Reading and Writing Skills the story in second point of view using the pronouns you,
yours, and your.
Quarter 3 - Module 1
Reading & Thinking Strategies across
Text Types
Lesson 1.1 Reading & Thinking Strategies:
Writing Paragraphs
Paragraph comes from two Greek words para which means
“beyond” or “beside” and graphein which means “to write”.
■ It is a collection of related sentences with one
central idea. Each sentence shows connection to other
sentences in the paragraph.
■ A paragraph is an independent unit or a related
unit. As an independent unit, it is complete in itself. As a
related unit, it is a part of a composition that is combined
with other paragraphs to make a larger composition. Whether
a paragraph is an independent unit or a related unit, it has
its beginning, middle and end.
DEVELOPING EFFECTIVE PARAGRAPHS
Form or structure – it is one of the most important elements
in writing. An effective paragraph shows the unity of the
sentences used in developing the main idea.
A paragraph is made up of:
1. Topic sentence – it reveals the main or central idea of the
paragraph. It does not necessarily have to be placed at the
beginning of the paragraph. It may be found in the middle of
the first and the last sentence or at the end. If it is found at
the end of the paragraph, it may be used as a clinching or
concluding sentence.
2. Supporting details – they give the paragraph life as it
elaborates on the scope given by the topic sentence.
The word paragraph comes from two Greek words: para
which means “beyond” or “beside” and graphein which means
“to write”.
3. Clinching sentence – it closes your paragraph. According
to Dagdag (2010), this “may be a restatement of the topic
sentence, a summary, or a conclusion based on the
supporting details.”
Lesson 1.2 Reading & Thinking Strategies:
Narration
Narration – comes from the root word narrates, originated
from the Latin word “narrare”— which means related or told.
- It gives a written account of an event or story, or
simply, storytelling. The sequence of events is told in
chronological order.
- It usually contains the following: the who, what
and when.
A narrative paragraph simply tells what happened and
establishes facts. It is sharing of personal experiences that
offer lessons and insights.
Narration has the following elements:
1. Setting -it is the time and location in which a story takes
place.
2. Characters - the life-giving element of the story.
3. Plot. It is the logical series of events in the story. The five
essential parts of the plot are:
a. Exposition. It is the part of the story where the
characters and the setting are revealed.
b. Rising Action. It is where the events in the story
become complicated and the conflict in the story is exposed.
c. Climax - this is the highest point of interest and
the turning point of the story.
d. Falling Action. The events and complications
begin to resolve themselves.
e. Denouement - the final resolution of the plot in
the story.
4. Point of View - it is the perspective of the writer in
narrating the story.
a. First person point of view. The story is told by
the protagonist or one of the characters using pronouns I,
me, we.
b. Second person point of view. The author tells
c. Third person point of view. The narrator is not
part of the story but describes the events that happen. The
writer uses the pronouns he, she , him, and her.
Lesson 1.3 Reading & Thinking Strategies:
Description
Description gives information of what a person, an object, a
place or a situation is like. It appeals to the reader’s senses.
A descriptive paragraph has concrete and specific details,
which are carefully chosen by a writer to paint a picture in
the mind of the reader.
*Descriptive writing emphasizes a reader’s ability to paint
vivid pictures using words on a reader’s mind. This relies on
the writer’s ability to appeal to his/her five senses: the sight,
smell, touch, taste, and hearing.
2 types of description:
1. Objective description is a factual description of the topic at
hand. This relies on physical aspects and appeals to those
who crave for facts.
2. Subjective description allows the writer to explore ways to
describe an emotion, an event, a thing, a place or person,
appealing to emotions. Often, this is an artistic way of
describing things, mostly from the eye and perspective of the
writer.
Lesson 1.4 Reading & Thinking Strategies:
Definition
Definition explains a concept, term or subject. Its main
purpose is to tell what something is. It is the main
constituent of any dictionary.
- It consists of three parts: (1) the term, concept or
subject to be defined; (2) the general class to which it belongs;
and (3) the characteristics that differentiate it from the other
members of its class.
The following are the different types of definitions:
1. Formal Definition. The definitions provided in dictionaries.
2. Informal Definitions. The three common informal
definitions are operational
definitions, synonyms, and connotations.
a. Operational Definitions gives the meaning of an
abstract word for
one particular time and place.
b. Synonyms or words that mean the same as
another word.
c. Connotation is an idea or meaning suggested by
or associated with a word or things.
3. Definition Paragraph. It is a definition sentence which is
extended into a paragraph by adding meanings, descriptions,
narrations, and other kinds of paragraph development to
make clear the term being defined.
Lesson 1.5 Reading & Thinking Strategies:
Classification
Classification paragraphs group items into categories, to
establish a clear distinction.
- If the topic encompasses a large body of
information, one effective way of elaborating it is through
classifying things of distinct features into groups/classes.
Classification paragraph you tell readers how a collection of
items can be sorted into categories. It is an activity of sorting
items (people, things, ideas) into categories. solution essay can provide answers to 5W and 1H (who, what,
when, where, why, and how) questions. Soles (2010) added
1. Terms that signal classification that this type of essay has essentially two parts: “a full
*aspects *kinds *qualities *traits *areas explanation of the nature of the problem, followed by an
*levels *systems *types analysis of solutions and their likelihood of success.”

2. Transitional Expressions Structure of paragraphs in a problem-solution

*can be divided *can be categorized essay: Nordquist (1995)
*can be classified *the first type
1. Introduction. At the forefront of the essay, the introduction
Lesson 1.6 Reading & Thinking Strategies: must serve to capture the reader’s attention. This may
Comparison & Contrast contain the thesis statement wherein the problem or topic at
hand is presented. This is where the problem is defined, and
Comparison tells how two things are similar. the reason why it is significant to a specific group of people
Contrast tells how things are different. (or the target audience).
2. Problem Paragraph. This paragraph/s will dwell on the
A comparison and contrast paragraph must be balanced in elaboration of the problem, effectively conveying the
such a way that there is an equal amount of information for importance of a solution. You may present reliable sources
each subject to avoid bias. and evidence to support your stand.
-A paragraph developed by comparison and contrast 3. Solution Paragraph. Present and describe a concrete
has a unifying idea or purpose of attempting to weigh solution to the problem. Explain how this solution is better
decisions between two ideas or subjects. than other probable solutions.
4. Conclusion. Conclude the essay with connection between
There are two ways in writing a comparison and contrast the problem and its proposed solution.
paragraph.
1. Subject – by - Subject Method. You present all of the facts Lesson 1.9 Reading & Thinking Strategies:
and supporting details about one topic, and then you give all
the facts and supporting details about the other topic.
Persuasion
2. Point – by - Point Arrangement. You discuss each point for
both subjects before giving on the next point. A persuasive paragraph tries to convince the reader that a
particular point of view is worthy of consideration.
- It wants you to consider both sides of an issue, but
Lesson 1.7 Reading & Thinking Strategies: it reveals a bias in favor of one side over another.
Cause and Effect - A persuasive paragraph intends to convince
readers to do or believe in
A cause is what makes a particular thing happen. something.
An effect is what results from a particular situation, activity, Knowing how to write a persuasive paragraph allows
or behavior. you to express your personal conviction or opinion about an
*Cause and Effect paragraphs are written for the following issue or topic and make the readers agree with or adopt your
purposes: conviction or opinion.
 to discuss why a certain phenomenon occurs
 to discuss the results of a phenomenon, event, feeling or Persuasion essays seek to urge readers to take a particular
action action (Forlini, et.al, 1990).
 to understand a situation - The main goal of persuasive essays is to convince
 to solve a problem the reader to agree to the writer’s opinion or at the very least,
 to predict an outcome take it into serious consideration.
 to entertain - According to Forlini (1990), “the purpose of
 to persuade persuasive writing is to obtain the reader’s agreement on a
matter of opinion.”
*Some of the signal words used in this type of paragraph are
the following: ■ The statements given in persuasive essays are heavy on
 For opinion while based on facts. The opinions of the writer must
 Because be (a) controversial enough or something that would inspire
conversation and debate, (b) significant and interesting, and
 Since
(c) supported by evidence. (Forlini, 1990).
 Due to
■ It is also vital that in order to prove your stand, you must
 So
thoroughly research about the issue you are about to discuss.
 But Make a list of your strongest arguments composed of facts
 For this reason and data. Introduce a new reason or fact with every
 As a result paragraph.
 Consequently
 Otherwise
 Therefore
 Thu

Lesson 1.8 Reading & Thinking Strategies:

Problem – Solution
*Problem-solution is a method for analyzing and writing
about a topic by identifying a problem and proposing one or
more solutions.
*Problem-solution paragraphs as the term implies, presents
and identifies a problem and proposes possible solution/s.
In composing this type of essay, you must present an
argument or stand and support it with reliable evidence in
order to persuade the readers to make a particular move or
action (Kemper et.al, 2016).
According to Soles (2010), topics for problem-solution essays
“are typically framed in the form of questions.” Problem-
Summary: A paragraph is a collection of related sentences
with one central idea. Each sentence shows connection to
other sentences in the paragraph.
● A paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting
details, and a clinching sentence.
● There are many ways of developing a paragraph,
such as: narration, description, definition, classification,
comparison and contrast, cause and effect, problem-solution
and persuasion.