Text as Connected Discourse

Text
Is a large unit of written language. It is actually connected discourse.
A text will not be a text unless it’s written. A text can only be considered if
it is written.
Discourse
Is an expression of ideas. The use of words to exchange thoughts and
ideas. We use text as a form of discourse in order for us to convey our
feelings, thoughts, and ideas.

Analyze this Example!

Alex is no stranger to poverty.
Alex passed the highly competitive college admission test of a respected
university.
Studying hard became Alex’s routine, and despite his being poor, he
made sure to maximize the university’s resources.
Inspired by his friends, Alex worked on joining the National Chemical
Engineering Quiz Bowl as representative of his university.
Alex will graduate with the university’s highest academic achievement.
Alex says that while it sounds cliché, he really wants to give back to the
Philippines. Almost five years later, Alex has become one of the premier
chemists.

Therefore, the text is connected discourse because it is a group of ideas

put together to make a point or one central idea.
Text has a structure which requires the ideas in the discourse to be
relevant to each other.
The author connected each idea to the others so that the reader will be
able to understand the main point in the text.

Properties of a Well-Written Text

Organization
 Organization refers to the arrangement of ideas in a text.
 You can easily follow good organization when you create an outline
of your ideas before you start.
 Outlining ideas are important.
 Outline- is like the skeleton of the human body.
-This helps the readers to see which of your ideas are the major
parts and which ones are the minor parts.
-It distinguishes the general ideas from the specific or subordinating
ideas.
-Just the structure
- Philippines, Manila, Asia, Recto - Asia, Philippines, Manila, Recto
Sentence outline- whole sentence is written
Topic outline- words and phrases only

Coherence and Cohesion (Discourse Markers)

 Coherence and Cohesion refers to the connection of ideas and
connection between sentences and between paragraphs.
 In order for you to assure coherence and cohesion, you need to use
transitional cohesive devices.
 Transitional devices- are used to link or glue together the ideas in a
text.
 Types of Transitional Devices
Comparing Ideas
-As with, equally, in like manner, in the same way, just as, like, likewise,
similarly
-Look in the similarity; linking of two sentences
Examples:
My parents are together and closer than ever. In the same way, I also feel
closer to both of them.
Grateful to him, she was likewise anxious to leave the island.

Contrasting Ideas
-Although, but, despite, however, in spite of, instead, nevertheless,
nonetheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, though, whereas, while,
yet
-Contradicts/ opposite ideas in the sentence/s.
Examples:
In spite of what he did, you want to stay with him.
It was early, yet we were all ready for bed after our long hike.
She was loud and obnoxious; nevertheless, I found her fun to be around.

Stating Reason or Cause

-Because, because of, for, insofar as, since
-It answers the question ‘why’
Examples:
Insofar as I know, there are no other complications for obtaining the
building permit.
She put on a sweater, for it was cold outside.

Stating a Result of Effect

-Accordingly, as a consequence, as a result, because of this, consequently,
due to, for this reason, hence, so, then, therefore, thus
-It answers the question ‘what’
-It is the result or the consequences.
Examples:
Many projects fail due to organization’s inability to administer the wide
range of funds available
He was the tallest one there and thus the one they asked to hanged the
decorations.
She didn’t like the pudding; consequently, she threw it all away.

Adding Ideas
-And, along with, also, as well as, besides, furthermore, in addition,
moreover, next, not, only…but also, too
Examples
Katie piled the potatoes in another pan and picked it up, along with the
knife of a bag of peals.
Cycling to work is quicker that driving. Furthermore, it’s a lot cheaper
And is better exercise.

Giving Emphasis
-Above all, as a matter of fact, especially, indeed, in fact, In particular
-You want your reader to focus
Examples:
Social services departments must accept, above all, the role of the
parents.
The heatwave was forecast to end soon and, indeed, it was raining the
very next dat.

Expressing Condition
-as long as, if, even if, only if, provided that, so long as, unless
Examples:
You will pass the test as long as you study hard.
I won’t pay unless you provide the goods immediately.

Introducing an Example, Illustration, or Explanation

-For example, for instance, in so far as, in the case of, illustrated by, such
as.
Examples:
In case of breakdown, please press the alarm button and call this number.
You cannot rely on her; for instance, she arrived an hour late for an
important meeting yesterday.

Summarizing or Making a Conclusion

-Finally, in conclusion, in closing, in short, in summary, on the whole, to
summarize
Examples:
But on the whole, the general reception will be very thankful for what he
did at Chelsea.
Finally, he glanced up and met her questioning gaze.
Showing sequence
-After, before, first (second, third…), in the first place, meanwhile,
subsequently, then
Examples;
I doubt I can convince him. In the first place, he didn’t consider this home.
He subsequently wrote an account of his experiences.

Appropriate Language Use

 Appropriate language use refers to the acceptable style of language
for a particular form of text.
 Example: Business correspondences, style must be concise and formal.
 Example: Literary pieces, style may be less formal and more creative.

Proper Mechanics
Mechanics refers to the conventions of writing which includes
capitalization, punctuation, spelling, numerals, abbreviations, acronyms,
and contractions.
Mechanics error vs. Grammatical error: possessive pronoun “it’s” and
plural form of “cat’s”