This document discusses the key properties of well-written text: organization, coherence, and cohesion. It defines each property and provides examples. Organization refers to how a text is logically structured, such as through formatting, signal words, and having a clear beginning, middle, and end. Coherence means ideas are logically sequenced, while cohesion means a central concept links all ideas. The document also covers language use, mechanics of spelling, punctuation and capitalization that writers should consider to effectively communicate.

1. READING AND WRITING
2ND SEMESTER
LESSON 2: PROPERTIES OF WELL-WRITTEN TEXT
SHS
Department

2. READING AND WRITING
2nd SEMESTER
LESSON 2: PROPERTIES OF
WELL-WRITTEN TEXT
Prepared by: CRISTINA F. GRUMAL

3. LET’S WARM UP!
What is a
well-written
text?

4. For a text to be well-written, one must
keep in mind these three properties:
 Organization - this is the structural framework for writing. It is
important to effective writing because it provides readers with a
framework to help them fulfil their expectations for the text. This is the
logical progression and completeness of ideas in a text. Organization
is achieved when ideas are logically and accurately arranged.
 Coherence – by coherence we mean that every part of a composition
must contribute to one main unifying thought, which means that the
various parts of a text must follow one another in an order which
makes their relationship clear.
 Cohesion - means that the overall text has meaning.

5. A. TEXT ORGANIZATION
Text organization is the way a text is organized that
helps to guide the reader logically through it. This
property makes a text readable and its message
clear. Organization can be achieved through the
following techniques:

 Physical format
 Signal words
 Structure

6. A.1 Physical Format
 The format is an aspect of the organization that is immediately
apparent to the reader. It is seen in how the text physically
appears like headings and subheadings, bullet points or font
emphasis. However, use this technique with discretion as
improperor superfluous formatting can be confusing.
 Example:
 Marxist ideology has three main theories. Historical
materialism purports that all the features of society can
historically be traced back to economic activity. Social class in
capitalist societies is what produces unjust structures of power
that exist today. Socialism would be the next rational step for the
development of human society.

7. A.2 Signal Words
 Signal words are textual cues that readers can use to follow a
text. They can “signal” the transition from one point to another,
the ordering of events and concepts, or the writer’s chosen text
type (e.g., linear narration, question and answer.
 Example:
 Chuck Palahniuk’s novel Fight Club greatly influenced me as a fictional writer.
First, his use of the unreliable narrator fascinated me, and I have written similar
characters in my works. Second, the theme of patriarchal oppression can also be
found in the stories I write. Third, the novel’s stunning twist is something that I have
been trying to recreate. Thus, I am extremely grateful to have encountered
Palahniuk’sgenius early in my writing career.

8. A.3Structure
 The structure provides the framework upon which the text is organized. It
consistsof the following:

 Beginning: introduction, thesis statement, hook
 Middle: supporting details
 End: conclusion, summary, final message

 Example:
 Ancient philosophies believe that a person has an “aura,” this appears as a
rainbow of light around the body that can be seen by individuals with clairvoyant
abilities. The colors change depending on one’s mood, health, and thoughts. Some
scientists believe that the existence of the aura has something to do with the
electromagnetic fields produced by cells and tissues in the human body. Whether
auras are real or not, the fact remains that there are forces everywhere that are real
even though we cannot see them.

9. B. Coherence and Cohesion
 by coherence we mean that every part of a composition must
contribute to one main unifying thought, which means that the
various parts of a text must follow one another in an order
which makes their relationship clear. On the other hand,
cohesion means that the overall text has meaning.
A text with coherence has ideas that are logically
sequenced in a way that is easy to follow for the reader.
Although without cohesion, no central concept links all these
ideas together. The main point of the text remains unclear for
readers.

10.  Example:

My favorite painting is “The Weeping Woman” by Pablo
Picasso, which is an intriguing painting that symbolizes
suffering. As a result, I love bright primary colors, so I wear
a lot of shocking yellows, blues, and reds. Also, as an
outgoing person, I enjoy performing for large crowds. In
the end, people should not judge an artist’s talent based
on one standard

11.  Cohesion and Coherence
 A text with both cohesion and
coherence has a central concept
linking all the ideas in the text, and
these ideas are presented in a logical
manner. The main point is clear, and the
text is easy to follow and understand.


12.  Example:
International Women’s Day is celebrated on the 8th of
March of every year. It began as a Socialist political
event in several Western countries. Then, other
countries also started celebrating the holiday just as a
way to express their love for women. Currently, the
United Nations observes the holiday as a way to bring to
light women’s issues around the world.

13. LESSON 2.1 Language Use and Mechanics
 Language Use – refers to the appropriateness of
word/vocabulary use.
 An effective language is specific, concise, familiar, correct and
appropriate.
 It is important that you make good choices when it comes to
language use because how you use language affects the tone of
the text and the readers’ interpretation of it. Before writing, you
have to think about and consider your target audience.

 Determine when it is appropriate to use formal language
or when informal language is acceptable.

14.  Informal language is usually used in writing for oneself or in writing to
family, friends, and colleagues. On the other hand, formal language is
used in writing academic, business, and official texts.
 Examples:
 We asked the secretary to call the professor and get her permission
for us tocontinue our research.
 We requested that the secretary contact the professor and obtain her
permissionfor us to continue our research.
 You should also be sensitive enough to use unbiased language so
that you will not offend any individual or any particular group of
people. Unbiased language is language that is free of racial bias, free of
religious bias, and free of gender bias.
 Examples:
 A teacher should make it a point to motivate her students.
 Teachers should make it a point to motivate their students

15.  Misused Words
 A writer might sometimes use a word incorrectly, and this occurs
when the word does not mean what he or she thinks it does. So, it is
important to be certain of the definition of a word before using it;
this often happens with words that sound or look alike.
 Words with Unwanted Connotations
 There are words that take on a meaning specific to a context.
Some writers might not be aware of these connotations, so they end
up using language that is unintentionally confusing, comical or even
offensive to readers.
 Example:
 The coast guard salvaged Priscilla and her sister after their fishing
boat was damaged in the storm.

16.  Technical or Highfalutin Words
 Writers want to sound smart by using words that
are very technical or have deep meanings. Though
some writing genres require the use of such words,
writers should still be careful about using them
since they make readers work harder to understand
texts.

Example:
 There is an ongoing discourse about the
antidisestablishment assemblage and the
administrative political body.

17. Mechanics -
refers to a set of conventions on how to spell,
abbreviate, punctuate and capitalize.
Mechanics are conventions that have to be
considered in writing. Some of these
conventions are spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization. It is important to know and
observe these conventions in writing to avoid
confusion

18.  Spelling
 When you write, always make sure that you are consistently
using one standard with regard to the spelling of your words.
Remember that there are slight differences in American English
spelling and British English spelling.
 Punctuation
 Punctuation is the act of using a system of symbols such as the
comma, period, quotation marks, question marks, etc. that are used
to give structure to and organize a text. The use of punctuation
guides the reader regarding how the text should be read.
 Examples:

 I love to paint portraits I would paint one every day if I had the time
 I love to paint portraits. I would paint one every day if I had the time.
 This book is dedicated to my parents, Noel and Corazon.
 This book is dedicated to my parents, Noel, and Corazon.

19.  Capitalization
 Capitalization is the act of writing the first letter of a word in uppercase while the rest of the
letters are in lowercase. There are rules in capitalization that one has to remember. Below are
a few examples of words that require capitalization:
 proper nouns
 Alex, Manila
 proper adjectives
 Canadian
 days of the week
 Sunday
 months of the year
 January
 specific course titles
 Theater 101
kinship names used in place of personal names and are followed by personal names
Grandma, Dad, Aunt Paz, Uncle Alvin
• adjectives, verbs, adverbs, nouns, and pronouns in a title and the first and last word in a title
Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There (literature)
• historical periods, events, documents
Great Depression, the Renaissance, the Constitution