READING AND WRITING SKILLS

Understanding Text and Its Properties

*ANSWER ONLY THE ITEMS THAT ARE MARKED WITH A STAR

PRETEST

MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE: Read the following statements. Write TRUE if the statement is
correct and if it is false CHANGE the underlined word in each item to make the statement
correct. Answer on a sheet of yellow paper.
________ 1. A physical format is an aspect of the organization that is immediately apparent to the
reader.
________ 2. Signal words are textual cues that can be a way to follow a certain text.
________ 3. Structure provides steps to organize or sequence a certain text.
________ 4. Text organization is a way a text is organized to guide a reader logically through it.
________ 5. Organization can be achieved through various text properties.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION :
WHAT IS A TEXT ORGANIZATION?
Text organization deals with how a text is organized to help readers follow and understand
the flow of information and ideas cascaded. There are a number of standard forms that help
text organization when writing. This text organization also assists readers logically in
grasping a particular text.

KINDS OF TEXT ORGANIZATION

Physical It is how the text physically appears. Explanation:
Format Example:
In order to better understand what motivates human The words that are
(It is how beings, Maslow proposed that human needs can be written in bold are
the text organized into a hierarchy. This hierarchy ranges from examples of
physically more concrete needs such as food and water to Maslow’s Hierarchy of
appears) abstract concepts such as self-fulfillment. According Needs that the first
to Maslow, when a lower need is met, the next need
sentence is referring to.
on the hierarchy becomes our focus of attention.
By stressing these
These are the five categories of needs according to
Maslow: words, the reader can
Physiological, this refers to basic physical needs like distinguish the right
drinking when thirsty or eating when hungry. Safety, term for the concepts
once people’s physiological requirements are met, the along with their
next need that arises is a safe environment. Love and definitions; this would
Belonging, according to Maslow, the next need in the also help readers in
hierarchy involves feeling loved and accepted. This
remembering the
need includes both romantic relationships as well as
ties to friends and family members. needs since they stick
out from the rest of the
text.
Signal Example:
Words First, dissolve a package of yeast and one Explanation:
(The cue in teaspoon of sugar in 1 cup of warm water. Add ¼
ordering cup of canola oil and a dash of salt. Slowly stir in 3½ By using sequential
of events cups of flour. A soft dough will form. Meanwhile, pre- signal words, readers
and heat the oven to 450° F. Then transfer the dough to a are guided on what
concepts) floured surface and knead it until it becomes smooth comes next and what
and elastic. Put it in a bowl, cover, and set the bowl in will be the next
 a warm place. In about 45 minutes, it will double. sequence.
Example:
Structure A hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow Explanation:
pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: "Though
(The you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race." The It clearly manifested the
complete Hare, believing her assertion to be simply impossible, beginning, middle and
assented to the proposal; and they agreed that the ending.
framework
Fox should choose the course and fix the goal. On the
of the text.
day appointed for the race the two started together.
The The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went
structure on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of
provides the course. The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell
the fast asleep. At last waking up, and moving as fast as
framework he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal,
upon which and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.
the text is
organized.
It consists
of
beginning,
middle and
end)

Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/KatrinaClaireLandich/properties-of-a-well-written-

text-. 14 July 2020

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1: LET’S TRY! Identify whether the statement in each item below denotes a text
organization. Write PF if it is PHYSICAL FORMAT, SW if it is SIGNAL WORD and S if it is
STRUCTURE. Continue using your yellow sheet of paper.

__________ 1. A traveler about to set out on a journey saw his Dog stand at the door
stretching himself. He asked him sharply: "Why do you stand there gaping? Everything is
ready but you, so come with me instantly." The Dog, wagging his tail, replied: "O, master! I
am quite ready; it is you for whom I am waiting."

__________ 2. Next, press half the dough onto a greased 12” pizza pan. Now you must decide if
you want to make a savory pizza or a sweet pizza. For a savory pizza, spread the dough with
tomato sauce. Add banana slices and top with curry powder.

__________ 3. The study of personality has a broad and varied history in psychology with an
abundance of theoretical traditions. The major theories include dispositional (trait)
perspective, psychodynamic, humanistic, biological, behaviorist, evolutionary, and social
learning perspective.

__________ 4. A kite, sick unto death, said to his mother: "O Mother! do not mourn, but at once
invoke the gods that my life may be prolonged." She replied, "Alas! my son, which of the
gods do you think will pity you? Is there one whom you have not outraged by filching from
their very altars, a part of the sacrifice offered up to them?"

__________ 5. There are five love languages: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving
Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch. Each one is important and expresses love in its own
way. Learning your partner's and your own primary love language will help create a stronger
bond in your relationship.

POST TEST
A. MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE Read the following statements. Write TRUE if the statement is
correct and if it is false CHANGE the underlined word in each item to make the statement
correct. Continue using your yellow sheet of paper.
________ 1. Every sentence has a physical format.
________2. Words and phrases that show the connection between ideas are examples of signal
words.
________ 3. Identifying the framework of a certain text is an example of structural analysis.
________ 4. Using kinds of dictionary, readers logically understand a certain text.
________ 5. Text can be understood by considering various text organization.

Lesson 4 Arrangement of details

PRETEST :
A. MATCH COLUMN A WITH COLUMN B. Write the letter of your answer on the blank
provided before the number.

_____ 1. Cohesion A. grammatical and lexical linking within a text

_____ 2. Coherence
_____ 3. Chronological order
_____ 4. Spatial order
_____ 5. Emphatic order
B. arranged according to geographical location
C. arranged to emphasize a certain point
D. arranged in the order which they happened
E. general sense that a text makes sense through
the organization of its content.
F. arranged by number of sentences

refers to the logical flow and connection in a written text and is

Cohesion achieved through the use of devices to link sentences together so
that there is a logical flow between ideas from one sentence to the
next. (Enquist & Oates 2009: 34)
refers to the unity or togetherness of the text as a whole and is
Coherence achieved through the effective grouping and arrangement of ideas
in a logical order. (Enquist & Oates 2009: 34)
BRIEF INTRODUCTION:

ARRANGEMENT OF DETAILS ACCORDING TO

The details are organized in the order which they
happened. (Landich, 2018) Example:
Chronological Order This morning was crazy. My alarm clock was set for PM instead
of AM, so I woke up really late. I just threw on some clothes and
ran out the door. I rode my bike as fast as I could and thought that
I was going to be late for sure, but when I got there everyone was
outside and there were firetrucks all lined up in front of school. I
guess somebody pulled the fire alarm before class started. It
worked out though, because nobody really noticed or minded that
I was tardy.
The sentences of a paragraph are organized according to the
 geographical location such as left to right up to down etc.
(Landich, 2018)
Spatial Order Example:
The inside of Bill's refrigerator was horrible. On the top shelf
was a three week old carton of milk. Next to it sat a slice of melon
that had started to get moldy. To the right of the melon sat the
remains of a macaroni and cheese dinner that had been served a
week earlier. On the shelf below was a slice of cake from his sister's
birthday party. Though there was food, none of it was edible.
The information in the paragraph is organized to emphasize
certain points depending on the writer’s purpose. (Landich,
2018)
Example:
After looking at all the brochures and talking to several
salesmen, I decided to purchase an SLR camera. For several years I
Emphatic Order
had been dissatisfied with the results I was getting from my
pointand-shoot camera. The framing was imprecise and the focus
was not always accurate. I had planned a vacation to an area that
promised many fabulous photo opportunities, and I wanted to
capture each one with accuracy. But the most important reason I
decided on the SLR camera was the great versatility it offered.
In the above paragraph, the organization moves from the least
important idea (dissatisfaction with the results of the point-
andshoot camera) to the most important idea (the versatility
offered with the SLR camera).

POST TEST

MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE. Read the following statements. Write TRUE if the statement is
correct and if it is false CHANGE the underlined word in each item to make the statement
correct.

_____ 1. Relevance is best term to describe the relevance of the use of words in order to achieve
the connection and the logical flow of a certain text.
_____ 2. Word order is achieved through the effective groupings of ideas in a certain text.
_____ 3. In order means that the details are organized in the order which they happened.
_____ 4. The information in the paragraph is organized to emphasize certain points depending
on the writer’s purpose is known as emphatic order.
_____ 5. Emphatic order means that the paragraph is arranged according to the geographical
location.

Prepared by :
Ms. Rebecca Rose B. Enriquez
SHS T1