RWS: PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT

PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT

By: Nel Versoza

Part 1. ORGANIZATION

- refers to the arrangement of ideas in a text.

*Paragraphing is organizing ideas.

BASICS TO A WELL-ORGANIZED PARAGRAPH = STTC

1. Each paragraph=built with single idea.

2. Create a topic sentence.

3. Appropriate technique to develop the idea.

4. Use appropriate connectives.

A PARAGRAPH IS - A collection of related sentences dealing with one topic.

The 3 Parts of Paragraph 

  >(TS,SS,CS)

THE TOPIC SENTENCE:

•      Expresses the main idea of a paragraph.

•       usually the first sentence of a paragraph.

•      Contains the central idea.

Ex: There are three reasons why Philippines is one of the best countries of the world.

SUPPORTING SENTENCE:

•      Develops, explains and supports the main idea of the paragraph.

•      Contains facts, examples and details.

•      Explains why the main idea is true.

Ex: First, Philippines has an excellent health care system. Second, it has a high standard of education. Finally, Philippines’ cities are clean and efficiently managed.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE

•      Usually the last sentence of the paragraph.

•      Restates the main idea.

•      Used to finish the paragraph or to prepare the reader for the following paragraph.

Ex:         As a result, Philippines is a desirable place to live.

        For those reasons, Philippines attracts a lot of immigrants. Wouldn’t you like to live there?

                          Philippines is a great model for other countries to follow.

PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT-Part 2

Ø  COHERENCE VS. COHESION

-          Coherence occurs when ideas are connected at the conceptual or idea level which can be seen through well-defended arguments and organized points.

-          Cohesion is the connection of ideas at the sentence level which can be seen through the smooth flow of the sentences and connection of the ideas.

Three main methods of Good Cohesion:

1.      REPEATED WORDS/IDEAS – One way to achieve cohesion is to repeat words, or to repeat ideas using different words.

2.      REFERENCE WORDS – used to refer to something which is mentioned elsewhere in the text, usually in a preceding sentence. The most common type is pronouns, such as 'it' or 'this' or 'these’.

3.       TRANSITION SIGNALS – also called cohesive devices. Examples of transition signals are:

 for example - used to give examples

 in contrast - used to show a contrasting or opposite idea

 first - used to show the first item in a list

 as a result - used to show a result or effect

Cohesion is an important feature of academic writing. It can help ensure that your writing coheres or 'sticks together', which will make it easier for the reader to follow the main ideas in your essay or report. You can achieve good cohesion by paying attention to three important features. The first of these is repeated words. The second key feature is reference words. The final important aspect is transition signals.

Final Task: Choose a topic sentence below and write one paragraph of it. Make the text coherent and cohesive.

1.      Religion is important in the society.

2.      Christmas is the season to give and forgive.

3.      Love means acceptance.

PROPERTIES PART 3.

      APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE USE

- refers to the acceptable style of language for a particular form of text

ON APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE

ON APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE

1. Levels of Formality: Use style and language that fits your audience and matches your purpose. 
2. In-Group Jargon: Jargon refers to specialized language used by groups of like-minded individuals. Never use jargon for a general audience.
3. Slang and idiomatic expressions: Avoid using in general academic writing.
4. Deceitful language and Euphemisms: Avoid using (words that veil the truth, such as "collateral damage" for the unintended destruction of civilians and their property).
5. Biased language: Avoid using any biased language including racial, ethnic, group, or gender bias or stereotypical language.

THE SIX CHARACTERISTICS OF EFFECTIVE LANGUAGE

1. Concrete and Specific Language - includes descriptions which create tangible images with details the reader can visualize.

He is a bad roommate.
He is lazy and discourteous.
He is untidy and unclean.
He doesn't clean up his own messes.
He leaves his dirty dishes on the kitchen counter.

2. Concise Language - A hallmark of effective writers is the ability to express the desired message in as few words as possible.

(1) It is widely discussed by employees that many of them will be forced to change jobs and take on new responsibilities when the merger takes place between the two companies.
(2) Before making a decision about whether the person on trial is guilty or innocent in this case, the members of the jury should be sure to carefully think about, ponder and reflect on all of the important and relevant testimony in the case.

3. Familiar Language

•      Language which the readers easily recognize and understand because they use it on a regular basis. One of the most important functions of language is to build "homophily" or a sense of commonality with one's readers.

•      Ex.1.An assignment given to a class of business students by their philosophy professor:
"The presently assigned paper necessitates an eloquently articulated analysis of the Existentialist perspective as it pertains to contemporary living. You should adumbrate the points which represent the sine qua non of your analysis."

•      Ex.2.A letter sent to high school students warning them of the risks of an unhealthy diet:
"Individuals who maintain a diet of high fat content are exposed to an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis, which is a buildup of fat deposits on the inner walls of the arteries. This condition can reduce or cut off the flow of blood in the arteries serving the major organs of the body. This can lead to poor health."

4. Precise and Clear Language

•      Words can be interpreted in different ways by different people in different situations. The more precise and clear one's use of language becomes, the fewer the number of possible interpretations for a message.

•      Consider the following examples. Note the potential confusion or ambiguity.

•      (1) Why students should continue their study in this state of apathy is not really understandable.
(2) Josefa is dull and slack-minded.
(3) He's an interesting individual.

•       Each of the following are actual headlines printed in newspapers. Notice their double meaning.

•      (1) Include your children when Baking Cookies
(2) Bank Drive-in Window Blocked by Board
(3) Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in Ten Years
(4) Eye Drops Off Shelf

5. Constructive Language

•      It phrases a potentially negative message in a positive way. Readers are likely to become defensive when the writer's language expresses any or all of the following:

•      Superiority over the reader

•      Indifference or apathy about an issue of importance to the reader       >. Command or control over the reader

•      Negative evaluation or judgment of the reader (as opposed to neutral descriptions or observations)

•      Skepticism or doubt about the reader's credibility or the legitimacy of their claims

•      EX.(1) Boss to employee: "Your job performance recently has been unacceptable and there are no excuses for it. You have claimed that you are having some serious personal problems, but even if this is true, you cannot allow it to affect the quality of your work. If your work doesn't improve, I'll have to replace you with someone else."
(2) Student to instructor: "You have confused me so badly with your lectures that I don't know what to do. I am considering dropping out and taking the class next quarter from Dr. Cruz, who can explain the information much more clearly. I don't want to drop out, but I have never been so frustrated with an instructor in my whole life."
(3) Instructor to student: "I have never had a student who was so confused with this material. Perhaps you should take an easier course from an easier professor.”

6. Formality of Language

•      The formality of the language one uses should match the formality of the situation and the relationship between the writer and reader.

•      Very Formal: Exceedingly large segments of the population are expressing their discontent with medical practitioners who appear to more engrossed in amassing financial assets than in providing efficacious care to people with health disorders.

•      Formal: A large number of consumers are complaining about medical doctors who are apparently more interested in making money than in providing effective health care.

•      Informal: A lot of people are unhappy with their doctors who only seem to care about how much money they make, and not about giving their patients good care.

PART 4. MECHANICS
as one of the properties of a well-written text
NELSON G. VERSOZA

***In academic and more formal texts, the following should be observed:

1.   Always use Standard English.

2.   Avoid contractions.

3.   Avoid exclamation marks unless they are part of the direct quotation.

4.   Mention the full name.

5.   Numbers from zero to ten should be spelled out; higher than ten, figures.

6.   Use citations.

CAPITALIZATION
- the action of writing in capital letters or with an initial capital.

RULE NO. 1

Capitalize the first word of a quoted sentence.

He said, "Treat her as you would your own daughter.“

"Look out!" she screamed. "You almost ran into my child."

RULE NO. 2

Capitalize a proper noun.

Golden Gate Bridge

Dr. Jose P. Rizal

Pasig Catholic College

RULE NO. 3

Capitalize a person's title when it precedes the name. Do not capitalize when the title is acting as a description following the name.

Chairperson Fernandez

Ms. Fernandez, the chairperson of the company, will address us at noon.

RULE NO. 4

Capitalize the person's title when it follows the name on the address or signature line.

Sincerely,

Ms. Joyce Haines, Chairperson

Yours truly,

Dr. Rolando P. Castro, Dean

RULE NO. 5

Capitalize the titles of high-ranking government officials when used before their names. Do not capitalize the civil title if it is used instead of the name.

The president will address Congress.

President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his SONA last week.

RULE NO. 6

Capitalize any title when used as a direct address.

Will you take my temperature, Doctor?

Do you have a court hearing, Attorney?

RULE NO. 7

Capitalize points of the compass only when they refer to specific regions.

Go south three blocks and then turn left.

We live in the Southeast section of San Manuel.
RULE NO. 8

Always capitalize the first and last words of titles of publications regardless of their parts of speech. Capitalize other words within titles, including the short verb forms Is, Are, and Be.

Do not capitalize little words within titles such as a, an, the, but, as, if, and, or, nor, or prepositions, regardless of their length.

The Day of the Jackal What Color Is Your Parachute?

A Tale of Two Cities

RULE NO. 9

Capitalize federal or state when used as part of an official agency name or in government documents where these terms represent an official name. If they are being used as general terms, you may use lowercase letters.

That is a federal offense.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been subject to much scrutiny and criticism lately.

We will visit three states during our summer vacation.

RULE NO. 10

Capitalize the first word of a salutation and the first word of a complimentary close.

Dear Ms. Prestoza:              My dear Mr. Vergara:                    Very truly yours,

RULE NO. 11

After a sentence ending with a colon, do not capitalize the first word if it begins a list.

These are my favorite foods: chocolate cake, fried chicken and adobo.

These are my skills:  programming, driving, communication and multi-tasking.

RULE NO. 12

Do not capitalize names of seasons.

I love autumn colors and spring flowers.

Philippines has summer and rainy seasons.

**PUNCTUATION
- the marks used in writing to separate sentences and their elements and to clarify meaning.

Top Ten Rules in Punctuation

10.  COMMA (,)

Use commas to separate independent clauses in a sentence.

Example: The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave.

Yesterday was her brother’s birthday, so she took him out to dinner.

10.  COMMA

Use commas after introductory words, phrases, or clauses that come before the main clause.

Examples: While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door.

If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor.

10.  COMMA

Use a pair of commas to separate phrases aside from the main body of the sentence.

Example: John and Inga, the couple from next door, are coming for dinner tonight.

10.  COMMA

Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names.

Example: Birmingham, Alabama, got its name from Birmingham, England.

November 25, 2014, was a momentous day in my life.

10.  COMMA

Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.

Example: John said without emotion, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I was able,” she answered, “to complete the assignment.”

9.  Period (.)

The primary use of a period is to end a sentence.

Example:

Business English is very important for your professional growth.

9.  Period (.)

Its second important use is for abbreviations.

Examples: Jesus Christ was born c. 4-6AD

Mr. Jose was happy to see his wife.

8. Question Mark (?)

It goes at the end of a sentence which is a question.

Examples: What can you do for the company?

How can you be an asset?

7. Exclamation Point (!)

This is used in ending extreme emotions expressed in a sentence.

Example: Ouch!  Fire! Fire!  Hurray!

>are used to quote another person’s words exactly, whether they be spoken, or written.

Examples:

John said, “We are going shopping.” 

As Phil Nevers explains, “Knowledge is a useless power if not applied” 

6.  Quotation marks ( “ ” )

used to denote irony or sarcasm, or to note something unusual about it.

Example: The great march of “progress” has left millions impoverished and hungry.

5.  Colon (:) used after a complete statement in order to introduce one or more directly related ideas, such as a series of directions, a list, or a quotation or other comment illustrating or explaining the statement.

Example: The daily newspaper contains four sections: news, sports, entertainment, and classified ads.

5.  Colon (:)

used to separate chapter and verse from the bible or to separate hours, minutes, and seconds.

Example: John 1:21                   09:25:12

4.  Semicolon (;) Use a semicolon to join related independent clauses in compound sentences.

Example: Jim worked hard to earn his degree; consequently, he was certain to achieve a distinction.

Jane overslept by three hours; she was going to be late for work again.

4.  Semicolon (;) used to separate items in a series if the elements of the series already include commas. Example:

Members of the band include Harold Rostein, clarinetist; Tony Cruz, tuba player; and Lee Jones, trumpeter.

3.  Apostrophe ( ’) to form possessives of nouns.

Example: the boy’s hat              three day’s journey     

> to show the omission of letters.

Example: He’ll go = He will go               could’ve = could have

Ø  to form plurals.    Example: Mind your p’s and q’s.

2.  Parentheses ( )

occasionally and sparingly used for extra, non-essential material included in a sentence.

Example: Before arriving at the station, the old train (someone said it was a relic of ancient days) caught fire.

1.  Hyphen or dash (-)

Use a hyphen to join two or more words serving as a single adjective before a noun

Example: chocolate-covered peanuts               Two-storey house

1.  Hyphen or dash (-)   Use a hyphen with compound numbers.

Example: Forty-five   Sixty-two

1.  Hyphen or dash (-)

Use a hyphen with the prefixes ex- (meaning former), self-, all-; with the suffix -elect; between a prefix and a capitalized word; and with figures or letters.

Example:   ex-husband      T-shirt

1.  Hyphen or dash (-)

Use the dash to emphasize a point or to set off an explanatory comment; but don’t overuse dashes, or they will lose their impact; typically represented on a computer by two hyphens with no spaces before, after, or between the hyphens

Example: To some of you, my proposals may seem radical--even revolutionary.

1.  Hyphen or dash (-)   used for an appositive phrase that already includes commas.

Example: The boys–Jim, John, and Jeff–left the party early.