PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT

MELC: IDENTIFY PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT.

OBJECTIVES: 1. EXPLAIN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ORGANIZATION, COHESION,
COHERENCE, EMPHASIS, LANGUAGE USE AND MECHANICS
2. APPLY THE CONCEPTS OF ORGANIZATION, COHESION, COHERENCE,
EMPHASIS, LANGUAGE USE AND MECHANICS IN WRITING
SHARE YOUR INSIGHT ON THE SAYING:

“Rome was not built in a day”

ACTIVITY

Think back of the most impressive

monuments and structures that you
have heard of. Share about it to the
class.
PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT
 PROCESSING QUESTIONS

1. What made the aforementioned structures massive

and marvelous?
2. Writing is similar to constructing a building. How?
3. A building must be well-built. In comparison, a
text must be well-written. Why?
WHAT ARE THE PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN
TEXT?

1. Unity/Cohesion
2. Adequate Development
3. Coherence
4. Emphasis
5. Language Use
6. Mechanics
UNITY/COHESION

⮚Means that all of the sentences in the paragraph

are related to the topic sentence.
⮚Oneness of all your supporting details
⮚Interrelatedness of all the details in all sentences
of your paragraph
HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE UNITY?

1. Include only relevant ideas to the topic sentence in the

paragraph or composition.
 EXAMPLE

Ordinary Filipinos can easily promote our country to foreigners via social media by supporting the
Department of Tourism (DOT) “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign. First, they can share and like official
publicity materials from the DOT’s Facebook page. Each time a post is shared and liked, it becomes increasingly
visible on Facebook and can reach a wider audience. Next, they can tweet their experiences in various local tourist
destinations on Twitter using the hashtag like #ItsmorefuninPH. When many users tweet using a specific hashtag, it
becomes a trending topic and can be viewed by Twitter users around the world. They can also tell stories to their
foreign friends by talking to them and volunteering to tour them around in our top tourist destinations. Finally, they
can share their own travel photos on Instagram. Because pictures can be worth a thousand words, their pictures can
reveal to foreigners the beauty of the travel destinations the Philippines is blessed with. These, and so much more are
just some examples of how Filipinos can participate in the DOT’s campaign through social media.
Note: The paragraph lacks unity because the underlined point does not support the main idea.
 ACTIVITY: IDENTIFYING THE TOPIC SENTENCE AND
ELIMINATING IRRELEVANT SENTENCES
(1)In some parts of the tropics, trained monkeys are used to pick coconuts. (2)Have you ever tasted
fresh coconut meat? (3)A monkey will climb a palm and grab the nearest coconut. (4)If the coconut is ripe, the
monkey’s handler will tell the monkey to twist it off the stalk. (5)I wonder how you can tell if the coconut is
ripe. (6)If the handler decides the coconut is unripe, he will tag the cord around the monkey’s waist, and the
monkey will reach for a different coconut. (7)Some coconuts weigh as much as six pounds. (8)The monkeys
work industriously, although they will sulk if they are made to work too long.
Topic Sentence: (1)In some parts of the tropics, trained monkeys are used to pick coconuts.
Irrelevant Sentences: (2)Have you ever tasted fresh coconut meat?
(5)I wonder how you can tell if the coconut is ripe.
(7)Some coconuts weigh as much as six pounds.
 ACTIVITY: IDENTIFYING THE TOPIC SENTENCE AND
ELIMINATING IRRELEVANT SENTENCES
(1)Ceylon is an island of great natural wealth. (2)Rice and coconut palms thrive in the warmth of the
coastal plains. (3)The island has a 325-mile coastline. (4)In the hills, large plantations yield an abundance of
rubber. (5)Tea grows in profusion on the mountain slopes. (6)Other products of the island include quinine,
cacao, coffee, cinnamon, and citronella. (7)Quinine, a medicine used mostly in treating malaria, is made from
the bark of cinchona tree.
Topic Sentence: (1)Ceylon is an island of great natural wealth.
Irrelevant Sentence: (7)Quinine, a medicine used mostly in treating malaria, is made from the bark of cinchona
tree.
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE UNITY?

2. Provide a specific topic sentence to effectively control the flow of details in your
paragraph.
Consider the following example:
Passage 1: Vague Topic Sentence with Weak Supporting Sentences
Humor affects people’s actions. Major advertisers often use cartoon commercials
to tickle consumer’s funny bones. Many major companies also use satires of Filipino
culture to convince consumers that they need particular products.
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE UNITY?

Passage 2: Specific Topic Sentence with Strong Supporting Sentences

Humor in advertising when used properly and cleverly, can persuade people to
prefer a specific brand of product. Major advertisers often use computer animated
characters in commercials to tickle consumer’s funny bones. For instance, Jollibee’s
employment of a computer animated Jollibee mascot resulted not only in increased brand
recognition but also in an increased sale.
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE SPECIFICITY IN THE TOPIC
SENTENCE?

⮚Ensure that your topic sentence is comprised of the topic and the limiting idea.
❑The topic lets you know the general domain of the paragraph.
❑The limiting idea narrows the domain to the specific idea, the paragraph will fully
develop and discuss.
Example:
Chocolate ice cream is the best. (without a limiting idea)
Chocolate ice cream sparks hormones in the human brain which make people feel
content. (with a limiting idea)
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE SPECIFICITY IN THE TOPIC
SENTENCE?

Vague Topic Sentence: Today’s technology is affecting people’s learning.

Specific Topic Sentence: Today’s technology encourages adults to improve their
knowledge and skills through continuing education classes.
 ACTIVITY: IDENTIFY WHETHER THE TOPIC SENTENCE
IS SPECIFIC OR VAGUE

Passage 3: Specific Topic Sentence with a Limiting Idea

Chocolate does more than just tastes good- it has physiological effects.
Chocolate contains caffeine, which provides spurts of energy. It releases endorphins,
which create a sense of relaxation and comfort. Chocolate also contains a chemical
substance which when consumed in very large quantities, can lead to altered states of
consciousness.
 ADEQUATE DEVELOPMENT

⮚Helps the readers become interested in the topic

⮚Helps the readers understand the message
⮚Convinces the readers of the validity of your topic sentence.
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE ADEQUATE DEVELOPMENT?

⮚Elaborate the topic sentence in the paragraph by using concrete evidence, different
examples, relevant facts, and specific details.
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE ADEQUATE DEVELOPMENT?

I dislike Physical Education (PE). Why is it that we have to waste class time
playing sports that we have no choice in? Who said basketball is the best sport? I dislike
PE because it makes me tired. It makes my skin dark. Finally, I dislike it because I look
stupid when I play sports.

Note: This paragraph has vague ideas; the writer has enumerated reasons for disliking
PE but did not explain them sufficiently.
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE ADEQUATE DEVELOPMENT?

I am one student who has a strong dislike for PE. First, I do not like how we have little choice
in the sports we play in. We usually play basketball, volleyball, or other team sports. I am someone
who prefers one-on-one games because I am shy and I find it hard to work in a team. Second, most
sports we choose involves outdoor settings. My skin is sensitive to the sun and I get allergies and
become dark easily when exposed to sunlight for too long. Finally, most sports we play are spectator
sports. They are meant to be played before a cheering audience. As someone who is self-conscious
when playing sports (especially since I am not sporty), I am uncomfortable when all eyes are on me.
Overall, I believe I will enjoy this subject more if we had more options in the sports that we take up.
Note: This paragraph provides specifics; therefore is more engaging and informative.
 COHERENCE

⮚A smooth and uninterrupted flow of thought that continues consistently from sentence
to sentence.
⮚Logical arrangement of sentences
⮚Sets the tone of the text and ensures that the vocabulary and grammar are also correct
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE COHERENCE?

⮚Organize the details of a paragraph according to chronological, spatial, or emphatic

order
▪ Chronological Order- the details are arranged in the order in which they happened
▪ Spatial Order- the sentences of a paragraph are arranged according to geographical
location
▪ Emphatic Order- information found in the paragraph is arranged to emphasize certain
points depending on the writer’s purpose.
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE COHERENCE?

Example:
1. The everyday life of a high school freshman can be exhausting.
2. The high school classroom has many differences from the grade school
classroom that can be surprising to the freshman.
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE COHERENCE?

⮚ Use coherence/signal devices

1. Transitions (words/phrases that connect one idea to another)
a. Time (after, afterward, again, as long as, as soon as, at last, at the same time, before, during, earlier,
eventually, finally, first, formerly, immediately, in the meantime, later, last, meanwhile, next, now,
second, since, shortly, simultaneously, soon, subsequently, then, thereafter, until, when, while, etc.)
b. Sequence (moreover, furthermore, next, also, finally, last, another, first, second, third, besides,
additionally, etc.)
c. Space/Place/Direction (above, behind, below, beside, close, elsewhere, farther on, here, nearby,
next to, opposite, to the left, etc.)
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE COHERENCE?

⮚ Use coherence/signal devices

1. Transitions
d. Illustration (for instance, specifically, for example, namely, in this case, to illustrate, etc.)
e. Comparison (similarly, also, in the same way, in the same manner, still, likewise, in comparison, too,
etc.)
f. Contrast (but, despite, however, even though, yet, on the other hand, although, on the contrary, in
contrast, nevertheless, regardless, instead, otherwise, conversely, still)
g. Cause and Effect (therefore, thus, for this reason, otherwise, accordingly, because, as a result,
consequently, then, so, since, hence, if, etc.)
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE COHERENCE?

h. Conclusion/Summary (all in all, thus, therefore, in conclusion, in short, in sum, in summary, on the whole, that is,
to sum up, indeed, finally, in other words etc.)
i. Restatement (in other words, in short, in summary, that is, again, in fact, indeed, of course, certainly, after all,
surely, actually)
j. Addition (again, and, besides, equally important, first, second, third, further, furthermore, moreover, in addition, in
the first place, likewise, also, in sum, by way of summary, next, too, etc.)
k. Example (for example, for instance, specifically, in fact, that is, to illustrate, etc.)
l. Emphasis (above all, certainly, indeed, in fact, of course, obviously, etc.)
m. Amplification (apparently, besides, equally important, etc.)
n. Interpretation (significantly, interestingly, surprisingly, etc.)
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE COHERENCE?

⮚Use coherence/signal devices

2. Repetitions (repetitions of main ideas keep continuity and highlight important ideas)
3. Synonyms (these are words similar in meaning to important words or phrases that
prevent tedious repetitions)
4. Pronouns (words that connect readers to the original that the pronouns replace)
5. Parallelism (using similar sentence structures)
 EMPHASIS

⮚Prominence of the most important detail in your paragraph

 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE EMPHASIS?

⮚Use the following devices:

1. Emphasis through Logical Order
Deductive order- place the most important detail in the first sentence
Inductive Order- place the most important detail in the last sentence
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE EMPHASIS?

Sample 1
Whales are among the most intelligent of the mammals. Scientists rank whale
intelligence with that of higher primates because of whale’s sophisticated group behavior.
These impressive mammals have been seen teaching and disciplining their young, helping
their wounded comrades, engaging in such elaborate complex activities through their
highly effective communication system of sonar dicks and pings. This remarkable social
organization makes them the most intelligent of the mammals.
Note: Deductive Order
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE EMPHASIS?

Sample 2
Robot researchers in Stanford University have created an impressive robot system
that takes care of at least 13 needs of quadriplegics, from preparing canned soup and
serving it, to brushing their teeth afterwards. Sometime in the near future, there will be
robots that can be directed with a few words or even a gesture of a hand. The robots
inventor predicts that the most stultifying, demeaning and downright dangerous human
activities will be taken over literally by a new slave class- mobile, sensate, service robots.
Note: Inductive Order
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE EMPHASIS?

2. Emphasis through Parallelism

Parallelism- refers to the uniformity in the pattern of the grammatical structures of words,
phrases, and sentences within a paragraph.
Sample 1
Money can’t buy you happiness, can’t buy you peace of mind, can’t buy you real friends.
Sample 2
Happiness is a conscious decision. It is dictated by the person’s mind. It is created by the
person’s heart. It is willed and lived by the person himself.
 HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE EMPHASIS?

2. Emphasis through Climactic Order

⮚ The series of details are arranged in ascending degree of importance or interest
⮚ Usually used in narratives
Sample 1
I came, I saw, I conquered!
-Julius Caesar
Sample 2
I have grown with it. I have lived through it. I have died in it!
 LANGUAGE USE

⮚Refers to the level of language and consideration for the colloquial terms that will be used
sparingly
Others Considerations
1. Language as it Applies within the Text
Example:
According to JK Rowling Rowling’s Harry Potter series, a human without magic is
called a Muggle. However, in her new series, it appears that the term Muggle is no longer
used; instead, non-wizards are called No-Maj, which is short for “No Magic”.
 LANGUAGE USE

Considerations
2. Language Complexity
The writers fits his language to his target audience.
 5 MAJOR ISSUES WITH APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE TO BE
AVOIDED IN AN EFFECTIVE AND WELL-WRITTEN TEXT

1. The formality of the language one uses should depend on how formal the situation is
and how the writer and the reader are related to one another.
2. Jargons used by groups of individuals in the same field, should only be used if the
target readers belong to the same group.
3. Slangs and idioms should be avoided.
4. Euphemisms shall also be avoided.
5. Avoid using any biased language.
 MECHANICS

⮚Apply to general sentence constructions, punctuations, capitalizations, grammar,

vocabulary, spelling and the likes
Other Considerations
1. Use of Mechanics According to What is Necessary for the Text
2. Use of Mechanics to Emphasize Cultural Differences
 MECHANICS

Passage 1:
I can never forget my class last school year because they were so active and responsible
in class they always worked together well in doing their assignments performing group and
individual tasks submitting their projects on time keeping the classroom spic and span.
They are worth remembering for everything that they did inside and outside the campus
they always helped one another they seldom got themselves in conflict with anyone in the class.
Note: This paragraph does not follow the mechanics in writing.
 MECHANICS

Passage 2:
My class is worth remembering. They were so active and responsible. They always
worked together well in doing their assignments, performing group and individual tasks,
submitting their projects on time, and keeping the classroom spic and span.
Everything that they did inside and outside the campus was worth remembering.
They always helped one another. Also, they seldom got themselves in conflict with
anyone in the class.
Note: This paragraph follows the mechanics in writing.
 ACTIVITY 1: EVALUATING PARAGRAPHS FOR
UNITY
A.
(1)My teacher, when I was in grade school, always dressed herself appropriately. (2)When she was
in class, she wore simple, practical skirts and blouses. (3)Skirts and blouses are better than whole dresses
because they make the movement easier and freer. (4)Besides, whole dresses are very expensive nowadays.
(5)During school programs and seminars, she usually wore a semi-formal attire that is modest and
inexpensive. (6)For picnics or field trips, she normally would wear casual jeans and jeans to suit the out-of-
class occasion. (7)There were numerous outdoor activities that our school required. (8)And when our
graduation day came, my teacher put on her special Filipiniana dress to celebrate the culminating activity.
Irrelevant sentences: 3, 4, and 7
 ACTIVITY 1: EVALUATING PARAGRAPHS FOR
UNITY
B. Living in an apartment while attending college is advantageous for many students because it helps them
develop maturity. For one thing, it promotes self-reliance. To manage apartment living successfully, students
have to do their own laundry, clean up their messes, and buy and cook their own food. Since they are faced
with expenditures they did not at home- such as rent, utility bills, food and furniture- they must also learn to
budget their money and spend it wisely. If they do, they will take an important step along the road to maturity.
And, finally, living in an apartment stimulates pride of ownership. Decorating and furnishing an apartment,
however simply, requires thought and taste in the purchase and arrangement of furniture and accessories.
Those who have invested their time and energy in acquiring such possessions are apt to take care of them.
(Smith and Liedlich, Rhetoric for Today, 6th edition, 1983, pp. 18-19)
 ACTIVITY 2: ACHIEVING COHERENCE

but yet oftentimes because according to as a result and

College students read differently. One student reads everything at a slow pace (1)___________
he is convinced he has better understanding. (2)__________ he admits that he has troubles
comprehending what he is reading. Another student practiced speed reading, (3)______________ he
skims lightly and quickly over everything, regardless of what his purpose in reading is.
(4)____________ his comprehension is frequently low, particularly in his studies. A third reader, who
does well in his class work, is quick to recognize a change in the difficulty level of his material
(5)___________ the purpose for which he is reading. This student will then adjust his rate and method
accordingly. He has learned that a good reader adapts his rate and method of reading (6)________ his
purpose and to the difficulty of his reading material.
 ACTIVITY 2: ACHIEVING COHERENCE

but yet oftentimes because according to as a result and

College students read differently. One student reads everything at a slow pace (1)and he is
convinced he has better understanding. (2)Yet, he admits that he has troubles comprehending what he is
reading. Another student practiced speed reading, (3)oftentimes he skims lightly and quickly go over
everything, regardless of what his purpose in reading is. (4)As a result, his comprehension is frequently
low, particularly in his studies. A third reader, who does well in his class work, is quick to recognize a
change in the difficulty level of his material (5) and the purpose for which he is reading. This student
will then adjust his rate and method accordingly. He has learned that a good reader adapts his rate and
method of reading (6) according to his purpose and to the difficulty of his reading material.
 ACTIVITY 2: ACHIEVING COHERENCE

Combine the following sentences using the appropriate coherence devices. Choose from among the
options listed in the box below.
thus so however consequently similarly
1. Moral maturity means shedding off the old self. It also means putting on the new self.
Moral maturity means shedding off the old self; similarly, it means putting on the new self.
2. The human person has value. That value is not measured in terms of material possessions.
The human person has value; however, that value is not measured of material possessions.
3. A person is a creature gifted by God. He should use all these God-given gifts wisely and unconditionally.
A person is a creature gifted by God; thus, he should use all these God-given gifts wisely and unconditionally.
 ACTIVITY 2: ACHIEVING EMPHASIS

Underline the parts that are emphasized, and indicate which devices for emphasis are used: logical organization, parallelism,
climactic order
1. God bless us. God bless our schools. God bless the Philippine Education
2. You heart has four chambers. The upper two chambers, called atria or auricle, receive blood from the veins. They are joined to two
lower chambers called ventricles. These are the pumps of your heart. The right ventricle pumps blood that needs oxygen to the lungs
and the left ventricle pumps oxygen-rich blood to the entire body. The muscular walls of the left ventricles are thicker than the walls
of the right ventricle making it easier to feel your heart beat on the left side of your chest.
3. Nearly all living creatures manage some form of communication. The dance patterns of bees in their hive help to point the way to
distant flower fields or announce successful foraging. Male stickle back fish regularly swim upside-down to indicate outrage in a
courtship contest. Male deer and lemurs mark territorial ownership by rubbing their own body secretions on boundary stones or
trees. Everyone has seen a frightened dog put his tail between his legs and run in panic. We, too, use gestures, expressions, postures
and movement to give our words point.
 REFLECTION

What have you learned from today’s lesson?

 REFLECTION

What have your learned from today’s lesson?

 CLOSING

“Write to be understood, speak to be heard, READ TO GROW”

-Lawrence Clark Powell

“Reading is a conversation. All books talk. But a good book listens as well.”
- Mark Haddon