories ​ Empirical Literature ​ Relevant previous studies Why literature review? -​ To rationalize the significance of the problem -​ To identify relationships between IDEAS and PRACTICE. -​ To find out important VARIABLES relevant to the topic. -​ To recognize HOW researchers use their methods and approaches. -​ To show how YOUR study to Existing Literature (not mere duplication) Research Report -​ A well-crafted document that outlines the processes, data, and finding of systematic investigation. Purpose Research Report -​ Present the results of a research. -​ Allow research results to invariably enter the general store of knowledge. -​ Provide a persuasive argument to argument to readers of what the researcher has found. -​ Allow readers to read selectively. -​ Add value to research results by effectively communicating to others. Project Proposal -​ Is a 2-5 page document that seeks to address key questions surrounding a major project -​ The purpose of writing a project proposal is to serve as a guide, to get funding, to convince people to participate, and to serve as a reference for evaluating the project. Position Paper -​ An essay that expresses a position on an issue -​ It gives arguments that support the opinion of the writer based on the fact collected.