Reading and Writing Quarter 3 – Activity
there was a bolt of lightning split the sky.
Sheet 4: Mechanics in Writing
Name: ________________________________
Grade & Section: _______________________
A well-organized piece of writing is not only clear but
also logical and aesthetic. In writing, you need tools
(mechanics) to enhance the communication process to
properly deliver the message.
MELCS: Evaluate a written text based on its properties
(mechanics)
In this module, you are expected to:
1. find out the rules in mechanics;
2. identify the errors in a text; and
3. apply the mechanics in writing.
Proper punctuation, capitalization, and other italics
needed are tools in writing and this is what we call as
mechanics in writing. The technical aspect of writing
which is mechanics is one of the properties of a written
text.
The goal of mechanics of writing is to make the writing
precise. If the writing is precise, it means that it follows
correct spelling, punctuation, italics, and so on.
Mechanics in Writing
A. Punctuation
1. Comma
a. Use a comma to separate items in a series. A series
is made up of three or more nouns, verbs, modifiers, or
phrases.
Examples:
 Oral Communication, EAPP, and 21st Century
Literature are core subjects in the Senior High School
b. Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives.
Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that
equally modify the same noun.
Example:
 The asymptomatic, COVID-19 positive patient, was
rushed to the hospital.
c. Use a comma to separate long clauses joined by
conjunctions such as by, and, but, or, for, yet, and so;
although it is omitted if the clauses are short.
Example:
 Last week was my sister’s wedding, so I prepared to
go to the salon for my haircut.
d. Use commas after introductory clauses, phrases, or
words that come before the main clause.
Example:
 While I was waiting for the rain to subside, suddenly
e. Set off introductory elements (words that introduce a
sentence with a comma). Common introductory
phrases are participial and infinitive phrases, absolute
phrases, nonessential appositive phrases, and long
prepositional phrases of four or more words.
Examples:
 Being on time, I have received an incentive from my
boss. (participial phrase)
 To travel outside the region, you need to secure
necessary documents. (infinitive phrase)
 Ms. Rodriguez, who wrote many English books, was
one of my favorite teachers. (appositive phrase)
f. Use commas to set off dates (except the month and
day), geographical names, items in dates (except the
month and day), addresses (except the street number
and name), and titles in names.
Examples:
 Kadayawan festival is celebrated in August.
 On March 31, 2011, Panabo became a city.
 Joseph Cruz, Ed.D, is our newly-elected P.T.A
President
2. Semicolon
a. Use a semicolon when you link two independent
clauses with no connecting words.
Example:  I am excited to go home; I wanted to stay
there for good.
b. Use a semicolon when joining two independent
clauses together with one of the following conjunctive
adverbs (adverbs that join independent clauses):
however, moreover, therefore, consequently, otherwise,
nevertheless, thus, etc.
Example:  I am excited to go home; moreover, I
wanted to stay there for good.
3. Colon
a. Use a colon for separating chapter from verse in
Bible reference, separating volume from page in
bibliography reference, writing a salutatory greeting in
professional writing and giving the time.
Example:  My favorite verse is Psalm 23:1.
 Majority of the references that I cited were taken from
the Academic Journal 11:23 (volume 11, page 23)
b. Use a colon to introduce a formal list.
Example:  Three things I have accomplished today:
answered modules, emailed documents, and
researched enrichment activities.
B. Capitalization
1. Always capitalize the first word in a sentence.
Example:  Davao region is located on the southeastern
portion of Mindanao.
2. Capitalize proper nouns and adjectives.
Example:  The Davao Crocodile Park is a must-see
destination in Davao City.
3. Capitalize the pronoun I and the interjection O.
Example:  O God, I thank you.
4. Capitalize professional titles when used before a
personal name.
Example:  General Cedron was arrested for alleged
graft.
5. Capitalize academic titles and their abbreviations
when they follow a personal name.
Example:  Noemi Pales, M.D
6. Capitalize brand names
Example:  My dream car is a Toyota Fortuner.
7. Capitalize the first word in a letter’s greeting or close.
Example:  Sincerely yours,
8. Capitalize the days of the week, months of the year,
and holidays.
Example:  The opening of classes is in October.
 I always prepare gifts for Christmas.
C. Spelling
Many learners believe that spelling needs a lot of
memorization. American English has a spelling
variation compared to British English. For example:
American English British English
Learned learnt
Organize organise
Notice that in the Philippine educational system, we
follow American English.
Here are some spelling strategies to remember:
a. Some spellings can be remembered by learning a
rule (e.g. “I” before “e”).
b. You need to learn the phonetic properties so you can
spell correctly.
c. Breaking the word into syllables or smaller sections is
one way to learn how to spell
d. Other words do not generally follow the spelling
patterns but learning continuously will get you to
familiarize uncommon words.
D. Abbreviation
Abbreviations allow writers to shorten long words and
phrases and be more concise in writing. If abbreviations
are not used correctly, readers will not recognize them
Here are some rules:
a. Only abbreviate well-known terms. e.g. TV for
television
b. Abbreviations that use capital letters are called
initialisms. It is required to put a period after each letter.
e.g. M.D
c. In formal writing, it is recommended not to abbreviate
the dates only if needed, especially when used in tables
or charts e.g. Mon., Oct. 5
d. Latin abbreviations should not be capitalized. e.g. –
means “for example” i.e. - means “that is”, “in other
words”
Activity 1: (Write your answers on intermediate paper)
Fill My Heart Completely
The following sentences have no proper punctuation,
capitalization, and italics. Rewrite them on the blanks
provided. The first one is done for you.
1. I looked for Loida my best friend.
I looked for Loida, my best friend.
2. Mr Mendoza the new principal announced the
awards.
____________________________________________
______________________
3. Talking about the present economy, financial analyst
Jeremy Sopko said You have to take into account two
huge factors massive student loan debt and a lack of
available work.
____________________________________________
_______________________
4. Living with parents I have a hard time adjusting as
they have different way of disciplining my children.
____________________________________________
_______________________
5. April 2 2019 was unforgettable for me because it
was my graduation day.
____________________________________________
_______________________
6. The Pusan Point, which offers breathtaking view is
seen as one of the most visited destinations in Davao
Oriental.
____________________________________________
_______________________
7. Davao Region comprises 5 provinces Davao de Oro,
Davao OrientaL, Davao Del Sur, Davao del norte and
Davao Occidental.
____________________________________________
_______________________
8. Every time I pass by Davao Del Norte the banana
capital of the Philipines, I could help myself but to
reminisce my elementary days.
____________________________________________
_______________________
9. Laak, a town which is eighty three point forty eight
kilometers from the capital of Nabunturan, has a yearly
festival called Kahimonan Festival
____________________________________________
_______________________
10. Mr Tony Rodriguez Sr is named after him; He is
Tony Rodriguez Jr.
____________________________________________
______________________
PARALLEL ASSESSMENT (Write your answers on an
A4 size bond paper)
WRITTEN WORK
Activity 2: I Am-Choosy
Identify if the sentences below are correct or incorrect
based on the mechanics of writing. If the sentence is
correct, write C, if incorrect write IC on your answer
sheet. The first one is done for you.
A. Punctuation
____1. Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines, is
found in Davao Region.
____2. These are my top favorite places in Davao:
Samal Island, Eden’s Park and Davao Crocodile
Park
____3. Finally, I can receive my first bonus in
December 25, 2020.
____4. I did not finish reading the whole text instead I
play my games on my phone.
____5. I like to use the semicolon: it is my favorite
punctuation mark
B. Capitalization
_____6. I thank you, Lord for Your mercy.
_____7. My classmate, joy, is truly a joy to me.
_____8. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe officially
resigned due to health reasons.
_____9. When the pandemic crisis ends, I will go to
Aguakan in Summer. _______________________________
C. Spelling Signature of Parent over Printed Name
_____10. Millenials spend most of their time
texting.
_____11. Due to the increasing number of COVID- Prepared by:
19 cases, some hospitals cannot accommodate
new patients.
_____12. I cannot believe what I have achieved JANICE F. JURANES, MAED
working in the concierge area. English Teacher
D. Abbreviation
_____13. (IATA) has warned governments they
must start planning for the "mission of
the century". References
Jessi S. Barrot, Academic Reading & Writing for Senior High School: C & E
_____14. Pres. Duterte said, “We did not have any Publishing, 2016, 110-113
obligation at all to lie”. Nerissa C. Gabelo et. Al., Reading-Writing: THE EFFECTIVE CONNECTION for
_____15. Davao Region experienced terrible Senior High School Malabon:Mutya Publishing House, Inc.2016,84-93
earthquake last Oct, 2019. Rija Hussain. Learn how to spell in two weeks Jan 19, 2014
https://www.scribd.com/document/200691390/Spelling-Rule
PERFORMANCE TASK The writing Process https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/index.html
Activity 4: Judgmental-be-like
Read the texts below. Rewrite it on your answer sheet.
Add the necessary punctuation and capitalization.
Text
a period punctuation mark in American english is
called full stop in british english. as language
evolves, one report says a period is “intimidating”
especially to millennials. many of them don’t use
punctuation marks. they feel quite annoyed to use a
period. A journalist wrte that a period is not necesary
in text messages unless it needs emphasis