Lesson 3 – Properties of a Well-Written Text

I. Organization
It is said that ideas are well-developed when there is a clear statement of purpose,
position, facts, examples, specific details, definitions, explanation, justifications, or
opposing viewpoints. Organization is achieved when these ideas are logically and
accurately arranged.

If there is a clear
statement of purpose, Ideas are formed
position, facts, examples,
specific details, definitions, and well- Organization
explanation, justifications, developed
or opposing viewpoints...

If there is Organization, there will be…

II. Coherence and Cohesion

Coherence: this means that sentences are arranged in a logical manner, making them
easily understood by the reader.

Cohesion: connection of ideas at sentence level. It is also0 the property of unity in a

written text or segment of spoken discourse that stems from links among its surface
elements, as when words in one sentence are repeated in another, and especially from
the fact that some words or phrases depend for their interpretation upon material in
preceding of following text.

Example:
Be assured of this. Most people do not want to fight. However, they will
do so when provoked.
How can we organize the details of a paragraph?
A. Arrangement of Details According to…
1. Chronological – The details are arranged in the order in which they
happened.

2. Spatial – the sentences of a paragraph are arranged according to

geographical location, such as left-to-right, up-to-down, etc.
 3. Emphatic – is when information found in a paragraph is arranged to
emphasize certain points depending on the writer’s purpose. The
coherence of the paragraph is established in one of two ways: (1)
from least to most important, or (2) from most to least important.

In the above paragraph, the organization moves from the least

important idea (dissatisfaction with the results of the point-and-
shoot camera) to the most important idea (the versatility offered
with the SLR camera).

B. Signal Devices – words that give readers an idea of how the points in your
paragraph are progressing.

1. Transitions – words that connect one idea to another, in order for our
ideas to flow smoothly.
a. Time (first, immediately, afterward, before, at the same time, after,
earlier, simultaneously, finally, next, in the meantime, later,
eventually, then meanwhile, now, subsequent, etc.)
b. Sequence (moreover, furthermore, next, also, finally, last, another,
first, second, third, besides, additionally, etc.)
c. Space (above, next to, below, behind, beside, etc.)
d. Illustration (for instance, specifically, for example, namely, in this
case, to illustrate, etc.)
e. Comparison (similarly, also, in the same way, still, likewise, in
comparison, too, etc.)
f. Contrast (but, despite, however, even though, yet, on the other
hand, although, on the contrary, otherwise, etc.)
g. Cause and Effect (because, as a result, consequently, then, so, since,
etc.)
h. Conclusion (thus, therefore, in conclusion, in short, etc.)
2. Repetitions – repetitions of main ideas keep continuity and highlight
important ideas. It could be a word, a phrase, or a full sentence, or a
poetical line repeated to emphasize its significance in the entire text.

Examples of Repetitions:
• If you think you can do it, you can do it.
• The boy was a good footballer, because his father was a
footballer, and his grandfather was a footballer.
• The judge commanded, stamping his mallet on the table, “Order
in the court, order in the court.”
• The president said, “Work, work, and work,” are the keys to
success.
3. Synonyms – these are words similar in meaning to important words or
phrases that prevent tedious repetitions (or also called redundancy).
4. Pronouns – words that connect readers to the original word that the
pronouns replace.
III. Language Use – appropriateness of word/vocabulary usage.

Words and Phrases one must avoid in order to practice appropriate Language Use:

A. Too Informal

B. Too Unsophisticated
 C. Too Vague

D. Other Tips
• Jargons (i.e. “insider” terminology that may be difficult for reader from other
fields to understand)
• Clichés (which are expressions that are heavily overused, such as think outside
the box and but at the end of the day)
• Everyday abbreviations (e.g. photos, fridge, phone, info)
• Slang (e.g. cops, cool)
• Not gender neutral (e.g. firemen, mankind)

IV. Mechanics – set of conventions on how to spell, abbreviate, punctuate, and capitalize.

• Avoid contradictions and exclamation points (unless part of a direct quotation, or

grammatically necessary).
• Mention the full name before the abbreviation.
• Numbers from 0-10 must be spelled out.

Reference/Source:

Landich, K.C. (2018). Properties of a well written text. Retrieved from

https://www.slideshare.net/KatrinaClaireLandich/properties-of-a-well-written-text-88147656