POINTERS / REVIEWER IN READING AND WRITING

Note: The examination is more on analysis. There are situations given in the exam where you will determine what
pattern of text development was used.

Patterns of Paragraph/Text Development

1. Narration - tells a story. Relates an incident or a series of events that leads to a conclusion or ending.
TRANSITION WORDS-used to signal time or sequence order
o First, second, etc.
o After, next, then, eventually, soon
o Meanwhile, a short time later
o During, at the same time, simultaneously
o Suddenly, instantly, momentarily
o The next day, following, thereafter
o In the end, ultimately
2. Description - Gives information of what a person, an object, a place, or a situation is like. Appeals to the
reader’s senses. Makes the reader see, hear, taste, smell, or feel the subject.
Sensory language - kind of words use to describe your subject looks, sounds, smells, feels, and even taste like
are called.
3. Definition - Explains a concept, term, or subject. Its main purpose is to tell what something is. It provides
concise but exact meanings of unfamiliar words and explain special meanings for familiar words.
Signal words for definition: is defined as, refers to, is described as
4. Classification and Exemplification - Exemplification involves providing examples to support a main idea,
while classification is the process of sorting or grouping items or ideas into categories based on their common
and shared characteristics.
Transitional expressions in writing effective exemplification paragraphs: for instance, namely, to be specify,
to clarify, to illustrate, for example, in short, as an example
Some transitional expressions in writing effective classification paragraphs: classified as, one kind, the last
group, another kind, another, final type, the first category, are categorized as, the next part
5. Compare and Contrast - Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar while contrast in
writing discusses elements or ideas that are different.
Some cohesive devices you can use in showing similarities are likewise, similar to, same with, like, in the
same manner.
To show contrast, cue words such as: on the other hand, however, while, different with, in contrast and the
like.
6. Cause and Effect - text development pattern which explains why something happens. It also states what
results a particular event produces. It usually gives a statement emphasizing the cause and another
emphasizing the effect.
Signal words for CAUSE: as a consequence of, as a result of, because, because of, now that and since
Signal words for EFFECT: accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, and this resulted in
7. Problem-Solution – pattern that shows a conflict and then offers resolutions or answer to the problem.
8. Persuasion - intends to convince readers to do or believe in something.
There are three common techniques that you can use in developing a persuasive paragraph: using
evidence, giving examples, and attacking an opposing view.
Properties of a Well-Written Text
1. Organization - the way a text is organized that helps to guide the reader. This property makes a text
readable and its message clear.
Organization can be achieved through the following techniques:
-Physical format -Signal words -Structure
2. Coherence and Cohesion - make your text easier for your readers to follow and understand.
Cohesion is the unity of ideas to the central concept of a text (oneness)
Coherence is the relationship of ideas between sentences (connection)
Both should be presented in the text.
A text with both cohesion and coherence is logically sequenced and stays on topic.
3. Language Use - it is important that you make good choices when it comes to language use.
Think about and consider your target audience.
Informal language -used in writing for oneself or in writing to family, friends, and colleagues
 Formal language - used in writing academic, business, and official texts
4. Mechanics - conventions that have to be considered in writing
Conventions: spelling, punctuation, and capitalization

CLAIMS - A claim is the conclusion, or idea you want your audience to accept.
Types of Claims
1. Claim of Fact
• Make statements about something real
• They can be proven correct or incorrect
• Argumentation based on claims of facts rely on the claim’s accuracy
• Can relate them to Past, Present, or Future
• Past: refers to events occuring in near or distant past • Present: refers to facts describing the current state •
Future: refers to predictions
Example : The price of college tuition has greatly increased in the last ten years.
Airport security has tightened since September 11, 2001.
2. Claim of Value - make relative judgments about what is good or bad, right or wrong, just or unjust, moral
or immoral.
Example: Abortion is morally wrong.
Killing animals in the process of medical testing is immoral.
3. Claim of Policy - make a statement about what should be done or how something should be done Suggests
or leads a course of action.
Example: The federal government should decrease taxes to improve the economy.
Signal Words: should, must, shall, ought to

EXPLICIT and IMPLICIT CLAIMS

1. Explicit Claim - An explicit claim is clearly and directly stated in the text which means that you can
easily point out the information in the passage. (Idea that is obvious in the text)
Any idea that is stated. With explicit information, you see the text explained. Since you are looking for explicit
information in what is read, the explicit information will be written in the text. There is no need to look for
clues. Just read.
2. Implicit Claim - are indirectly expressed but are being suggested or implied to be the meaning of the
text.
You will have to think about what you read. Look for clues as you read. Implicit information is not
written.

Goodluck and God Bless <3