English

Module 1 : Using Appropriate Grammatical Signals or Expressions to Each

Pattern of Idea Development
Idea development is essential in writing. This is done by organizing ideas in a logical and
clear manner that suits the writer’s purpose.
Grammatical signals are writing devices such as transitional devices, connectors,
determiners, and repetitions that are used to maintain text coherence. Coherence establishes a
logical connection between ideas in sentences and paragraphs. These ideas can be developed
through different patterns depending on the writer’s purpose.
Pattern of idea development refers to the structure of writing on how the ideas are being
presented. Five of the commonly used patterns of idea development are discussed in this
module. These are the general to particular, cause and effect, claim-counterclaim, problem-
solution, and persuasion.
A. General to Particular
This pattern of idea development discusses the general topic by presenting specific details
that support the topic. The writer starts with the general idea stated in the topic sentence.
Then, it is elaborated and explained through specific details and examples. In other words,
general to particular pattern is a deductive method of organization.
B. Cause and effect
This pattern of idea development explains the causes or the effects of something. When a
writer presents reasons, he or she is explaining the causes. When a writer explains the results,
he or she is explaining the effects.
C. Claim and Counterclaim
This pattern of idea development refers to the structure of presenting a side of an issue in an
argumentative manner. A claim is the writer’s stand on a topic supported by evidences and
logical reasoning. Also, the writer presents the counterclaim or the opposite stand of an issue
to disprove it through evidences and logical reasoning.
D. Problem-Solution
The paragraph above uses problem-solution pattern of idea development. It presents the
problem ‘drug abuse’ followed by the suggested solutions to this problem. In presenting these
solutions, grammatical signals and expressions are used such as ‘one way to solve this’,
‘another solution’, and ‘this problem.’
E. Persuasion
This pattern of idea development intends to convince the readers to do or believe in
something. It allows the writer to express his or her personal viewpoints about a topic to
convince the readers. This pattern of idea development is based on opinions and emotions.
Module 2 : Expanding the Content of an Outline Using Notes from Primary and
Secondary Sources
An outline is a tool used in improving and organizing written ideas about a topic into a
logical order. Writers use outlines when writing their papers to know which topic to cover and
in what order.
The type of outline to be used by the writer depends on the nature of the topic and purpose of
the writer. Topics that are information-heavy may require more major topics and subtopics
since the writer’s purpose is to be as informative as possible. However, if the writer wants to
be persuasive, outline should only accommodate what is important to the audience’s needs.
1. Sentence Outline
It is a type of outline that presents the thesis statement, major topics, subtopics, and
supporting details in sentence form. It allows you to include those details in the sentences
instead of having to create an outline of many short phrases that goes on page after page.
Also, it follows a hierarchical structure composed of sentences and headings around the
subject of the speech or essay.
These characters are used in this order in bullet formatting.
 Roman numerals
 Capitalized letters
 Arabic numerals
 Lowercase letters
2. Topic Outline
It is a type of outline which presents the major topics, subtopics, and supporting details in the
form of words and phrases.

An outline is composed of many parts. These parts work together to present a clear idea of a
paragraph or an essay. An outline contains thesis statement, major topics, subtopics, and
supporting details. The following are the parts with their corresponding definition:
A. Thesis statement
A thesis statement is a one-sentence statement that expresses the main idea of an essay.
B. Major topic
Major topics refer to the major phrases/sentences which are formed from the thesis statement.
C. Subtopics
Subtopics refer to the minor phrases/sentences which are formed from the major topics.
D. Supporting details
Supporting details are phrases/sentences which provide additional information to clarify or
prove the main idea. These details help you explain further the ideas presented by the major
topics and subtopics.
Steps in writing an outline

Choose your topic and

establish your purpose.

Review and refine the Create and organize a list

contents of your outline. of your major topics.

Provide additional
Make and organize a list
information to support
of your subtopics.
your subtopics.

In expanding the content of an outline, you need to use primary and secondary sources.
Primary sources are firsthand information taken from original evidences such as reports on
discoveries and events and interviews from persons in authority while secondary sources are
secondhand information taken from the primary sources.
Examples of primary sources include: Examples of secondary sources
 diaries, letter correspondence, include:
 original documents e.g. birth  journal articles that comment
 certificates, trial records
 interviews, speeches, oral
histories
 laws, regulations, constitutions
 government documents,
statistical data, research reports
 journal article reporting new
research or findings
 creative art works, literature
 opinion pieces
on or analyses research
 textbooks
 dictionaries and encyclopedias
 books that interpret, analyze
 political commentary
 biographies
 dissertations
 newspaper editorial/columns
 criticism of literature, art works
or music

Module 3 : Synthesizing Information

What is Synthesizing?
The prefix “syn” in synthesis means together. Hence, synthesizing is pulling together
different ideas to come up with a new, bigger idea. It is an on-going process where old and
new knowledge, experiences, opinions add up, blend, and fit together to create new
understanding.
To illustrate:
Idea 1 + Idea 2 + Own Ideas = New Ideas
To be able to synthesize, you must also know how to:
Summarize -To shorten a long text by writing the main points in your own words
Paraphrase -To put a passage from source material into your own words similar in length as
the original
Analyze - To break complex topic into smaller parts.
Example: breaking down a cake into its ingredients.
Infer- To use observation and background to reach a logical conclusion
How to Synthesize?
The RES Method
For you to be able to synthesize essential information, this approach could help you.
R – Read two different sources about a topic and jot down important ideas.
E – Edit notes and put together similar concepts.
S – Synthesize by combining notes with what you already know about the topic.
Step 1: Organize your sources
After collecting the relevant literature, you need to organize your notes in a way that allows
you to see the relationships between sources. You can get relevant information from the
following sources.
Print Sources
Books and Textbooks, Newspapers, Academic and Trade Journals,
Government Reports and Legal Documents, Press Releases and Advertising,
Flyers, Pamphlets, and Leaflets
Digital and Electronic Sources
Multimedia, Websites, Blogs and personal websites, Social media pages and
message boards.
Step 2: Outline your structure
With a clear overview of the main connections and differences between the sources you’ve
read, you need to decide how you’ll group them together and the order in which you’ll
discuss them.
Step 3: Write paragraphs with topic sentences
What sets a synthesis apart from a summary is that it combines various sources. The easiest
way to think about this is that each paragraph should discuss a few different sources, and you
should be able to condense the overall point of the paragraph into one sentence.
This is called a topic sentence, and it usually appears at the start of the paragraph. The topic
sentence signals what the whole paragraph is about; every sentence in the paragraph should
be clearly related to it.
Step 4: Revise, edit and proofread
Like any other piece of academic writing, synthesizing literature involves redrafting, revising,
editing and proofreading. In writing your synthesis, the following verbs can be of help.
DON’T FORGET,
to use the following terms when quoting your source.
Asserts highlights illustrates
Portrays suggests argues
conveys
contends explains claims

To show agreement, use the following:

Similarly also likewise
Equally Furthermore

To show disagreement, the following words can be used:

On the other hand, on the contrary unlike
Although despite otherwise
Conversely where

Module 4 : Composing an effective paragraph

Paragraph is a group of sentences organized to discuss a topic. In fact, the main rule of
paragraph writing is to focus on one idea or topic.
3 Parts of a paragraph
1. Topic sentence
Presents the topic of the paragraph. It will serve as a guide for the writer to keep his or her
writing under control. This is why, a topic sentence is called the "controlling idea" of a
paragraph.
2. Supporting sentences
Serves as the body of your paragraph. This is where you elaborate your topic by including
specific details or evidences. All of the sentences in the body must relate to the topic
sentence. These sentences should be organized accordingly through the use of transitional
devices.
3. Concluding sentences
Restates what the topic of the paragraph is all about. It comes after all the details have been
included in the body of the paragraph.
Conclusion: thus, hence, indeed, finally, therefore, consequently, in conclusion, to conclude,
as a result, in the end, and for all these reasons
Summary: so, accordingly, briefly, in brief, in sum, summing up, in summary, to sum up, as
can be seen, given this point, and to summarize
Principles in writing a paragraph
A. Unity
Unity means that all sentences in the paragraph talk about one central idea. This means that
the writer will deal only with one topic. It is important because it guides the writer with his or
her idea.
B. Coherence
Coherence refers to the connection of ideas in the paragraph in general. The idea in the topic
sentence, as well as in the supporting sentences and concluding sentence, is connected to each
other through the use of transitional devices.
C. Development
Development refers to the principle when a paragraph describes, elaborates, explains, and
supports its topic sentence. A paragraph is considered adequately developed if after reading it,
the reader is left with no questions.

Different patterns of paragraph development

1. Narration
The paragraph tells a story or recounts a series of events. It arranges the events or ideas in a
chronological order which means the events are organized from beginning to end. Narrative
paragraph can be based on personal experience or on knowledge gained from reading or
observation.
2. Description
The paragraph is characterized by using more adjectives or vivid sensory description. It
creates a mental picture of the idea or the topic by describing how it sounds, smells, tastes,
feels, and/or looks. It is often recommended to use transitional words and phrases that
indicate location.
3. Process
Explains a process on how to do something. It uses transitional devices of enumeration (e.g.,
first, second, third) and time (e.g., then, next, finally). It is the right pattern of development
when your purpose is to help your readers understand the steps in a process or procedure, or
to give instructions.
4. Exemplification
This pattern of paragraph development uses series of examples to support the topic sentence.
This means that to further explain the topic, the use of specific examples must be provided.
5. Comparison/contrast
Used when a paragraph demonstrates comparison and/or contrast or examines how given
subjects are either similar or different. Comparison examines how the subjects are the same
while contrast examines how the subjects are different. In writing this paragraph pattern it is
highly recommended to use transitional words and phrases that indicate comparison and
contrast.
6. Definition
This pattern of paragraph development aims to give a complete working definition of a term,
concept, or idea. One of the main features of this pattern is that it tells both what the term is
and what it is not. In other words, it defines the boundaries of a term, so the readers can better
understand it.
7. Classification
Presents a topic and classifies it into component parts, types, kinds or categories. It
distinguishes its parts by presenting the characteristics of each. This pattern uses transitional
phrases like can be divided, is a kind/type/part of, can be classified, falls under, can be
categorized, is related to, and associated with.
8. Cause and effect
Explains the reasons why something happened or explains the effects of something. When an
author gives reasons, he or she is explaining the causes. When a writer explains the results, he
or she is explaining the effects. To explain the causes, the following signal words may be
used: since, due to, because, consequently, and for this reason. To explain the effects, the
following signal words may be used: so, thus, hence, therefore, and as a result.

Module 5 : Developing paragraphs that illustrate text types

1. Narrative – tells a story which can be fiction (made-up story) or non-fiction (real events).
Shorts stories and other traditional tales are examples of fiction, while biographies are
examples of narrative non-fiction.
2. Explanation - explains a particular subject or topic through ideas that support it. It is a
kind of factual text that explains how or why things are. It elaborates on how or why
something occurs or give information on how to do something.
3. Expository – are also informational texts that present factual data on a topic through
description, sequence, comparison and contrast, cause and effect, and problem-solution.
4. Procedural text - lists a sequence of actions or steps needed to make or do something.
Some examples include recipes, science experiments, assembly manuals, or instructions for
playing games. This should not be confused with explanations on processes, because
procedural texts are more directive and imperative. They instruct readers on how to go about
processes.
5. Recount - retells past events which may either be personal or factual.
Personal recount - retells past events that the writer was personally
involved in. Diary entries and short personal memoirs are examples of
personal recounts
Factual recount - retells events that also happened in real life but may
not be about the writer himself/herself. News reports and witness
statements are examples of factual recounting.
6. Persuasive text - intends to convince the readers/listeners to believe, perform a certain
action or change mind. Examples of persuasive text types include advertisements, editorials,
debate speeches, arguments, and persuasive essays and speeches.
Persuasive texts
It intends to convince the readers/listeners to believe, perform a certain action or change
mind.
Examples of persuasive texts : advertisements, editorials, debate speeches, arguments,
persuasive, essays, speeches
Techniques in persuasive techniques
1. State your position clearly
2. Give evidence
3. Call to action

Module 6 : Delivering a self-composed speech

What is speech?
Speech is the use of language in human vocal communication. Each language uses phonetic
vowel and consonant sound combinations that form the sound of its words. Speakers perform
several different deliberate acts of speech, for example, telling, announcing, questioning,
persuading, directing. To express meaning, they may use enunciation, intonation, loudness,
tempo, and other non-representational or paralinguistic aspects of vocalization.
Characteristics of a speech
A good speech has qualities which can convey a message effectively through words of mouth
or spoken words. Expression should be transparent and unambiguous so that it is easy for the
public to understand. It should be delivered in an unbiased and unemotional way so that it
doesn't drive the audience away from the main theme. A good speech is one that ensures the
participation of the audience with the speaker and ensures the audience will ensure their
attention through effective listening, expressing their solidarity with the speech and so on.
How to write an effective speech
Research indicates that the speeches make people remember so little. People can hear and not
understand the voice. Write two simple phrases instead of one long, complicated sentence.
Interpret your speech aloud as you write it down. Your question should be a representation of
who you are and what you care about. Do analysis. If you have the evidence to back him up,
your new policy plan will sound very good.
In writing your speech, always remember the following conventions to help
you make your speech an effective one:
• Introduce yourself
• Make a great opening statement (a rhetorical question, a surprising
statement, a famous quote)
• Structure your speech
• Begin every paragraph with a topic sentence
• Use very good English
• Express your opinion
• Write from the 1st person and engage your audience
• Use personal details and anecdotes
• Use rhetorical questions
• Use emotive language
• Use figurative language
• Use contrast
• Use repetition
• Use the list of three
• Focus on the topic
Structure of speech
1. Introduction/opening(Tell them!)
Because the introduction serves as both a sales pitch and a useful outline, it should strike a
good balance between hype and content. Get the audience's attention, introduce the subject,
clarify its importance to the audience, state a thesis or intent, and outline the key points which
are all essential. You can have a road map that outlines your key points by the end of the
introduction.
2. Body(Say it!)
The body of a speech is the central section of the speech in which the main ideas and key
concepts of the speech are discussed. Except for the introduction and conclusion, the body is
everything. The main points of a speech make up the body of the speech. This is significant
because it aids the audience's comprehension of your speech.
3. Conclusion(Tell them you said it!)
Your speech's conclusion summarizes your main points and purpose while leaving a lasting
impression on your audience. The conclusion's purpose is to summarize your main points and
prepare the audience for the end of your speech. You'll want to recapture the essence of your
speech, including your main points and the reason you spoke. It's especially important to
remember that the end of your speech isn't the time to introduce new points or new
supporting evidence; doing so will only confuse the audience. Consider your conclusion to be
like tying a bow or a ribbon: it's the finishing touch that makes your project stand out.
How to effectively deliver a speech
A. Avoid signs of nerves during your speech
B. Develop good body language
C. Gesticulate for success
D. Make eye contact to engage people
The conventions in delivering a speech include the following:
1. Articulation - A measure of perceived intellect or education is how well we articulate.
2. Pronunciation - Proper articulation applied to a given word is that word’s pronunciation.
3. Accent, dialect, and regionalisms - Subtleties in the way we pronounce words and phrase
our speech within a given language are evident in accents, regionalisms, and dialects.