READING AND WRITING SKILLS REVIEWER

Selecting and Organizing Information

1. BRAINSTORMING is a technique to generate ideas within a group or individual
setting.
a. Idea list - Start by listing down broad topics then go on by identifying related,
narrower topics.

b. Concept map – Begin by writing the main concept at the middle and then adding
more branches for its subtopics.

2. OUTLINING
Outlines serve as a road map or blueprint when writing. It helps organize the ideas
as it shows the hierarchical relationship or logical ordering of information.
a. Topic outline – uses words or phrases as headings, without punctuation
b. Sentence outline – uses full sentences

Techniques/Principles
a. Parallelism – putting the words in the same grammatical order
b. Coordination – arranging ideas according to their value or importance; ideas of
the of the same relevance or value are labeled in the same way;
c. Subordination – arranging ideas in levels of significance: major and minor
d. Division – separating the kinds of points you are making by using a consistent
basis of division and distinction
3. USING GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS – Graphic organizers are visual and graphic
displays that show the relationships among concepts or ideas.
 Understanding Text and Its Properties
Written text based on its properties
KINDS OF TEXT ORGANIZATION
1. PHYSICAL FORMAT
- It is how the text physically appears.
 Readers needs
 Has bold/highlighted
 Important words
Example: In order to better understand what motivates human beings, Maslow
proposed that human needs can be organized into a hierarchy. This hierarchy
ranges from more concrete needs such as food and water to abstract concepts such
as self-fulfillment. According to Maslow, when a lower need is met, the next need on
the hierarchy becomes our focus of attention. These are the five categories of needs
according to Maslow: Physiological, this refers to basic physical needs like drinking
when thirsty or eating when hungry. Safety, once people’s physiological
requirements are met, the next need that arises is a safe environment. Love and
Belonging, according to Maslow, the next need in the hierarchy involves feeling
loved and accepted. This need includes both romantic relationships as well as ties to
friends and family members.
2. SIGNAL WORDS
- The cue in ordering of events and concepts
 Step by Step like first, next,meanwhile
Example: First, dissolve a package of yeast and one teaspoon of sugar in 1 cup of
warm water. Add ¼ cup of canola oil and a dash of salt. Slowly stir in 3½ cups of flour.
A soft dough will form. Meanwhile, pre-heat the oven to 450° F. Then transfer the dough
to a floured surface and knead it until it becomes smooth and elastic. Put it in a bowl,
cover, and set the bowl in a warm place. In about 45 minutes, it will double.
3. STRUCTURE
- The complete framework of the text. The structure provides the framework upon
which the text is organized. It consists of beginning, middle and end.
 Has storytelling
 Have a beginning, Middle, and end.
Example: A hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who
replied, laughing: "Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race." The Hare,
believing her assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and they
agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal. On the day appointed for
the race the two started together. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went
on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, lying down
by the wayside, fell fast asleep. At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he
saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.

Arrangement of details
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.(Enquist & Oates 2009: 34)
 Connection of the sentences
 Has organization
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.
(Enquist & Oates 2009: 34)
 Talks about the whole paragraph
 Has Unity or togetherness of paragraph
Arrangement of details according to:
1. CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
- The details are organized in the order which they happened.
 Timeline (like from the very start)
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.
2. SPATIAL ORDER
- The sentences of a paragraph are organized according to the geographical
location such as left to right up to down etc.
 Geographical Location
 Ex. Next to it, On the top shelf, To the right
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.
3. EMPHATIC ORDER
- The information in the paragraph is organized to emphasize certain points
depending on the writer’s purpose.
 Has focus
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.
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.
Understanding Properties of Language in a Written Text
Signal Devices in Various Text Properties
SIGNAL DEVICES
- words that give readers an idea of how the points in your paragraph are
progressing.
1. TRANSITIONS - words that connect one idea to another, in order for our Ideas to
flow smoothly.
a. Time (first, immediately, afterward, before, at the same time, after, earlier,
simultaneously, finally, next, in the meantime, later, eventually, then, meanwhile,
now, subsequent, etc.)
b. Sequence (moreover, furthermore, next, also, finally, last, another, first, second,
third, besides, additionally, etc.)
c. Space (above, next to, below, behind, beside, etc.)
d. Illustration (for instance, specifically, for example, namely, in this case, to
illustrate, etc
e. Comparison (similarly, also, in the same way, still, likewise, in comparison, too,
etc.)
f. Contrast (but, despite, however, even though, yet, on the other hand, although,
on the contrary, otherwise, conversely, etc.)
g. Cause and Effect (because, as a result, consequently, then, so, since, etc.)
h. Conclusion (thus, therefore, in conclusion, in short, etc.)
2. REPETITIONS - repetitions of main ideas keep continuity and highlight important
ideas
Examples:
1. If you think you can do it, you can do it.
2. The boy was a good footballer, because his father was a footballer, and his
grandfather was a footballer.
3. The judge commanded, stamping his mallet on the table, “Order in Signal
Devices words that give readers an idea of how the points in your paragraph are
progressing BRIEF INTRODUCTION DISCUSSIONS 3 the court, order in the
court.”
4. The president said, “Work, work, and work,” are the keys to success.
3. SYNONYMS - these are words similar in meaning to important words or phrases that
prevent tedious repetitions.
3. PRONOUNS - words that connect readers to the original word that the pronouns
replace
Language Use and Mechanics in a Written Text
LANGUAGE USE - is one of the clearest indicators of a well written text. It enables
writers to effectively communicate ideas without confusing the reader.
MECHANICS - focuses on the technicalities of the structure. It determines errors on
subject-verb agreement, prepositions, tenses, the grammar, spelling, capitalization,
abbreviations and acronyms, the use of numbers as part of the statement, and the
punctuation marks. Spelling, Capitalization, Abbreviation and Acronyms, Numbers,
Punctuation Marks, Gramma
Principles in Language Use/ Diction
1. Use clear and concise sentences, usually about 18 words long.
2. Avoid redundancies, clichés wordiness, and highfalutin
3. Although may be used, avoid overusing “There” and “It”, drop it
4. Use precise vocabulary. Be accurate. Condensed.
5. Be consistent in pronoun.
6. Avoid sexist language.
7. Use appropriate level of formality
General Principles
1. Always use standard English
2. Avoid Contraction (shouldn't, gonna)
3. Avoid exclamation marks unless part of a quotation
4. Mention full name in first mention. Thereafter, use abbreviations. Numbers zero
to ten vs 11 and so on
5. Citation s are used in academic and formal texts but sparingly used in business
texts
PROOF READING - Proofreading a sentence means trying to find a mistake and
correct it with focus on the mechanics such as Punctuation, Capitalization, Grammar,
and Run-On sentences.