CRITICAL THINKING

INNOVATIVE THINKING
EMPATHY
RESILIENCE
TEAMWORK
COMMUNICATION

2
INTRODUCTION

Whatever the intent or whoever the intended audience is, composing texts involves a sequenced process
from the production of initial ideas to the realization of a finished product. Thus, effective writing is not a ready-
made skill; it entails preparation on our part as writers being knowledgeable with the rudiments of writing as well
as with the components that contribute to good writing. Bear in mind that writing skills are an essential
element of communication. Consequently, producing a well-written text makes you capable of effectively
expressing your views, opinions, and ideas to your readers.
In today’s module, you will learn about properties of well – written text. Properly composing a text is a
process that entails a certain amount of complexity, demanding a great deal of precision and proper training to
carry out. Although practically everyone can produce a comprehensible text that passes on a message, in many
cases, the result is far from what we would consider a well-written text. Even in the media today, we see many
errors, even in texts by journalists or people with the relevant training.

Intended Learning Outcomes (Learning Competencies)

1. Identify different properties of well-written text.

LESSON 1: PROPERTIES OF WELL-WRITTEN TEXT

After the discussion, you should be able to distinguish good writing from bad one by now. You are supposed to
be aware that for a writer to express meaning in writing, he or she must consider unity and logical arrangement
of ideas; appropriateness of language use; and proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, and format. Those are a
few considerations that make up a well-written text. But mainly, a well-written text is composed of the following
properties:

1. Organization This is also known as an arrangement that refers to the structural

framework for writing. A text is considered organized when ideas are
accurately and logically arranged with a focus on the arrangements of
ideas, incidents, evidence, or details in a definite order in a paragraph,
essay, or speech.

The logical progression and completeness of ideas in a text is an

organization. This property makes a text readable and its message clear.
Organization can be achieved through the following techniques: text
structure, signal words, and physical format.

Text structure refers to the framework of a text’s beginning, middle, and

end. Different narrative and expository genres have different purposes
and different audiences, so they require different text structures.
Beginnings and endings help link the text into a coherent whole.

Three major parts of a text:

2. Coherence and Cohesion Refers to the overall sense of unity in a text.

• COHERENCE- This means that sentences are arranged

logically, making them easily understood by the reader.
• COHESION: connection of ideas at sentence level

Uses Signal Devices

a. TRANSITIONS- These are words that connect smoothly one idea

from the other.
• Time (first, immediately, afterward, before, at the same
time, after, earlier, simultaneously, finally, next, in the
meantime, later, eventually, then, meanwhile, now,
subsequent, etc.)
• Sequence (moreover, furthermore, next, also, finally,
last, another, first, second, third, besides, additionally,
etc.)
• Space (above, next to, below, behind, beside, etc.)
• Illustration : (for instance, specifically, for example,
namely, in this case, to illustrate, etc.)
• Comparison (similarly, also, in the same way, still,
likewise, in comparison, too, etc.)
• Contrast (but, despite, however, even though, yet, on the
other hand, although, on the contrary, otherwise,
conversely, etc.)
• Cause and effect (because, as a result, consequently,
then, so, since, etc.)
• Conclusion (thus, therefore, in conclusion, in short, etc.)

b. SYNONYMS- these are words similar in meaning to important

words or phrases that prevent tedious repetitions. Words similar
in meanings; a word means exactly or nearly the same as another
word in the same language.

For example, the words begin, start, commence, and initiate

synonyms of one another; they are synonymous.

c. PRONOUNS- words that connect readers to the original word

that the pronouns replace.

For example, Ma. Isabel Climaco-Salazar is the mayor of

Zamboanga City . She is a
resident of Sta. Maria.

3. Language Use This refers to the appropriateness of word usage.

a. Business/Technical – refers to jargons of specific disciplines
like scientific terms and special expressions.
b. Standard/Academic – these are widely accepted words and
phrases found in dictionaries, books, and etc.
c. Informal/ Personal –refers to slang, local expressions, text
messaging like hey, bes, yow.

Six characteristics of effective language:

1. concrete and specific, not vague and abstract- involves
tangible qualities/characteristics and things we know through our
senses. Specific language designates particular items or
individuals’ cases. Consider the examples below:

2. concise, not verbose- It involves using the most appropriate

terms to get one’s point across. Concise language means
using a minimal amount of effective terms to convey one’s
argument. To make the sentence more succinct, writers must
avoid unnecessary words in their sentences.
 3. familiar, not obscure- It refers to words/ terms that the reader
easily recognizes and understands because they use them
regularly. The message has a greater effect when using
vocabulary that is familiar to the reader.

4. precise, not ambiguous- Through the use of precise language,

vocabulary of specific nouns ,and vivid verbs, you can construct
clear mental images and avoid wordiness. Moreover, the use of
concise language, using the fewest possible words without
sacrificing meaning, makes your writing more understandable.

5. constructive, not destructive- The use of constructive

language expresses a potentially negative in a positive way, while
destructive language leads the reader to blame and criticism,
causing defensiveness.

6. appropriately formal- The formality of the language used should

conform to the formality of the situation and the relationship
between the writer and the reader. Consider the following
examples.

4. Mechanics Focuses on the technical structure of the text. It determines errors in

grammar, abbreviations, spelling, acronyms, capitalization, the use of
numbers as part of the statement, and correct punctuation marks.

a. Spelling-When you write, always make sure that you are

consistently using one standard regarding the spelling of your
words. Remember that there are slight differences in American
English spelling and British English spelling.
b. Punctuation- It is the act of using a system of symbols used to
provide structure to and organize a text, such as a comma,
period, quotation marks, question marks, etc. The use of
punctuation directs the reader to interpret the text.

c. Capitalization- Capitalization, like punctuation, helps express

details. Any sentence’s first word is capitalized, signaling that a
new sentence has started. To signify uniqueness, proper nouns
are capitalized. However, using capitalization merely to make a
word appear or sound significant is not right.

d. Avoid contractions and exclamation points (unless part of a

direct quotation)

e. Mention the full name before the abbreviation.

f. Numbers from 0-10 must be spelled out.

 ACTIVITY 1: TRANSITION WRITE-UP!

Directions: Write a two-sentences accordingly to its transition needed. Then underline the signal
devices used.

Ex: Time – Sophia went to the mall for groceries. At the same time, she calls her boyfriend to buy her snacks.

TRANSITION SIGNAL DEVICES USED IN THE SENTENCES.

Sequence

Illustration

Comparison

Cause and effect

Conclusion

LONG QUIZ ALERT!!!!

Your long quiz will serve as your Preliminary Examination. The link shall be open from February 21 –
25, 2022 ONLY! After that the link will be auto-closed.

REMINDERS:
1. Submit/ Answer once only. Two submissions under one name are automatically invalid.
2. Answer honestly and smartly. Your instructor may not see you answering but God does.
3. If you are ready and understand the terms, click this prelim link: (see posted at your activity sheet)