Reading and Writing 4th Quarter

. Critical Reading as a Form of Reasoning .

[ What is Critical Reading? ]

⮚ Critical reading is a process of analyzing, interpreting and, sometimes, evaluating what we
read. When we read critically, we use our critical thinking skills to QUESTION both the text and
our own reading of it.
Critical reading also tells the reader what the text does and what it means. In other words,
while basic reading is concerned with what is in a text, critical reading is also concerned with
how the text is written and why it is written this way.
- A critical reader constantly asks one big question as he reads:

This question can be broken down into many other questions:

A. CONSIDERING THE SOURCE
1. What kind of publication is this?
2. What is the author's background in this subject?
3. To whom is the author writing?

B. RECOGNIZING WHAT IS SAID

4. Had the author really said what I think he said?

C. RECOGNIZING ASSUMPTIONS, AND IMPLICATIONS

5. Does the author make inconsistent statements?
6. What has the author assumed to be true? Which of these assumptions are stated?
unstated?
7. Does a particular statement depend on context for its intended meaning?
8. What does the author imply? insinuate?

D. RECOGNIZING INTENT, ATTITUDE, TONE, AND BIAS

9. Why is the author writing this? motive? purpose?
10. What is the author's attitude? tone? biases?
11. Does the author mean what he says or is he making his point in a roundabout way through
humor, satire, irony, or sarcasm?
12. Are the author's words to be taken exactly as they appear, or are they slang, idioms, or
figures of speech? 13. Which of the author's statements are facts? opinions?

E. ANALYZING ARGUMENTS
14. Does the author write emotionally? using sentiment? horror? name-calling? flag waving?
15. Which of the author's statements does he support? Which does he leave unsupported?
16. What conclusions does the author reach?
 17. Of the author's conclusions, which are justified? Which ones are not justified?

Kurland (2010) noted that to non-critical readers, text provide facts. Readers gather knowledge in a
way of memorizing the statements in a text. Critical readers recognize not only what a text says, but
also how a text describes the subject matter. According to him, there are three steps or modes of
analysis which can be reflected in three types of reading and discussion:

It is important therefore, that you not only learn to read critically but also efficiently. To read
efficiently is to become selective by choosing carefully what you will read. And to start with, you need
to know what you are looking for. You can then examine the contents page and/or index of a book or
journal to find out whether a chapter or article is worth to be read further.
It is essential to read critically because it requires you to evaluate the arguments in the text.
This also means being aware of your opinions and expectations (positive and negative) of the text you
are reading so you can evaluate it honestly.

EVALUATION GUIDE FOR CRITICAL READING

ELEMENTS FOR
EXPLANATION GUIDE
EVALUATION
This is the substance of the text. Are the opinions/ideas present
Content comprehensibly including the depth of the text? As a whole, is it
captivating the audience or the reader?
This is the stand of the author on an issue/article. Are facts included on
Objectivity it? Does it present both sides of an argument? Does the author have
ethical and moral consideration in his/her article?
This is the intention of the author in his/her article. Its entire meaning
and the value of the issue/article into its reader. Can the reader
Significance
preferably connect the issue to his/her life? Is it open for interaction?
How is it valuable to the reader?
[ CRTITCAL REASONING ]

Becoming a Critical Thinker

Critical reasoning or critical thinking is a basic skill that all humans are born with, but which can
be sharpened with practice. The better your ability to think critically, the better you will be at making
good decisions in your life. The skills involved in critical reasoning will assist you in every area of life
and study, whether it is deciding which political candidate to vote for or which job to take.

FUNCTIONS/
DESCRIPTIONS EXAMPLES
COMPONENTS

If you think for yourself, you question the

world and offer alternative viewpoints about the
way the world is perceived by other people.

When we say think for yourself, we don’t

mean ‘think selfishly for yourself’. We mean ‘think “Too much exposure to
Thinking for independently’. A person who thinks for herself or radiation has negative
Yourself himself has to have a sense of humility, and of effects to one’s health. I
modesty, and of relativity because you have to should limit myself in using
realise that other people are also thinking for gadgets.”
themselves and you’re bound to come out with
something a little different from what they are
thinking. In order to become a critical thinker, you
need to have the ability to listen and the
 modesty to adjust your point of view as you
gather more insights.

Informed reasoning is based on claims

that can be substantiated. In other words, your
opinion is based on fact and not on personal
opinion. In today’s world where we become ever
more involved in using technology as a resource
for information, it is crucial that we have the
“My mother teaches me that
ability to think in an informed way in order to be
I should not marry someone
able to interpret the amount of information
I don’t love therefore I should
available to us.
not marry someone I don’t
The ability to form and articulate opinions love.”
is extremely important in all facets of life. As
citizens, people need to form opinions about
Thinking in an political issues and leaders in order to vote
Informed Way responsibly. We must form opinions about social
(Informed issues, and we form opinions about the people
Reasoning) we work and interact with on a daily basis.
However, simply having an opinion about a given
topic is not enough. In this age of information, if
we want to effectively share our opinions with
others, we must be educated about the topics
we are discussing. Whether writing a letter to the
editor about a local issue or trying to convince
your boss that you’ve developed a great
business strategy or convincing your parents
that you should have a specific privilege,
presenting an informed, educated opinion is
much more effective than sharing one based on
emotion or personal experience alone.

In our opinion critical self-reflection entails

the ability to reflect critically on your own
assumptions, and to critically evaluate your own “Eating unhealthy foods
prejudicial attitudes and biases. causes serious health
CRITICAL problems. If I reduce my
Critical self-reflection relates to
SELF- food intake, I might avoid
self-knowledge and self-awareness.
REFLECTION getting sick.”
Furthermore, the enterprise of critical
self-reflection is liberating in that it allows us to
think for ourselves instead of being indoctrinated
and manipulated by stereotypical beliefs.
. FORMULATING EVALUATIVE STATEMENTS .

[ TOPIC 1: EVALUATIVE STATEMENT ]

Evaluative statements about a text are formulated after having read the text carefully and
critically, which means that the reader/writer has grasped the essence of the text and has checked if
there are fallacies in the arguments. Fallacies occur when illogical reasoning is used to support a
faulty argument, considering that faulty arguments are difficult to support with logical reasoning.

The formulation of evaluative statements is done the same way you do any other writing.
However, the statement is about your judgement of the text’s content and properties. You may
compose your evaluative statements in two steps. The first step is to express your assertions about
the text. The next step is to support your assertions with pieces of evidence you can find in the text.
(Cenizal-Raymundo, 2016)

[ TOPIC 2: ASSERTIONS ]
Assertion is a stylistic approach or technique involving a strong declaration, forceful or
confident and positive statement regarding a belief or a fact. Often, it is without proof or any support.

It is a confident and forceful statement of fact or belief. Its purpose is to express ideas or
feelings directly, for instance, “I have put my every effort to complete this task today”. “Standing up for
your rights and not being taken advantage of is one definition of being assertive. It also means
communicating what you really want in a clear fashion, respecting your own rights and feelings and
the rights and feelings of others.

Assertion is an honest and appropriate expression of one’s feelings, opinions, and needs. A way to
convince a critical reader to accept the writer’s claim is to formulate assertions. Assertions, as defined
by Tiongson (2016), are “declarative sentences that claim something is true about something else.”
These sentences may either be statements of truths or opinions. There are four common types of
assertion enumerated by Tiongson.

Tiongson’s Types of Assertion

1. Statement of Fact
This is a statement that can be proven objectively by direct experiences, testimonies of
witnesses, verified observations, or the results of research.
Example: The sampaguita’s roots are used for medicinal purposes, such as an anesthetic and a
sedative.
This statement is a fact because it can be directly verified by experience or reliable research
reports.
2. Statement of Opinion
Opinions are based on facts but are difficult to objectively verify because of the uncertainty of
producing satisfactory proofs of soundness.
Example: The popularity of sampaguita flowers is most evident in places of worship.
The above statement is an opinion because it is based on an observation that needs to be proven by
studies and repeated observation; there are too many factors involved that makes explicit judgment
difficult.

3. Statement of Convention
A convention is a way in which something is done, similar to traditions and norms. Conventions
depend on historical precedent, laws, rules, usage, and customs.
Example: The sampaguita belongs to the genus Jasminum of the family Oleaceae.
This statement is a convention because it is based on a classification system made up by scientists
and is acceptable to the scientific community.

4. Statement of Preference
Preferences are based on personal choice; therefore, they are subjective and cannot be
objectively proven or logically attacked.
Example: Sampaguitas are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all flowers.
This statement is a preference because it says a lot about the type of flowers that the writer likes,
instead of objectively comparing the qualities of sampaguitas to that of other flowers.

[ TOPIC 3: COUNTERCLAIM ]
A counterclaim provides an opposing viewpoint to the central claim. They provide a
contrasting perspective to the main argument.
As discussed in your previous handouts, a claim is the central argument of a text. It either aim
to persuade, to convince, to prove, or to suggest something to the reader who may or may not initially
agree with the writer. A counterclaim on the other hand, serves to negate the statement made by the
claim.
Why should a writer include counterclaims in his article?
Including counterclaims in an article helps to prove that one’s opinion is best-substantiated. By
giving voice to the opposing idea and then knocking it down, the writer demonstrates a deep
competence and familiarity with the topic (Dayagbil, Abao & Bacus, 2016).
Look at the way counterclaim is used in the example below:
Example 1 :
One of the ways in which ordinary people can prevent gingivitis is by gargling twice
daily with a dentist-approved mouthwash. However, in a recent survey of American dentists,
some questioned the use of mouthwash as a tactic to prevent gingivitis.
The first sentence in the example contains the claim. The second sentence on the other hand
contains the counterclaim.
How to compose a counterclaim?
Step One – Introduce a claim. You may start this part by using the following sentence starters:
● Many people believe that . . .
● It is often thought that . . .
● It might seem as if . . .
● While it is common . . .

Step Two – Negate the first statement by introducing an opposing idea or a counterclaim. Ways to
transition from claim to counterclaim.
● What this argument fails to consider is . . .
● This view sounds convincing at first but . . .
● Although the core claim is valid, it suffers from the flaw in its . . .
● However, …

Example 2: It is often thought that social studies is the favorite academic class for junior high
school students. However, what this argument fails to consider is that science allows for more
hands-on activities. For example, when studying amphibians, you get to dissect a frog rather than
just read about an event from the past.
The first sentence in the example contains the claim. The second sentence on the other hand
contains the counterclaim. The third sentence supports the counterclaim.

The following questions will help you formulate a counterclaim:

● What are the major points on which you and the author can disagree?
● What is the strongest argument? What did they say to defend their position?
● What are the merits of their view?
● What are the weaknesses or shortcomings in their argument?
● Which lines from the text best support the counterclaim you have formulated?

. TEXTUAL EVIDENCES .

Textual evidence is an evidence in a form of text. This support your claim in your statement by
quoting an idea presented in the text.
Types of Textual Evidence
1. Referencing

This is the act of mentioning a specific section of the text like an event or action.
Examples:
● According to Fussell, ‘The Oxford Book of English Verse presides over the Great War in a
way that has never been fully appreciated’ (159).
● Strickland tells the story of Minty Nelson, a 27-year-old Seattle University employee and
student, whose encounter with a census worker epitomizes the identity battle faced
constantly by multiracial people.
2. Paraphrasing

This is restating an author’s or someone else’s work using your own words without losing the
original idea of the text.
Example:

3. Summarizing

This is stating the essential ideas together of the text in a shorter way.
Example:

4. Quoting

This is stating a part of a text in the exact way it was written.

Example:
● Samantha King, a forensic specialist, stated that “DNA evidence is usually indisputable.”
● According to Confucius, “You can’t open a book without learning something.”
 Support your statements with textual evidence to come up with strong or solid arguments, and
make your ideas more credible. You can come up with good textual evidence by selecting the most
relevant section of the text that strongly supports your statement about the text.

. PURPOSEFUL WRITING IN THE DISCIPLINES AND FOR PROFESSIONS .

[ TOPIC 1: BOOK REVIEW OR ARTICLE CRITIQUE ]

A book review or article critique is a specialized form of academic writing in which a reviewer
evaluates the contribution to knowledge of scholarly works such as academic books and journal
article. A book review or article critique, which usually ranges from 250 to 750 words, is not simply a
summary. It is a critical assessment, analysis, or evaluation of a work. However, take care not to
equate the word “critique” to cynicism and pessimism. As an advance form of writing, it involves your
skills in critical thinking and recognizing arguments. A book review or article critique is different in
movie review that you see in a newspaper. Although movie reviews involve the analysis of one’s work,
they are written for a general audience and primarily aim to offer a persuasive opinion. An academic
book review or article critique, on the other hand, addresses a more specific audience and usually
offers a critical response to a published scholarly work. Moreover, book review must not be mistaken
for book reports. Book reports focus on describing the plot, characters, or idea of a certain work.
Book and article reviewers do not just share mere opinion; rather, they use both proofs and
logical reasoning to substantiate their opinions. They process ideas and theories, revisit and extend
ideas in a specific field of study, and present analytical responses.

Structure of a Book Review or Article Critique

Parts of Book Description/ Feature Example Review:
review Let’s Roll by K H.,Carmel,IN

● (around 5% of the ● Let’s Roll! Ordinary People, Extraordinary

paper) Courage is a biography written by Lisa
Introduction ● Title of the book/article Beamer with Ken Abraham. Beamer’s
● Writer’s name husband, Todd, was one of the brave heroes
● Writer’s thesis statement on United Flight 93 on September 11, 2001.
This is not the typical 9/11 story, though.
Already the mother of two boys, Lisa was
pregnant when Todd died. Unlike some
Americans who dealt with the tragedy
simply by despising the terrorists and
seeking vengeance, Lisa relied on her faith in
God to help her through this horrific
experience.

● (around 10% of the ● This memoir not only features the life of the
paper) Beamer family, it gives shocking details of all
 Summary ● Writer’s objective or the events of that day. Looking back, I never
purpose knew what actually happened. Now, after
● Methods used (if reading Let’s Roll!, I have deeper empathy
applicable) for those lost lives. This book has made me
● Major findings or claims question my faith, and what my actions
would be in a similar situation.

● (in no particular order) ● You might be curious as to how the title of

Review/Critiqu (Around 75% of the the book connects with the story.
e paper) Throughout Todd’s life, “Let’s roll” was his
● Appropriateness of personal phrase. His sons knew when Daddy
methodology to support said “Let’s roll,” they better be ready to head
the arguments out the door. “Let’s roll” also happened to be
● Theoretical soundness Todd’s last words as he followed through
● Soundness of with the plan to attack the terrorists aboard
explanation in relation to his plane
other available
information and experts
● Sufficiency of
explanation
● Other perspectives in
explaining the concepts
and ideas
● Coherence of ideas

● (around 10% of the ● I read this book when a friend

paper) recommended it, and now I know why she
Conclusion ● Overall impression of the did! You become addicted to it from page
work one. Beamer uses language that is easy to
● Scholarly value of the comprehend yet creates vivid images. You
reviewed article/book too will return to what you were doing in the
● Benefits to the intended moments the terrorists attacked.
audience
● Suggestion for future All Americans could benefit from reading
directions this book. Too many of us stay hooked on
the past, yet Lisa is using this tragedy as a
way to move forward. This book taught me
to always move on, yet never forget.

In writing a review/critique you must:

(1) provide a summary of the contents of the contents of the piece of writing under review;
(2) provide a general evaluation of the text;
(3) discuss each point you want to make about the text; and
(4) conclude by telling the readers if the text is worth reading or not. In addition, you must polish your
writing by considering the properties of a well written text.
[ TOPIC 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ]

A literature review is a type of academic writing that provides an overview of a specific topic.
It surveys scholarly work such as academic books , computerized databases, conference
proceedings, dissertation’s/theses, empirical studies government reports, historical records, journal
article, monographs, and statistical handbooks.
As an advance form of academic writing, a literature review critically analyzes the relationship
among the scholarly works and the current work. It can be written as a stand-alone paper or as part
of a research paper explaining a theoretical framework and related studies. Unlike an annotated
bibliography which presents a summary and synthesis (i.e., linking different sources).
Doing a literature review will test your ability to seek literature efficiently and identify useful
scholarly work. It will also test your ability to evaluate studies for their validity and reliability. Hence,
writing a literature review involves research, critical appraisal, and writing.

Structure of a Literature Review

● Purpose for writing literature review and the importance of the topic
being reviewed
Introduction ● Scope the review
● Criteria used for selecting the literature
● Organizational pattern of the review

● Historical background
● Relevant theories

● Relationship between and among the studies, and how each study
Body advanced a theory
● Strengths and weaknesses of each paper
● Various viewpoints on the topic

● Restatement of the main argument or thesis

● Main agreements and disagreements in the literature
● If stand-alone paper: conclusions; implications; and direction for future
studies
Conclusion
● If part of a thesis or research paper: linking of the literature review to the
research questions
● Overall perspective on the topic.

A literature review is a synthesis of whatever professionals or researchers in the field are saying about
a particular topic in the area. It can be written separately from a research paper. It must updated, and
it must supply new interpretations of the issue or subject matter based on the information presented.
Literature Review Sample
Kram (1985) has proposed that mentoring relationships develop and mature over time, providing
different levels of mentoring functions as they progress through a sequence of four distinct phases: initiation,
cultivation, separation, and redefinition. During the initiation phase, the mentor and the protégé begin initial
interactions that involve learning the other’s personal style and work habits. He described the first six to 12 months
of a relationship as characterized by musings that protégés and mentors providing coaching, challenging work
and visibility, the mentor embodies as fantasized role model with whom the protégé begins to identify and
develops positive expectations about career development. If the relationship matures past the initiation phase, it
then progresses to the cultivation phase, in which career development, role modeling and psychosocial
mentoring functions are proposed to be at their highest. Kram (1985) further proposed that the emotional bond
between the mentor and protégé deepens and intimacy increases during this phase. This phase may last from
two to five years as the protégé learns from the mentor and the mentor promotes and protects the protégé.
Protégés gain knowledge from the mentor, and the mentor gains loyalty and support of the protégé and feelings
that his or her values, ideas and work habits may be passed on to the protégé during the cultivation phase. The
third phase, separation, involves a structural and psychological disconnection between the mentor and the
protégé when functions provided by the mentor decrease, and the protégé becomes independent. In the
redefinition phase, the mentor and protégé frequently develop a relationship that is more peer-like, characterized
by mutual support and informal contact.
While career and psychosocial functions are less evident, sponsorship from a distance, occasional
counseling and coaching and ongoing friendship continue. Hay (1995) believes that mentoring process is
underpinned by the following principles: recognizing that people are okay, realizing that people can change and
want to grow, understanding how people learn, recognizing individual differences, empowering through personal
and professional development, developing competence, encouraging collaboration not competition,
encouraging scholarship and What is it? 25 a sense of inquiry, searching for new ideas, theories and knowledge
and reflecting on past experiences as key to understanding. According to Mackimm, et al (2003) mentoring
relationship is a special relationship where two people make real connection. It is a protected relationship in
which learning and experimentation occur through analysis, examination, reexamination and reflection on
practice, situations, problems, mistakes and successes (of both the mentors and the mentees) to identify
learning opportunities and gaps.
According to Yang (2006), mentoring relationships range from loosely defined, informal collegial
associations in which a mentee learns by observation and example to structured formal agreements between
expert and novice co-mentors where each develops professionally through the two-way transfer of experience
and perspective. Whether the relationship is formal or informal, the goal of mentoring is to provide career advice
as well as both professional and personal enrichment. It is important that the mentor and the mentee have a
clear grasp of the mentoring process for maximum benefits of this special relationship. For mentoring to be
effective, the mentee together with the mentor needs to reflect on the experiences in school and attempts to
understand the experience through analysis and conceptualization. The individual makes choices based on
analyzing the implications. She/he identifies options, decides on what to do next and undergoes another
experience.
Mentoring relationship is classified as formal or informal, and short term or long term (Goodyear,
2006). Formal mentoring is usually mandatory and institutionalized by the school or agency. The meetings are
determined, monitored and evaluated based on clearly articulated goals and milestones. Informal mentoring
relationship is more spontaneous and springs from the mentee’s intrinsic desire to become better. The choice of
the mentor is based on trust and confidence. Another type of mentoring is the duration of the relationship which
can be short term and long term. A short term mentoring usually addresses a set of specific needs. Long term
mentoring is based on the broad based goals incorporated in the professional development career of the
institution or agency. Whether the mentoring
relationship is formal or informal, short term or long term, literature proves that mentoring has improved the
teacher’s personal artistry and professional skill in the workplace.
Source: (taken from the research article of Dayagbil, et al.
[ TOPIC 3: RESEARCH REPORT ]
A research report is an expanded paper that presents interpretations and analyses of a
phenomenon based on experiments and previous information so that the readers can better
understand it. It is a laborious work produced through formal investigation and scientific inquiry.

Parts of a Research Report

-contains an informative title that describes the content of the paper, the name of
author/s, addresses or affiliations, and date of submission. Examples of an
Title Page informative title are the following:
a. Effects of Facebook on the Academic Achievement of first Year Students
b. Development and Validation of a Software for Detecting Plagiarism
-contains the summary of the research findings and conclusions. It briefly presents
Abstract the context of the study, research questions or objectives, methodology, major
findings, conclusions, and sometimes implications. An abstract does not contain
any citation or a great deal of statistical results. Its length ranges from 100 to 250
words.
-explains the current state of the field and identifies research gaps. It is also the
Introduction part where the research focus is presented by addressing the identified gaps in the
topic. It puts the research topic in context. It is usually three to five paragraphs long.
-contains the summary and synthesis of all available sources directly related to the
study. In a research report, the literature review is divided into two sections: related
Literature Review concepts and related studies.
Related concepts present some of the fundamental concepts needed by the
readers to better understand the study. Concepts and theories are defined,
explained, and described.
-describes how the experiments or tests in the research were conducted. It
presents the context within which the study was conducted, the participants, the
Methodology instruments used, data gathering procedure, and the data analysis. In discussing
the context of the study and the participants, the number and the demographic
profiles of the participants are explained as well as the place where the study was
conducted.
-factually describes the data gathered and the tables and graphs that summarize
the collected data. Along with the tables and graphs are their respective
Results interpretations. The flow of the results section should follow the flow of the research
questions/problems/objectives. It is expected that for each research problem or
objective, corresponding results are presented.
– provides an explanation of all the results in relation to the previous studies
presented in the literature review. In this section, the research problems or
Discussion objectives, as well as the major findings, are restated in the first paragraph. The
succeeding paragraphs should explain whether the study supports or rejects the
previous findings and explain the reasons for this. New findings uncovered in the
research should also be stated. Similar to the flow of the results, the discussion part
follows the flow of the research problems or objectives.
 -contains the restatement of the major findings, the limitations of the study, the
Conclusion recommendations, and the implications. Note that in some cases, the conclusion is
integrated into the discussion.
References -contains the different sources used in the study. These may be academic books,
journals, and other online sources. Its format depends on the school, teacher, or
field of study.
 Conclusions

In writing a research report, you must (1) choose a topic that is interesting and relevant to your
audience; (2) use the accepted format; (3) accomplish the purpose of each part of the report; (4)
acknowledge the sources of the information you used in your report; and (5) be consistent with the
citation style that you use. You must also keep in mind the properties of a well-written text to make
your writing appear more academic.
[ TOPIC 4: PROJECT PROPOSAL ]

A project proposal is a highly persuasive and informative documents that aims to address a
particular problem or issue. It is a bid or offer to initiate a project for an individual or a group. It usually
ranges from 1,000 to 2,500 words depending on the complexity of the project being proposed.

A good project proposal specifies the following:

● Goals and objectives that the project wants to accomplish;
● Project plan that details how the set goals and objectives will be accomplished;
● Financial, human (e.g., experts, consultants), and technical (e.g., equipment and facilities)
resources useful in implementing the project; and
● Budget that specifies how much money is needed and for what purpose it will be spent.
● Time frame

Parts of a Project Proposal

● Introduces the proposals to the reader
● States the project proposal title, date the proposal was requested (if
Cover solicited), general purpose and scope of the proposal, and
acknowledgement of people who have contributed to the completion
letter
of the proposals
● Includes the highlights of the proposal and directs the readers to this
highlight

● Includes the project title that is concise and informative

● Includes the lead organization, place and date of project, client’s or
Title Page donor’s name, proponent’s name and the department or organization
he/she represents, and date of submissions

● Includes the objectives, implementing organization, major project

Abstract of activities and total project cost
Executive ● Usually composed of 200 to250 words and highlights only the major
points; some abstract may be longer depending on the culture of the
Summary
funding agency
● Uses a paragraph format

Context of the ● Describes the socio-economic, cultural, and political background in

Proposal which the proposal is situated.
● Presents data collected from other sources that are relevant to the
planning stage

● Provides a rationale for the project

● Includes the problem statement that specifies the problem
addressed by the project
● Points out why the problem is an issue that requires immediate
attention
 ● Specifies the target group’s needs that arise from the adverse effect
Project of the described problem
Justification ● Presents the approach or strategy that will be used to address the
problem
● Describes the capability of the implementing organization or group
by stating its track record

Note: When writing this section, justify why your organization or group is
the best group to implement the project.

Personnel ∙ List the people involved in the project, their corresponding roles, and their
Involved summary of qualifications

Project ● Is divided into an activity plan which specifies the schedule of

implementation activities and a resource plan which specifies the items needed to
implement the project
● Describes the activities and resource allocation in detail, as well as
the person in charge of executing the activities
● Indicates the time and place of activities

Budget ● Presents the expected income and expenses over a specified time
period
● Itemizes the budget

Monitoring and ● Specifies when and how the team will monitor the progress of the
Evaluation project
● Specifies the method for monitoring and evaluation
● Specifies the personnel in charge of monitoring and evaluation

Reporting ● Specifies the schedule for reporting the finances and progress of the
Scheme project

Conclusion ● Briefly describes the project, the problem it addresses, and its benefits
to all stakeholders through a summary
● Directs the readers back to the good features of the project
● Urges the readers to contact the proponent to work out the details of
the project proposals

References ● Lists all the references used in drafting the project proposal using the
format required the funding agency
A
A project proposal is basically a problem-solution text that aims to persuade its reader to grant
funding on the project or the accomplishment of the solution to the problem. It has five basic parts,
namely, title page, project summary, qualification budget justification, and project narrative. It
includes visual such as Gantt charts, for timetable, and tables for budget justification and avoids
confusing terms such as jargons, acronyms, and abbreviations specific to a field of study.

[ TOPIC 5: POSITION PAPER ]

A position paper is a type of academic writing that presents one’s stand or viewpoint on a
particular issue. The main objective of writing a position paper is to take part in a larger debate by
stating your arguments and proposed course of action.

Parts of
position
paper Descriptions/ Features
● Uses a lead that grabs the
Introduction attention of readers.
● Defines the issue and provide a
thorough background.
● Provides a general statement of
your position through a thesis
statement.
● State your main arguments and
Body provide sufficient evidence (e.g.,
statistics, interviews with experts,
and testimonies) for each
argument.
∙ Provides counterarguments against
possible weaknesses of your arguments.
● Restates your position and main
Conclusion arguments.
Example:
Committee: General Assembly Topic:
Global Warming Country: The Kingdom
of Sweden Delegates: *****************
Global warming’s effects and
influence on the global climate is visible
all around us now. As time has passed
in the past century, Arctic ice has
begun to gradually melt and sea levels
have started to rise. If this situation
continues, then low-lying island nations
such as Vanuatu and Maldives will sink
into the sea and will simply disappear.
Also, climate is changing in many
parts of the world because of global
warming. For example, acid rain
damaging soils and forests, particularly
in our country, serious droughts in
Australia, and abnormal weather
patterns all over the world. These things
are not naturally occurring phenomena
– they were caused by human actions.
Our nation is addressing global
warming on a domestic level. For
example, we are separating household
waste and recycling as much as we
can, and are imposing taxes on CO2
emissions. Our carbon dioxide
emissions are 0.4% of the global total.
We are raising public awareness
of the environmental problems they will
 ● Suggests a course of action.
● Explains why your position is better
than any other position.
● Ends with a powerful closing
statement (e.g., a quotation, a
challenge, or a question).
face in the future, and we hope that our
people will address this issue. But
individual nations cannot succeed –
the only way to secure our future is if we
can get a consensus of nations to take
action to reduce these effects. Humans
caused this problem and ultimately
they must address and deal with it. We
must, as global citizens, address this
problem actively. Thank you.

Choosing an Issue
1. The issue should be debatable. You cannot take any position if the topic is not debatable.
2. The issue should be current and relevant.
3. The issue should be written in a question form and answerable by yes or no.
4. The issue should be specific and manageable

In writing a position paper, you should (1) describe the issue and your position; (2) present both sides
of the issue; (3) refute counterclaims; and (4) use some figurative language and analogies to explain
a point. You should keep in mind the properties of a well-written text to make your writing easy to
read.

. PROFESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE .

[ TOPIC 1: RESUME ]
Resume comes from the French word re'sume' which means "summary" or "summarized". Resume is a
marketing document that captures your skills and capability. It is submitted together with an
application letter. Resume aims to highlight your skills and strengths that will convince your future
employer of your fitness for the job.
The following are the types of resumes:

Disadvantag
Types Description Advantages Best Use Don't use if
es
Chronolo Lists your Easy to write. Calls Emphasize There are
gical Resume work history Emphasizes attention to s past gaps in your
in reverse steady employme career work history,
order, starting employment nt gaps. growth and when calling
with your record. Skills can developme attention to
current or Employers like to be difficult nt in the your age
most recent see job titles, to spot same could be a
job and level of unless they career. Or problem, you
responsibility, are listed in when the have
 working and dates of the most name of a changed
backwards. your work recent job. former jobs often, or
history. employer you are
may be entering the
significant job market
to for first time
prospective or after a
employer. long
absence.
Functional Focuses on No detailed De-emphasiz Emphasizes You want to
Resume skills and work history. es a spotty transferable emphasize
strengths Content may work history. skills you have growth or
important appear to lack Allows you to used in developmen
to depth. Disliked highlight volunteer t or if your
employers. by many specific work, paid duties and
Omits employers. It strengths and work, or responsibiliti
specific makes them transferable coursework. es in recent
dates, think you may skills that Use this or a jobs were
names, be trying _to might not be combination limited.
and places. hide your age, obvious when resume if you
De-empha employment outlined in are a new
sizes a gaps, lack of purely graduate.
spotty work relevant
history. experience, lack
of career
progression, or
underemploym
ent.
Combination Blends the Blends the flexibility Work history is To show off Your
Resume flexibility and and strength of the often on the your skills experience is
strength of other two types of second page, developed limited, or
the other two resumes. and employer throughout there are
types of may not read your work wide gaps in
resumes. that far. history instead your work
of the specific history.
positions you
have held. Use
when you are
making a
career change
and names of
former
employers
may not be
 obvious to
prospective.

Here are examples of the different types of resumes:

There is no perfect resume but there are guidelines in writing an effective one.
1. Mention specific accomplishments not general statements.
For a resume to be effective, you need to highlight your accomplishments not a generic
description of what you have been doing.
Consider the following examples:
a) Worked in a publishing company.
b) Recruited, hired, trained and supervised more than 20 employees in a publishing with 2
million in annual sales.
Statements A and B describe the work experience of the person, but statement B will likely get
the employer's attention.
2. Use action verbs.
Use "assisted" instead of "responsible for assisting"; “trained” instead of "make the training
possible".
3. Include important information.
Don't forget to include the important information that might shed light on who you are. For
example, you can mention your part time job in Jollibee. This might not have any bearing on
the present job you are applying for but the skills (handling people, managing time) you
learned from that job could be important to your future employer.
4. Make your resume visually attractive.
Make sure that the lay-out/format of your resume is clean and friendly to the eye. Having a
wall text with six different fonts in your resume might cause headache on the employer.
Resume should be appealing to the eye that allows a second glance by the employer.
5. Adopt your resume for specific industry.
A creative resume might do well for the arts but not for engineering or accountancy.
6. Include complete and correct contact information.
There are others who might wonder why they have not been called for interview only to know
that the contact number written in the resume is not correct.

[ TOPIC 2: APPLICATION LETTER ]

An application letter is a composition that serves as your introduction of yourself to your potential
employer. It expresses an applicant’s intent to apply for a specific job in an organization, business or
company.
Before you write an application letter, you have to know the company you are applying in. Do not
write a one-fits-all letter of application. You need to fit your skills with the company’s needs. Specify
your skills that the company needs to become the best person for the job.
When sending your information be sure that it is free from grammatical errors. Remember, your
letter is your first contact with your future employer. Any mistake will have a negative impression on
you.
Here is an example of an application letter:
TIPS FOR WRITING A GOOD APPLICATION LETTER
a) Do not be too modest
Never begin with an expression like you have never had any experience in your type of work.
b) Do not be boastful.
“I have always outranked every student in my class” may be perfectly true. However, it is likely
to antagonize. Such information should leave for other to supply when they write
recommendation letters for the applicant.
c) Do not sound superior to the work you are applying for.
“I am willing to work for you until I can find a place that suits better.” No employer was ever was
ever won by remark like this so never include it in an application.
d) State honestly the achievement that may fit you for the job.
Irrelevant items from the applicant’s past should never be included.
e) Think first of the viewpoint of your prospective employer.
Employers are more interested in what applicants can do for them, not in what they can do for
the applicants.
f) Try to make your letter stand out favorably from other.
A dozen or even hndreds of letters from qualified persons may be received by prospective
employers. The applicants must try their letter noticeable. (Rorabacher, 1992)
[ TOPIC 3: APPLICATION ESSAY FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION ]
The letter that helps determine whether or not you will accept into the college of your choice is a big
feat. The admission process has increasingly become more competitive. No specific letter — writing
approach can promise that you will get admission.

TIPS FOR A BETTER CHANCE OF OBTAINING ACCEPTANCE

a. Research the College
Study and read everything there is about the college. The main objective is to convey how
much you adore this college and that it is perfect for you. Think about it as if you are trying to
convince someone to come with you. Your goal is to let the admission counselor know all
about you and give them enough that they think you might be a good fit for what they have to
offer.
b. Convey Why You Want to Attend
The main thing that the letter needs to convey is why you want to attend this specific college. It
is important not to embellish too much and end up sounding unrealistic. Try to lay honestly out
all the reasons why you think this college is perfect for you.
c. Market Yourself
Every college has a type of student that they specifically look. Market yourself as that student.
Clearly, you must mention your academic qualifications you have, especially of you are on the
honor roll. While the application does look at academics, admittance is not all based on a
person's academic standing. If college is known for having an outstanding drama club or
sports team, and those areas are something you excel in; then be sure to mention this. Take a
look at the brochures for the college; does it talk about community or civil events? If you are
involved in different things around the community, mention that. Reading all documentation
on the school can give you an advantage.
d. Clarify That You Have Something Unique to Offer
Clarify that you have something unique to offer. After talking about why you are perfect for the
college, start focusing on what the college can offer that is good for you. You can focus on
anything from the local art club to the desire to be a part of the football team. Keep in mind
that there are thousands of other individuals who are intelligent and applying as well. It is
important to showcase why you will be a great addition to the college.

e. Double — Check the Letter

The worst thing that you can do is submit a letter with grammatical or spelling errors. While it
may be a pain, one of the first reasons that and choose one application over another is a badly
spelled letter.

Here is the sample application essay for college admission:

[ TOPIC 4: VARIOUS FORMS OF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE ]
Correspondence includes memorandum, email and letters. It is an efficient, fast and reliable way of
requesting something or informing the employees regarding matters related to the company.

FORMS OF BUSINESS FEATURES

CORRESPONDENCE
Letter of Inquiry and Response to an These are the most common business letter. If a letter of inquiry is
Inquiry properly written, it may bring valuable information. If a reply is
correctly written, on the other hand, may build goodwill, and later,
sales.
Letter of Complaint and Adjustment
Order and Acknowledgment Letter
Resignation Letter
Collection Letter
Letter of Recommendation
Letter of Commendation
Even in the best-managed organization, sometimes things go
wrong between a business and its customer. When a product
does not meet the customers’ expectation, they usually
complain.
Orders are one of the simplest types of message to send since
the reader knows about the product or services. The occasion for
writing these letters varies from simple as planning orders for
merchandise or service to issues that must be carefully handled
such as complaints about salespeople or products. This letter is
also known as purchase order or P.O which is to provide the seller
with detailed instruction for fulfilling an order.
A letter of resignation is written when an employee decides to
leave a company.
The letter states the reasons for resigning and the effectively of
the resignation. The writer also usually includes kind words of
appreciation for the company and express gratitude for the
kindness he/she received.
Collection letter is sent out when credit customers fail to pay their
account on time. These letters are the least welcome among
letters, so they require a good tone. Writers need to use
temperate language even if their appeals have repeatedly been
ignored. A company's collection system uses a variety of follow-
up forms and methods, such as printed notices, form letter,
personal letter and telegrams, telephone calls and personal visits
This letter is written by a person who has been asked by a job
applicant to serve as a personal reference. The letter should give
an honest appraisal of the applicant.
The recommendation means an act of showing, making and
favoring a person, an idea or a course of an action to another
person or a group of persons.
This letter can function in the following manner.
1. Recommendation of another professional who can help the
client.
2. Recommendation for the discontinuance of the use of
particular equipment.
3. Recommendation to add more weight to an application.
Recommendation letter endorses someone's ability as well as his
like a.) Statement of purpose b.) The recommended qualification
and c.) Actual recommendation to the reader.
Letter of commendation is an inter — office correspondence. It is
written to comment a person for an exceptional tasks or act
done. It is one way of uplifting the quality or characteristics of a
particular person to inspire more accomplishing tasks
designated to him/her.
 Memorandum Memorandums, memos for short, are a form of letter typically
used for communication inside the business of the organization.
They are written messages exchanged by employees in the
conduct of their work. Memos are usually brief, lacking a
salutation and emphasizing the needs of readers who have time
to skim messages only. Memos are considered public letters
because of their open construction and method ofdelivery.
Memos are often used to designate responsivity, communicate
the same material to many people, inform people of policy,
procedure, confirm oral agreements or decisions, and place
specific information on recOrd. Originally, they were used only in
hard copy, but with the increasing use of computers. They are
now processed electronically as E-mails or faxes.

Here is an example of a memo.: