Reading and Writing Skills

Senior High School Module

First Edition 2021

Republic Act 8293, Section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of
the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e. songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this book are owned by their respective copyright holders. DepEd is
represented by the Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society (FILCOLS), Inc. in seeking permission
to use these materials from their respective copyright owners. All means have been exhausted
in seeking permission to use these materials. The publisher and authors do not represent nor
claim ownership over them.

Only institution and companies which have entered an agreement with FILCOLS and
only within the agreed framework may copy from this Module. Those who have not entered the
agreement with FILCOLS must, if they wish to copy, contact publishers and authors directly.

Authors and publishers may email or contact FILCOLS at filcols@gmail.com or (02)

439-2204, respectively.

Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Lorna Dig Dio

Development Team of the Module

Writer : Jennifer T. Dumaran

Editor: Barbara N. Villareal
Layout Artists: Jhomer V. Retiro
James R. Gumban

Schools Division Quality Assurance Team:

Dr. Kyzil D. Lipar
Mr. Mahnnie Q. Tolentino
Mr. Jhomer V. Retiro
Mr. James R. Gumban

Division of Aklan Management Team:

Dr. Miguel Mac D. Aposin, CESO V
Mr. Samuel J. Malayo
Mr. Dobie P. Parohinog
Dr. Kyzil D. Lipar
Mr. Mahnnie Q. Tolentino

Regional Management Team:

Dr. Ramir B. Uytico, CESO IV
Dr. Pedro T. Escobarte Jr., CESO V
Dr. Elena P. Gonzaga
Mr. Donald T. Genine
Dr. Nestor Paul M. Pingil
 SHS

Reading and Writing

Skills
Module

This book was collaboratively developed and reviewed by

educators from public and private schools, colleges and
universities. We encourage teachers and other education
stakeholders to email their feedback, comments and
recommendations to the Department of Education at action@
deped.gov.ph.

Department of Education
Republiic of the Philippines
 I OVERVIEW

In this lesson, the students will determine the principles of effective

writing. Also, they will be aware of the following: organization, coherence and
cohesion, language use and mechanics which are essentials in order to write
a good and effective written text. At the end of this module, students will know
how to evaluate a written text based on its properties.

II PRE-ASSESSMENT

Read carefully the following sentences and write True if the statement
is correct and False if the statement is wrong.

1. Cohesion is the connection of ideas at the sentence level.

2. Organization is achieved when a composition contains one focused
idea.
3. Use clear and concise sentences. On average, a sentence is 18 words
long.
4. Use precise vocabulary. Be accurate and condense lengthy phrases
into fewer words.
5. Avoid redundancies, wordiness, clichés, and high faulting language.
6. Unity is achieved when ideas are logically and accurately arranged.
7. Avoid contractions (e.g. shouldn’t)
8. Mechanics is the technical aspect in writing and should not be over-
looked.
9. Mention the full name of an institution or organization with the abbrevi-
ation in parenthesis, in first mention. Thereafter, use the abbreviation.
10. Number from zero to ten should be written in figures out while number
higher than ten should be spelled out.

i|Academic Reading and Writing Skills

 III LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After going through this module, the students should be able to:

• determine the properties of a well-written text;

• identify the components and structure of an effective essay; and
• evaluate a written text based on its properties.

MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY AND DURATION

› Evaluate a written text based on its properties (organization, coherence

and cohesion, language use and mechanics)
› 4 hours/1 week

IV CONTENT

Properties of a Well-written Text

Knowing the parts of a paragraph and the essay will help you form the
framework of your composition, and knowledge of the aspects that make a well-
written text will enable you to ensure the quality of your work. More importantly,
the message you want to communicate will effectively come through.

Unity

Unity is achieved when a composition contains one focused idea. In

a unified text, all supporting ideas are relevant to the main thought. Without
unity, the text will be confusing.

Text without Unity Text with Unity

Viral videos circulating online Viral videos circulating

expose the danger in sensationalist
culture: anyone’s life can change
everything. For example, the viral
video of the student who verbally
abused a guard in the LRT has
changed the life of the student.
Therefore, people must take note
of their actions wherever they may
online expose the danger in
sensationalist culture: anyone’s
life can change in one single
post. For instance, the video of
a student who verbally abused a
guard in the LRT has drastically
altered the future of the student.
She was bashed by netizens for

Academic Reading and Writing Skills|1

 be, because these might be
documented and posted online.
In addition to that, everyone must
be wary of the things they post,
because they never know who will
share it, too.
her rude behavior, and the
hashtag #AMALAYER, taken
after the way she pronounced,
“I’m a liar,” trended soon
afterwards. News reports
following the incident soon
revealed that the girl has
received considerable flak and
has even become a victim of
bullying.

Coherence and Cohesion

Coherence and cohesion are achieved when ideas are logically,

clearly, and smoothly linked to one another; without it, the reader may not
be able to comprehend your composition. Although these two concepts are
interrelated, they are distinct. Coherence occurs when ideas are connected
at the conceptual or idea level. It can be seen through well-defended
arguments and organized points.

Unlike coherence, cohesion is the connection of ideas at the

sentence level. It can be readily seen in a text through the smooth flow of the
sentences and the connection of the ideas. Cohesion can be applied using
three techniques. The first one is through the use of pronouns to refrain
from using a specific word repeatedly. The second technique is through the
use of transition devices to connect sentences with linked ideas. The last
technique employs a repetition of keywords to tie up the paragraphs subtly.

Text without Coherence and Cohesion Text with Coherence and Cohesion

Amelia Earhart was a legendary Amelia Earhart was a legendary

woman who made her name in
aviation by setting various records.
In 1928, she became famous as
the first woman who flew across
the Atlantic Ocean. She was only
a passenger, with pilot Wilmer
Stultz and co-pilot/mechanic Louis
Gordon manning the control. In
1932, she flew from Honolulu
Hawaii to Oakland California. She
became the first person to fly over
both the Atlantic and Pacific
woman who made her name
in aviation by setting various
records. In 1928, she became
famous as the first woman who
flew across the Atlantic Ocean.
However, during this trip she
was only a passenger, with
pilot Wilmer Stultz and co-pilot/
mechanic Louis Gordon manning
the controls. In 1932, she finally
got to fly on her own over the
Atlantic. She set another record

2|Academic Reading and Writing Skills

 Oceans. Between 1930 and 1935,
Earhart set seven women’s speed
and distance aviation through
different aircrafts. She disappeared
in 1937 while attempting to fly
around the world. On board her
plane was her only crew member,
Fred Noonan. Extensive search
efforts were not able to find a trace
of both aviators.
when she flew from Honolulu
Hawaii to Oakland California
in 1935, thus becoming the
first person to fly over both the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Between 1930 and 1935, Earhart
set seven women’s speed
and distance aviation through
different aircrafts.

Organization

Organization is achieved when ideas are logically and accurately

arranged. Knowledge of the parts of a composition is a great help in adhering
to the correct organization of ideas. The sentences within a paragraph must
also be organized logically.

Text without Organization Text with Organization

Thomas Edison was simply Although it is widely believed

the one who created the first
commercially viable light bulb. It
is widely believed that he invented
the light bulb. What made Edison’s
light bulb successful was his use
of carbonized bamboo as the
filament. This made the bulb last
longer and it was cheap enough
to be available for the masses. He
only improved on previous works
of inventors who also worked on
the same project.
that Thomas Edison invented
the light bulb, in reality he was
simply the one who created the
first commercially viable light
bulb. Along with his team, Edison
improved the previous works of
inventors who also worked on
the same project. Compared to
previous versions, what made
his light bulb successful was his
use of carbonized bamboo as the
filament. This made the bulb last
longer and it was cheap enough
to be available for the masses.

Language Use

The way language is used is one of the clearest indicators of a well-

written text. It enables the writer to effectively communicate ideas without
confusing the reader. Effective language use is achieved by observing the
following time-tested principles in writing.

Academic Reading and Writing Skills|3

 1. Use clear and concise sentences. On average, a sentence is 18 words
long. Note that this does not require every sentence to be composed of
exactly 18 words.

DON’T DO

Image is a very important Image is a very important factor

factor in politics because once the
reputation of a person is smeared
by accusations, the people’s
perception of the person is forever
tainted and it may cause him to lose
credibility and trust even when the
truth behind allegations is not yet
verified.
in politics. Once the reputation of
person is smeared by accusations,
the people’s perception of the
person is forever tainted. The
person may lose his credibility,
even when the allegations are not
yet verified.

Rewrite the following:

An American dentist who illegally

hunted down a lion in Africa has
recently sparked debate regarding
the culture of hunting wild animals,
because in America, where people
do not experience lions eating
livestock and townspeople, such
an act is decried, while in Africa,
this is not seen as a big issue
because lions constantly terrorize
the villagers and eat their livestock.

2. Avoid redundancies, wordiness, clichés, and highfalutin language.

DON’T DO

Although offspring are taught not Although children are told not to
to obtain free gifts from strangers, take gifts from strangers, many still
at the present moment many still do.
do.

4|Academic Reading and Writing Skills

 Rewrite the following:

While there is a desire to covet

endangered animals, transform
them into domestic beasts, and all
that jazz, it must be more central
to our aims to preserve these wild
beings.

3. Avoid excessive use of “there” and “it” structures. These sentences can
be revised by dropping the “there” and “it” phrase and transforming the
sentences appropriately.

DON’T DO

There are many people walking Many people walk on this street
on this street during Sundays. It is during Sundays. Keeping your
important to keep your valuables valuables close to you is important.
close to you.

Rewrite the following:

There are four species of

pangolins found in Asia. It is of
utmost importance to save these
endangered species.

4. Use precise vocabulary. Be accurate and condense lengthy phrases into

fewer words.

DON’T DO

Shafts that control the brake Emergency levers are installed

during urgent situations are built in every MRT train for the safety of
inside MRT trains to keep the the passengers.
passengers free from harm.

Rewrite the following:

Many animals which were

hunted down for the entertainment
of wealthy people who like to hunt
are now decreasing in population at
an alarming rate.

Academic Reading and Writing Skills|5

 5. Be consistent with your pronoun’s point of view.

DON’T DO

We should accept that fate is We should accept that fate is

simply an illusion; you must not simply an illusion; we must not
leave our decisions to something leave our decisions to something
that does not exist. that does not exist.

Rewrite the following:

You must join the fight in

preserving endangered animals.
We have a role to play in this
initiative.

6. Avoid sexist language. This issue can be addressed by using articles

(a, an, and the), using plural pronouns, using his or her instead of his,
writing through a second person point of view, or using gender-neutral
nouns (e.g. chairperson instead of chairman). Make sure not to overuse
the his or her technique as it breaks up the flow of your composition.

DON’T DO

Every employee should submit All employees should submit their

his credentials. credentials.

Rewrite the following:

Eve was one of the firemen who

responded to the call.

7. Use appropriate level of formality. The more formal texts use an academic
tone while the less formal ones usually use a personal or colloquial tone.

6|Academic Reading and Writing Skills

 DON’T DO

Diskettes may be outdated, but

Yes, diskettes are things of the
they are still fascinating.
past, but they’re still totally cool.

Rewrite the following:

It’s incredibly surprising to realize

how low people can go just to make
tons of money.

Mechanics

The technical aspect of writing, also known as mechanics, should not

be overlooked when writing. It is one of the properties of a well-written text
and is characterized as a set of conventions on how to spell, abbreviate,
punctuate, and capitalize a composition. In academic and more formal texts,
the following should be observed.

1. Always use Standard English.

2. Avoid contractions (e.g. shouldn’t)
3. Avoid exclamation marks unless they are part of a direct quotation.
4. Mention the full name of an institution or organization with the
abbreviation in parenthesis, in first mention. Thereafter, use the
abbreviation.
5. Number from zero to ten should be spelled out while number higher
than ten should be written in figures.
6. Generally, citations are in academic and formal texts. However, they
are sparingly used in business texts.

Text without Mechanics Text with Mechanics

Pluto was demoted to a dwarf Pluto was demoted to a dwarf

planet in 2006 after the General
Assembly of the IAU, as it only
met 2 out of the association’s three
requirements to qualify as a Planet
(Library of Congress). The dispute
started when Caltech astronomy
prof Mike Brown discovered an
Asteroid bigger than Pluto in
2005 (Cain, 2012). The science
community went wild! Brown’s
planet in 2006 after the General
Assembly of the International
Astronomical Union (IAU), as it only
met two out of the association’s
three requirements to qualify as a
planet (Library of Congress). The
dispute started when Mike Brown,
a professor of astronomy at the
California Institute of Technology
(Caltech), discovered an asteroid

Academic Reading and Writing Skills|7

 findings sparked a debate on
whether this new planet, which he
named Eris, should be added to the
roster of 9 Planets. The controversy
prompted the International
Astronomical Union to meet up and
delineate what a ‘planet’ is. They
came up with three requirements to
classify a celestial body as a planet
and removed the Planet Status of
Pluto based on the new definition.
bigger than Pluto in 2005 (Cain,
2012). Brown’s findings sparked a
debate on whether this new planet,
which he named Eris, should be
added to the roster of nine Planets.
The controversy prompted the IAU
to meet up and delineate what
a ‘planet’ is. They came up with
three requirements for classifying
celestial bodies as planets and
removed the planet status of Pluto
based on the new definition.

V EXERCISES

I. Read the following statements very carefully. Write Y if the statement indicates
a property of a well-written text; write N if it does not.

_______ 1. Each major point has supporting details.

_______ 2. Transitional devices are used excessively.
_______ 3. A thesis statement is placed at the end part of the introductory
paragraph.
_______ 4. Main ideas are restated in the conclusion.
_______ 5. Contractions are used in research papers.
_______ 6. An essay uses at least three paragraphs.
_______ 7. Colloquial tone is used in formal essays.
_______ 8. “There” structure is frequently used in the text.
_______ 9. All ideas in a text relate to the thesis statement of the essay.
_______10. Ideas are organized according to their types (e.g. narrative and
cause and effect).

8|Academic Reading and Writing Skills

 VI ACTIVITY

Read the following texts about Facebook. Then, analyze and describe how
a focused idea is presented, how the texts are organized, how ideas are linked
to one another, how language is used, and how effectively the mechanics (e.g.
spelling, punctuation, and abbreviation) are followed. Cite specific examples in
your examples in your explanation. use the table that follows for your answers.

Text 1

With the increasing popularity of Information and Communication

Technology (ICT), social networking sites (SNS) have become an integral
part of our lives. One of these SNSs is Facebook, a popular site which has
over one billion active users around the world. Generally, there are two
main functions of Facebook: for personal use and for educational purpose.

People use Facebook for their personal use to communicate with their
friends and relatives. For example, if there are important events to celebrate,
a Facebook user can just send a personal message, post an invitation on
his/her timeline, or create an event and invite friends. Facebook is also
extensively used to interact with other people. Reconnects with childhood
friends and former colleagues is also made easy: a user just needs to type the
name of the person in the search tab and then add that person as a friend.

The second major function of Facebook is for academic purposes. It

has several features that can be used for teaching. For instance, teachers
can simply update their statuses or send messages to make announcements
on submission deadlines and assignments. Facebook can also be used as a
venue for students to display their works, such as speaking performances
and essays. By sharing their outputs to others and receiving praise of
constructive comments, students would have a sense of authorship.
Intellectual discussions can also be conducted on Facebook through its
chatting features.

Undoubtedly, Facebook is a viable tool for personal and academic

success. Not only does it enhance and provide a positive influence in
classroom practices, it also helps individuals collaborate, communicate, and
reconnect. Nevertheless, people should still be responsible enough so that
this great invention would not be misused and put to waste.

Academic Reading and Writing Skills|9

 Text 2

Hi there friend! I’d like to share my thoughts about FB, because

I think it has a lot of awesome features. For example, you can use it in
school and at home like me. I use FB to check out what’s happening with
my friends. I can even use it to invite them for, say, a dinner or party. In
just one click, you will have an instant invitation. I also use it to find my
long-lost childhood friends. I’ll just type their name in the search tab, press
search, and voila! There they are! They just have to accept my friend invite,
and we’re good to go. Oh, I also wanna tell you that I also use FB for my
studies. Every time we have a project, my classmates and I just chat with
one another to talk about it. My teachers are also FB when they teach. For
example, my English teacher uses it for our class e-portfolio. So you know,
if you think of it, FB is really great!

Text 1 Text 2

Unity

Organization

Coherence/Cohesion

Language use

Mechanics

VII SUMMARY

In writing effectively there are four principles that one should be aiming
for, organization in which the ideas are logically and accurately arranged,
coherence and cohesion where ideas are linked to one another, the proper
use of language and the mechanics as a technical aspect of writing. Following
these four principles will make you an effective writer especially in academic
and formal writing.

10|Academic Reading and Writing Skills

 VIII POST ASSESSMENT

You are working as editors for a national broadsheet. One of the writers
from the Opinion section submitted the following text, and you are tasked to
evaluate it before editing.

Evaluate the following text based on the properties written in the table.
Rate each property accordingly.

Happy introvert
By: Ferdinand Marquee Fuentes - @inquirerdotnet
Philippine Daily Inquirer / 12:07 AM August 13, 2015

It’s been 12 months since I deleted my Facebook and Twitter

accounts.
I set up my Facebook profile way back in 2008-2009, and my Twitter
account in 2010. I enjoyed them so much that I became addicted.
Coming home from school, I remember, I’d drop my books and other
study materials on the floor and immediately log in to Facebook and
wait for my friends to get online as well. And we’d chat for hours!
There were times when I went to bed past midnight and got only
three or four hours of sleep.
But all went well. The game apps, like Farmville and Tetris Battle,
were such fun. I followed trending topics and viewed viral media. I
“liked” thousands of pages and profiles—most of which were pure
nonsense—just because these appeared in my newsfeed. Gradually
I felt… fake.
I asked myself: What do these mean to me? Why do I send and
accept friend requests, and follow people I barely know? My
Facebook listed 500-plus contacts, and I followed 100 on Twitter.
Out of all these, I noted that I regularly spoke to only around five
individuals. Honestly, I felt plastic. You know—“friends in the Web,
but strangers in real life.” Terrible.
Some friends suggested that I “purge” the “friends” list, which meant
“unfriending” and removing contacts. I spent a few months “unliking”
pages and “unfriending profiles.” I even contemplated renewing an
account just to start over.
I reviewed my profile and realized that I wasn’t as active as the
others. My accounts seemed like a waste. Social networks sort of
pressure you to expose your life in the form of media and status
updates, to reveal your inner thoughts, under the notion that multiple
“likes” or retweets will boost your self-esteem or whatever. It’s like a
popularity contest—mean and cruel.
I just fell out of love, I guess. I understand and respect the value
of privacy—something a supposed introvert should know. I like
solitariness; you are free to focus on a goal without social distractions.

Academic Reading and Writing Skills|11

 (But, of course, I still sometimes have the desire to share my life
with close friends.)
So I began to limit my posts until I became just a viewer, silently
reading and silently liking. Mid-August of 2014, a few days after
my family moved into a new house, I decided to cut myself off from
social networks. Start a new life, I told myself.
With one click of confirmation, my Facebook account was deactivated
and permanently deleted after 14 days; Twitter was removed after
30.
Initially I felt bad. Some of my most memorable friendships were
formed and strengthened in and through social networks. It was
through Facebook chat that I had the chance to speak out and
share mutual interests with friends. Unfortunately, social networking
becomes a deceitful prison if one is not careful.
Your mind locks itself in a virtual realm, surrounding you with interim
entertainment that will soon bore you. True, I was greatly updated
by all the available information, but as an individual, I couldn’t tear
myself away from the lure of social networks. Being online turned
me into a puppet, a mindless being who let time pass unproductively.
So I leaped far from its iron bars. But the idleness that ensued
after I regained my freedom almost drove me mad! I had an itch I
couldn’t scratch. I’m in a new house in a new neighborhood, and I
had nothing to do.
With time on my hands, I resurrected past interests and renewed
and improved skills. For example, I learned how to make and
knead dough, and have perfected savory masterpieces like chicken
empanada, doughnuts, scones and biscuits, and fruit pies.
What I truly appreciate now is that I’m nourishing my passion for
writing. I’ve always claimed to love to write and that I wanted to write
a novel—but I have nothing to show. Now I’m pushing myself to act
on my goals, especially while I’m still in my youth. The soil won’t till
itself, you know.
In the 12 months since I deleted my Facebook and Twitter accounts,
I have not felt like a fool. With each breath I remember that I have a
life to live, and memories to form and to keep. I am not a virtual man.
I am … real.
Ferdinand Marquee Fuentes, 21, says he is an aspiring writer.

Property Score
Presentation of a focused idea /20
Connection of ideas /20
Logical arrangement of ideas /20
Use of appropriate tone, style and level of formality /20
Appropriate use of punctuation and spelling /20
TOTAL /100

12|Academic Reading and Writing Skills

 IX REFERENCE

Barrot, J. S. (2016). Academic Reading and Writing for Senior High School. C
& E Publishing Inc.: Quezon City

Academic Reading and Writing Skills|13

 X ANSWER KEY

14|Academic Reading and Writing Skills

METADATA

Title: Reading and Writing Skills

Language: English

Keywords: Properties of a Well-written Text

Description: A learning module that gives examples of the

properties of a well-written text which includes unity,
coherence and cohesion, organization, language
use and mechanics.

Primary Media: Print Material

Primary Storage: Flash Drive, CD

Resource Location: Department of Education

Region VI-Western Visayas
Division of Aklan

Developer: Jennifer T. Dumaran