SOLOMON P.

LOZADA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

WEEKLY LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET, QUARTER 3 – WEEK 2
READING AND WRITING

Cont. Compare and Contrast patterns of Written Texts across Disciplines

Learning Competency:
Compare and contrast patterns of written texts across discipline

Learning Objectives:
 Identify the following written text across disciplines:
o Comparison & Contrast
o Cause and Effect
o Problem-Solution
o Persuasion;
 Compare and contrast patterns of written texts across disciplines:
o Comparison & Contrast
o Cause and Effect
o Problem-Solution
o Persuasion; and
 Give importance to the following texts by writing persuasive essay.

Time Frame: 5 hours

Key Concepts

 A comparison tells how two things are similar. A contrast tells how they are different.
 A paragraph developed by comparison and contrast has a unifying idea or purpose of
attempting to weigh decisions between two ideas or subjects.
 A comparison and contrast paragraph must be balanced in such a way that there is an
equal amount of information for each subject to avoid bias.

There are two ways in writing a comparison and contrast paragraph.

1. Subject – by - Subject Method. You present all of the facts and supporting details
about one topic , and then you give all the facts and supporting details about the
other topic.
2. Point – by - Point Arrangement. You discuss each point for both subjects before
giving on the next point.

 A cause is what makes a particular thing happen.

 An effect is what results from a particular situation, activity, or behavior.
 A paragraph developed by causal analysis must not only raise the question
why, but also give answers to the satisfaction of the reader.

Cause and Effect paragraphs are written for the following purposes:
 to discuss why a certain phenomenon  to understand a situation
occurs  to solve a problem
 to discuss the results of a  to predict an outcome
phenomenon, event, feeling or action  to entertain
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  to persuade
 For  For this reason
Some of the signal  Because  As a result
words used in this type  Since  Consequently
of paragraphs are the  Due to  Otherwise
following:  So  Therefore
 But  Thu
 In composition writing, problem-solution is a method for analyzing and
writing about a topic by identifying a problem and proposing one or more
solutions.
 Problem-solution paragraphs as the term implies, presents and identifies
a problem and proposes possible solution/s.

In composing this type of essay, you must present an argument or stand and support it with
reliable evidence in order to persuade the readers to make a particular move or action (Kemper
et.al, 2016).
According to Soles (2010), topics for problem-solution essays “are typically framed in the
form of questions.” Problem-solution essay can provide answers to 5W and 1H (who, what, when,
where, why, and how) questions. Soles (2010) added that this type of essay has essentially two
parts: “a full explanation of the nature of the problem, followed by an analysis of solutions and their
likelihood of success.”

Structure of paragraphs in a problem-solution essay:

Nordquist (1995) suggested the following structure of a problem-solution paper that may
serve as a guide on what to include in this type of essay:
1. Introduction. At the forefront of the essay, the introduction must serve to capture the
reader’s attention. This may contain the thesis statement wherein the problem or topic at
hand is presented. This is where the problem is defined, and the reason why it is
significant to a specific group of people (or the target audience).
2. Problem Paragraph. This paragraph/s will dwell on the elaboration of the problem,
effectively conveying the importance of a solution. You may present reliable sources and
evidence to support your stand.
3. Solution Paragraph. Present and describe a concrete solution to the problem. Explain
how this solution is better than other probable solutions.
4. Conclusion. Conclude the essay with connection between the problem and its proposed
solution.
 A persuasive paragraph tries to convince the reader that a particular point of view is
worthy of consideration. It wants you to consider both sides of an issue, but it reveals a
bias in favor of one side over another.
 A persuasive paragraph intends to convince readers to do or believe in something.
 Knowing how to write a persuasive paragraph allows you to express your personal
conviction or opinion about an issue or topic and make the readers agree with or adopt
your conviction or opinion.

Much like problem-solution essays, persuasion essays seek to urge readers to take a
particular action (Forlini, et.al, 1990). The main goal of persuasive essays is to convince the
reader to agree to the writer’s opinion or at the very least, take it into serious consideration.

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 According to Forlini (1990), “the purpose of persuasive writing is to obtain the reader’s
agreement on a matter of opinion.”
The statements given in persuasive essays are heavy on opinion while based on facts. The
opinions of the writer must be (a) controversial enough or something that would inspire
conversation and debate, (b) significant and interesting, and (c) supported by evidence. (Forlini,
1990).
It is also vital that in order to prove your stand, you must thoroughly research about the
issue you are about to discuss. Make a list of your strongest arguments composed of facts and
data. Introduce a new reason or fact with every paragraph.

Some of the transitional expressions used in persuasive paragraphs are the following:
ANSWER THE
GIVE REASONS DRAW CONCLUSION
OPPOSITION
First (second, third, etc.) Of course Therefore
Another, Next Some may say Thus
Last, finally Nevertheless Hence
Because, since, for On the other hand Consequently
Although

General Insights

 A paragraph is a collection of related sentences with one central idea.

Each sentence shows connection to other sentences in the paragraph.
 A paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting details, and a clinching
sentence.
 There are many ways of developing a paragraph, such as: narration,
description, definition, classification, comparison and contrast,
cause and effect, problem-solution and persuasion.

Exercises

Activity 1. Directions: Write sentences by comparing and contrasting the given pictures below.
1. Classroom Laboratory

(sign & symbol by www.freepik.com)

Similarities: ____________________________________________________
Differences: ____________________________________________________

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 2. Computer Calculator

(sign& symbol by www.freepik.com)

Similarities: ____________________________________________________
Differences: ____________________________________________________

Activity 2. Directions: Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
The Influence of Video Games to Children
Video games have been a part of children’s life for the past few decades. It all started when
Atari came up with its first gaming consul, which included a very simple game of tennis. The
controller had just 1 stick and 1 button to play with. Now, we have many different types of consuls
available in the market with very complex games that requires controllers with two or more sticks
and a variety of buttons. Video games are almost second nature to the modern children and they
are more comfortable playing them. Playing video games can have many different effects (both
positive as well as negative) on children. Some of this effects include increasing hand eye
coordination and increasing dexterity mental skills; a decrease interest in other interest such as
studies and sports ; and a very negative effect of inducing violence.
One of the most positive effects of video games is increasing the dexterity of a child and
improving his or her hand eye coordination. As mentioned earlier, the new video games that are
coming out are extremely complex and they involve the movement of many different kinds of sticks
and buttons on the controllers. These can be very good for children as they learn to make the fast
connections between what they see and what their hands and fingers are doing. This allows them
to think quickly and improves their reflexes. The newest games are very precision-based and it
takes very minute and accurate movements for the children to control the characters. This helps in
making the children much more a depth at handling and operating real-life machinery and
objectives.
Another effect that playing video games have on children is that they tend to get addicted to
playing this games and give them foremost priority. This takes the children away from their other
responsibilities, such as doing house chores, homework, and other physical activities. Children
also end at spending more time playing video games in front of television screens than playing
real and actual sports that involve physical exercise. This in turn can have many health related
problems for children, as they can get obese if they don’t exercise ad stay home playing video
games. This is perhaps the worst negative effect that video games can have on children. Parents
and educators all over the world are concern about this phenomenon and they are urging the
children to not spend so much time playing video games. Many new video games consuls, such

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as the new Nintendo WII have come out with games that require users to actually get up and
move.
Many researchers have talked about the effects of viewing violence in the media and how it
affects children. Video games take this to another level, where the children are actually
participating in being violent in the video games. There are many games out there that allow
children to play arm bearing characters who can kill anyone that they want, steal cars, and commit
many different kinds of crime. These games can have negative implications on the children as
they get immune to the idea of committing crime and end up believing that it is alright. Research is
still on going on this negative effect and it has not entirely been proven or disproven as of yet.
We find that plain video games can have various effects on children, both positive as well as
negative. Even though children can benefit by increasing their dexterity and improving their
reflexes, the cost of them losing out on their physical exercise and homework, as well as their
becoming prone to violent acts, are way too much. It is important that the parents and educators
take up this problem seriously and enable certain rules and regulations that allow children to divide
their time responsively between playing video games and completing their studies and other
responsibilities. (Source: www.tailoredessays.com/samples/video-games-affect-children-essay.htm)

Comprehension Questions
1. Why are video games popular with children?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

2. What are the positive effects of playing video games?

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

3. What are the negative effects of playing video games?

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Activity 3. Directions: Read the passage below and complete the graphic organizer that follows.
Deforestation is a serious problem because it destroys forests—and forests and trees are
not just pretty to look at, they do an important job making the earth´s environment suitable for life.
They clean the air, store water, preserve oil, and provide homes for animals. They also supply
food, fuel, wood products, and paper products for humans. In the past fifty years, more than half of
the world´s rainforests have been destroyed.
Today, all around the world, deforestation continues, the world´s climate may change,
floods may become more common, and animals will die. One solution to the problem of
deforestation is to use less paper. If you use less paper, fewer trees will be cut for paper making.
How can you use less paper? One answer is to reduce your paper use by using both sides of the
paper when you photocopy, write a letter, or write an essay. A second answer is to reuse old
paper when you can, rather than using a new sheet of paper. The backs of old envelopes are
perfect for shopping list or phone messages, and when you write a rough draft of an essay, write it
on the back of something else. A final answer is to recycle used paper products instead of

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throwing them away. Most schools, offices, and districts have some kind of recycling center. If you
follow "the three Rs"- reduce, reuse, and recycle-you can help save the world´s forest.

Use the figure above

as your guide

Activity 4. Directions: Write a persuasive essay with the topic “I Changed My _________”.
(e.g. lifestyle, attitude, priorities, eating habits, mind, etc.). Devote your attention to the cause of
your change and its effects.

Your paragraph will be rated based on the rubric below. You may write your paragraph on the
space provided.

Criteria Performance Indicators Points Score

Complete and thoughtful explanation of ideas 5
CONTENT Strong organization and structure 3
Vivid supporting details included 3
Written in complete sentence 2
MECHANICS Correct and appropriate grammar,
2
punctuation, spelling, etc.
Total 15

I CHANGED MY ____________________

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.

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References
Farahzad, F. &Emman. A., (2010). Reading-writing connections in EAP courses:
Implications and applications. Journal of Language Teaching and Research,
Vol. 1, No. 5, pp. 596-604, September 2010. doi:10.4304/jltr.1.5.596-604.

Geva (2012). Genetic differences and school readiness [Electronic version].

The Future of Children, 15, 55-69.

Gomez, N. L., & Briggs, C. (2012). Reciprocity between Reading and Writing:
Strategic Processing as Common Ground. Reading Teacher, 64(7), 546-549.
Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=ec1c4
512-698d-403c-885b-d1153b77fca1%40sessionmgr110&vid=2&hid=104 on April 30,
2013

Gunning, T. (2010). Assessing and Correcting Reading and Writing Difficulties.

Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Gabelo , N, &Geron , C. et al. , ( 2016 ) . Reading and writing Connection for the 21 stCentuty
Learners for Senior High School. Mutya Publishing House, Inc.

Goita , M. (1995) . Basic English Skills and the Effective Paragraph. CAP College Self
Learning Series.

Havola, L. (n.d.). Summarization: Integrating reading and writing. Institute for

EducationResearch.Retrievedfromhttps://www.jyu.fi/hum/laitokset/solki/afinla/

Answers Key

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