Modified Self-Learning Module SHS

Core Subject

Reading and Writing

Third Grading, Module 4

(PROPERTIES OF A WELL-
WRITTEN TEXT)
)

Images taken from: https://www. Google.com.ph

Karen R. Royo

España National High School

1
 LESSON 1: PROPERTIES OF A
WELL- WRITTEN TEXT

I. Most Essential Learning Competency:

 Evaluate a written text based on its properties (Organization and

Coherence and cohesion)

At the end of the lesson, it is expected that you should be able to:

1. identify the different properties of a well- written text;

2. identify the different properties of a well- written text through

sample paragraphs.

II. CONTENT

PROPERTIES OF A WELL- WRITTEN TEXT

1. Organization/ Text Organization

It refers to 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:

a. 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.

2
Example:

Marxist ideology has three main theories. Historical

materialism signifies 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.

Explanation:

The words in bold are the three most important Marxist theories that
the first sentence is referring to. By emphasizing these words, the reader can
identify the correct term for the concepts along with their definitions; this
would also aid in remembering the theories since they stick out from the rest
of the text.

b. 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’s genius
early in my writing career.

Explanation:

By using sequential signal words (first, second and third) before the
beginning of every sentence, the reader can follow what seems to be the

3
 writer’s list of three reasons why the novel influenced him. The word thus
also signals the conclusion and the end of the list.

c. Structure- provides the framework upon which the text is

organized. It consists of 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.

Explanation:

Organization in this paragraph is not readily noticeable as it does not use

cues like formatting or signal words. However, the text is organized in this
way:

 Beginning: Introduce topic of aura

 Middle: Definition and evidence of existence of auras
 End: Ending message about forces in the world
By adhering to the structure, the writer can produce a text that is still
easy to follow. The topic, supporting details and concluding message
is still clear to the reader.

4
 2. Coherence and Cohesion

Coherence and cohesion make your text easier for your readers to
follow and understand.

Coherence- refers to the unity or togetherness of the text as a whole

and is achieved through the effective grouping and arrangement of ideas
in a logical order.

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

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.

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.

Explanation:

The main topic of the text is International Women’s Day, which was
stated in the first sentence. The paragraph proceeds to outline the history of
the holiday starting from some Western countries and its spread to other
nations. It ends with the current way that the whole world celebrates the day.
The writer can present different ideas about the holiday in a logical manner
and without veering away from the topic.

Also, coherence and cohesion can be achieved through the arrangement

of details:

5
  Chronological Order- the details are arranged in order in which
they happened.

Example:

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.

Explanation:

From the above examples, it can be noted that the events in the
paragraph are arranged in order in which they happen, from waking up,
getting ready, riding a bike to school and seeing many people outside.

 Spatial Order- the sentences of a paragraph are organized

according to the geographical location such as left to right up to
down etc. (Landich, 2018)

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.

6
Explanation:

As you have observed from the sample paragraph, it can be seen that
the inside of Bill’s refrigerator was described from the top up to bottom. The
description was clearly seen through prepositional phrases used to aid in the
description.

 Emphatic Order- The information in the paragraph is organized

to emphasize certain points depending on the writer’s purpose.

Example:

After looking at all the brochures and talking to several salesmen, I

decided to purchase an SLR camera. For several years I had been dissatisfied
with the results I was getting from my point and-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.

Explanation:

In the above paragraph, the organization moves from the least

important idea (dissatisfaction with the results of the point-and shoot camera)
to the most important idea (the versatility offered with the SLR camera).

7
Practice Exercise.

Directions: Read the paragraph below. Then, identify what properties of

a well- written text is used to organize the paragraph and also provide
your observation on how the said property of a well- written text is
achieved in the sample paragraph. Write your answer on the blank space
after the paragraph. Use the given answer key to check your answers.
This activity will not be recorded, so please do not submit this activity
during retrieval.

1. There are several reasons why you need an effective time- management
in finishing your modules as you continue your studies in time of this
pandemic. First, an effective time- management is necessary since you
are a student who aims to pass the grade level you are in. That’s one
basic objective anyone who studies has. And if you pass, most probably,
you, yourself and your loved ones will be happy for the achievement.
When you pass, it will be one step making you closer to your goal.
Second, an effective time- management important in order for you to
finish your modules on time before the scheduled date of retrieval. This
serves as your time- table to help you get through your modules easier.
Having a strict and religiously followed time schedule in answering your
modules is better than cramming to answer your activities before the
day of submission. You will be able to find time to relax and not
pressure yourself to finish your tasks. Third, setting a time- frame is
the same as training your mind to work. In real life, when you have a
habit of practicing an effective time- management, you know how the
saying goes. Practice makes perfect. Thus, if you practice effective time-
management, then you are more likely to get the outcome that you
expect. Who doesn’t want to see good scores on his or her papers
without pressuring and cramming oneself? These are just some of the
causes and effects of having an effective time- management. You may
discover more if you actually do it.

8
Your answer____________________________.

Explanation______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Key to Practice Exercise:

Answer: Organization

Explanation:

The above sample paragraph is achieved through organization. As

you can observe, the writer used sequential signal words (first, second and
third) before the beginning of the sentences to point out the three reasons why
effective time- management is needed in finishing your modules as you
continue your studies in time of this pandemic. With those signal words, the
readers can effectively follow the transition of ideas from one point to another.
The word thus is used to signal conclusion or the end of the paragraph.

Thank you for answering the practice exercises. If you answered the practice
exercises correctly, you are now ready to proceed to do the written works. If
not, please try until you arrived on the correct answer.

9
III. ASSESSMENT

Directions: Read the paragraph below. Then, identify what property of a well-
written text is used to organize the paragraph. After you have identified the
property of a well- written text used, explain how the said property of a well-
written text is achieved in the sample paragraph. You are going to express
your answers through an essay. Write your answers on the matrix provided
for this assessment. A rubric will be used to rate your answers.

“As a current Grade 12 Senior High School student, the deferment of

face- to face- classes in the country has greatly affected my studies. At first, I
am so lonely and devastated because it was really a big halt on the most usual
routine of my everyday life as a student especially now that I am a Grade 12
Senior High School student in España National High School. I can no longer
attend to school physically because face- to- face classes are still suspended.
I have to stay at home and only rely to my modules in order to continue my
education. I have faced challenges like how to manage my time properly to
cope up with homeschooling. I find it hard to study at home because there
are many distractions and also I have a hard time on passing my outputs on
time. As lockdown is still in effect, all I can do now is stay safe at home and
be able to adapt to the new learning process. But after all the difficulties, I
have come to learn and understand that it is important to have time-
management and also faith in God.” (Translated from Filipino with the author’s
permission)

REFERENCES:

 Anudin, Ali G. and Peña, Andrew Rey S., Reading and Writing, Quezon
City: Vibal Publishing House, 2016.
 Sample paragraphs used in the example retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/KatrinaClaireLandich/properties-of-a-
well-written-text-. 09 March 2021

10
 MATRIX FOR ASSESSMENT #4 IN READING AND WRITING

NAME: _________________________________________ GRADE 11- GAS (__)

DATE SUBMITTED: ____________________________ SCORE: ______

REMINDERS: On top of this answer sheet, always indicate your NAME,

GRADE/SECTION, date submitted. This answer sheet will be submitted to the
Focal Person assigned in your Sitio. This assessment is good for 15 points.

(Write your essay here.)

11