English 7

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English – Grade 7
Quarter 4 – Module 17- The Three Features of an Essay
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education - Schools Division of Pasig City

Development Team of the Self-Learning Module

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Reviewers: Mr. Christopher S. Santos, Rowena D. Roxas
Illustrator: Edison P. Clet
Management Team: Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin
OIC-Schools Division Superintendent
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 English 7
Quarter 4
Self -Learning Module 17
The Three Features of an Essay

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Introductory Message

For the Facilitator:

Welcome to the English 7 Self-Learning Module on The Three Features of an

Essay!

This Self-Learning Module was collaboratively designed, developed and

reviewed by educators from the Schools Division Office of Pasig City headed by its
Officer-in-Charge Schools Division Superintendent, Ma. Evalou Concepcion A.
Agustin, in partnership with the City Government of Pasig through its mayor,
Honorable Victor Ma. Regis N. Sotto. The writers utilized the standards set by the K
to 12 Curriculum using the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) in
developing this instructional resource.

This learning material hopes to engage the learners in guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Further, this also aims to help learners
acquire the needed 21st century skills especially the 5 Cs, namely: Communication,
Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Character while taking into
consideration their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the
body of the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies that
will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this
module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Moreover, you are expected to encourage and assist the
learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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 For the Learner:

Welcome to the English 7 Self-Learning Module on The Three Features of an

Essay!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You
will be enabled to process the contents of the learning material while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

Expectations - This points to the set of knowledge and skills that

you will learn after completing the module.

Pretest - This measures your prior knowledge about the lesson at

hand.

Recap - This part of the module provides a review of concepts and

skills that you already know about a previous lesson.

Lesson - This section discusses the topic in the module.

Activities - This is a set of activities that you need to perform.

Wrap-Up - This section summarizes the concepts and application of

the lesson.

Valuing - This part integrates a desirable moral value in the lesson.

Posttest - This measures how much you have learned from the
entire module.

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 EXPECTATIONS

This is your self-instructional learner module in English 7. All the

activities provided in this lesson will help you learn and understand: The
Three Features of an Essay
Specifically, this module will enable the learner to:

1. define unity, coherence, and correctness;

2. write an essay that shows the three features.

PRETEST

Write T if the statement is correct, and F if incorrect. Write your answer on

the space before each item.
_______1. Essay is a short piece writing, either formal or informal, which
expresses the author’s argument about a particular subject.
_______2. Feature refers to the typical quality or an important part of
something.
_______3. Coherence is the quality of having the ideas and examples in a piece
of writing clearly related to the topic and to each other.
_______4. Correctness refers to the situation when the parts of something fit
together in a natural or reasonable way.
_______5. Unity refers to the correct standard English, with complete
sentences, and be relatively error-free.

RECAP

We have learned in our previous lesson that verbs are words or

combination of words that indicate action or state of being or condition. We
also learned examples of verbs and verb forms that we commonly use in
making explanation.

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 Write three sentences that explain why health and safety guidelines must be
strictly followed by everybody. Use verbs in their correct form in the sentences.
1.
2.
3.

LESSON

For some students, writing essays has always been a traumatic activity
in their years in school. It doesn’t have to be like this. Once you know how to
go about putting a good essay together, it is less work than you might think.
Before we begin with this lesson, let’s define the following terms:
An essay is a short piece writing, either formal or informal, which
expresses the author’s argument about a particular subject. Essays may be
written in first-person point of view (I, ours, mine), but third-person (people,
he, she) is preferable in most academic essays.
In an essay, a paragraph discusses one idea in detail that supports the
thesis of the essay. The paragraph’s purpose and scope will determine its
length, but most paragraphs contain at least two complete sentences.
The word feature refers to the typical quality or an important part of
something. Essays have many features. These features deal with the quality
that we have to show in our work for us to achieve a good writing.
Let’s take note that the features of an essay are not only limited to three
items. In this lesson, we only choose three. We have unity, coherence and
correctness.
Let’s check them out:

1. Unity
Every paragraph in an essay should be related to the main idea. Each
paragraph should stick to its main point. Unity is important because it aids
the reader in following along with the writer's ideas. The reader can expect
that a given paragraph will deal only with one main topic; when a new
paragraph begins, this signals that the writer is moving on to a new topic.

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2.Coherence
An essay or paper should be organized logically, flow smoothly, and
"stick" together. In other words, everything in the writing should make sense
to a reader. There are logical links between the words, sentences, and
paragraphs of the text.
Coherence can be achieved in a number of ways:

• Repeating key nouns

• Using consistent pronouns
• Using transition signals to link ideas
• Arranging your ideas in logical order

3. Correctness
A paper should be written in generally correct standard English, with
complete sentences, and be relatively error-free. Spelling, punctuation,
grammar and style are often the primary concern of many writers—that's a
holdover from school days where teachers emphasized "correctness".
Let’s read an example of a part of an essay. Afterwards, we will see if
the it has the 3 features.
It is commonly recognized that dogs have an extreme antagonism
toward cats. This enmity between these two species can be traced back to the
time of the early Egyptian dynasties. Archaeologists in recent years have
discovered Egyptian texts in which there are detailed accounts of canines
brutally mauling felines. Today this type of cruelty between these two
domestic pets can be witnessed in regions as close as your own neighborhood.
For example, when dogs are walked by their masters (and they happen to
catch sight of a stray cat), they will pull with all their strength on their leash
until the master is forced to yield; the typical result is that a feline is chased
up a tree. The hatred between dogs and cats has lasted for many centuries,
so it is unlikely that this conflict will ever end.
Do you think our example has shown the 3 features of an essay? Let’s
check it out!
Let’s start with UNITY.

The paragraph shows unity. All the sentences effectively relate back to
the topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph.
The second one is COHERENCE.
The paragraph shows coherence. There is a flow of thoughts and ideas
among the sentences in this paragraph. There are good transitions employed

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 in the paragraph. The writer also presents her sub-topics in an orderly fashion
that the reader can follow easily.
The last one is the CORRECTNESS.
The paragraph shows correctness. The sentences have followed the
rules in constructing sentences, spelling, and punctuation marks.
Let’s check if you understand our topic. Let’s do a practice!

Guided Practice
Show a “thumbs up” if you think that the given example correctly shows
the 3 features of an essay that we have discussed. For this activity we will
be showing some parts of essays.

Let’s read an example:

My father is very strict with his children, especially me. (2) He will not let
me out of the house unless I have done my homework. (3) Frankly speaking,
I do not care whether I go to school or not. (4) School is such a waste of time.
(5) My mother does not agree with my father. (6) They quarrel a lot. (7)
Sometimes I wish they would get a divorce, but then whom would I live with?

Does this part of the essay show UNITY?

Terrific! Thank you for the “thumbs down”. This example does not show
unity because it jumps from idea to idea. In the first sentence, the writer tells
the reader about his father’s strictness. This sentence is supported by sentence
(2). Sentence (3) concerns the writer: he doesn’t care whether he goes to school
or not, which is supported by sentence (4). Another idea is stated in sentence
(5) and supported by sentence (6) and (7).

Let’s have the next example:

For me, the worst thing about waiting tables was the uniform. At the last
place I worked, all the waitresses had to wear an ugly brown striped jumper.
Underneath it we had to wear an even uglier polyester shirt. Sometimes
someone I knew would come in and I'd feel embarrassed by my outfit. Now I
have a job in an office, where I can wear my own clothes.

Does this part of the essay show COHERENCE?

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 Great job! Thank you for the “thumbs up”. The example shows a strong
coherence. The writer presents the ideas in logical order by showing good
transition.
Let’s use the same paragraph for our last item.

Does the paragraph show correctness?

Fantastic! This is another “thumbs up”. The paragraph used standard

English. The sentences followed the rules in punctuation, capitalization. and
spelling. The example has also showed grammatically correct sentences.

ACTIVITIES

Activity 1
Directions: Identify what is being described in the following items. Choose
your answers from the box. Write your answer on the space before each
item.

Correctness Essay Coherence Feature Unity

_____1. This refers to the correct standard English, with complete sentences,
and be relatively error-free.
_____2. The situation when the parts of something fit together in a
natural or reasonable way.
_____3. A short piece writing, either formal or informal, which expresses the
author’s argument about a particular subject.

_____4. The quality of having the ideas and examples in a

piece of writing clearly related to the topic and to each other.
______5. The typical quality or an important part of something.

Activity 2
Directions: Write T if the statement is correct, and F if incorrect. Write your
answer on the space before each item.
________1. An essay deals with multiple subjects.

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 ________2. Unity is important because it aids the reader in following along with
the writer's ideas.
________3. Arranging your ideas in logical order would help the writer to
achieve “Unity”.
_________4. Coherence can be achieved by using transition signals in linking
ideas.
________5. A paper should be written in generally correct standard English,
with complete sentences, and be relatively error-free.

Performance Task:

Directions: Write an essay about any of the following topics. Choose one
topic only. Consider the 3 essay features as you accomplish this task. The
rubric below will guide you in doing this activity. You may use a whole sheet
of paper for this activity.

1. “My Community’s Preparation for Natural Disasters”

2. “10 Things to Prepare before Natural Disasters”
3. “What is Disaster Preparedness?”
Check the criteria for this task:
Criteria Inadequate Adequate Above Exemplary Score
(0-3) (4-6) Average (7- (10-12)
9)
Writing lacks logical Writing is Writing Writing shows
organization. It shows coherent and coherent and high degree of
some coherence but logically logically attention to
Coherence serious errors are organized. organized with logic and
evident. Some points transitions reasoning of
remain used between points. The
misplaced ideas and transition of
and stay paragraphs to ideas is
from the created smooth.
topic. coherence.
Transitions
Essay has a specific Some The main Essay had no
central idea that is points idea is vague. central idea or
clearly stated in the remain Unable to find supporting
opening paragraph: misplaced pecific details.
appropriate, concrete and stray supporting
details support the from the details: more
Unity
central ideas support topic. The than 4 errors
the central idea and essay lacks in
show originality and on focus. information.
focus.

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 Spelling, punctuation, Most Essay has Essay is free
and grammatical spelling, spelling, distracting
errors create difficult, punctuation, punctuation, spelling
fragments, comma, and and punctuations
splices, run -ons grammar grammatical and
Correctness
correct errors grammatical
evidents. Errors are allowing allowing reader errors, absent
frequent. reader to to follow ideas of fragments,
progress clearly. Very comma
through essay. few fragments splices, and run-
Some errors or run-ons. ons.
remain.

WRAP-UP

Fill in the boxes with the things that you have learned in our lesson.

Unity Coherence Correctness

VALUING

Here is today’s thought to ponder:

Write your thoughts about the given quotation. Use the space provided for
your answers.
“Good writing gives energy, whatever it is about.”
-Marilyn Hacker

___________________ _____________________
Good WritingGood Writing
___________________ ____________________
________________________________________________

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 POSTTEST

Directions: Identify the feature of an essay that is being stated in each item.
Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. Sarah writes the supporting details about the main idea of the essay.
A. unity B. coherence C. correctness D. none of the
above
2. The teacher checks if there are grammatical mistakes in Leo’s paper.
A. unity B. coherence C. Correctness D. none of the
above
3. Lee used transition signals to link his ideas in the paragraph.
A. unity B. coherence C. Correctness D. none of the
above 4. Thea worked so hard to arrange her ideas in logical order in the
essay.
A. unity B. coherence C. Correctness D. none of the above
5. John made sure that he checked all the spelling of the words in his
essay.
A. unity B. coherence C. Correctness D. none of the above

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 KEY TO CORRECTION

References

““Academic Writing in English.” Coherence | Academic Writing in English, Lund

University. Accessed September 1
https://awelu.srv.lu.se/grammar-and-words/coherence/.

“Cute Student Cliparts #2476479 (License: Personal Use).” girl student clipart
Clip Art Library. Accessed September 12, 2020. http://clipart-library.com/
clipart/1421105.html.

Editor. “Understanding the Art of Effective Comparative Essay Writing with

Examples.” Thoughtful Minds, August 26, 2020.
https://www.thoughtfulminds.org/understanding-the-art-of-
effectivecomparative-essay-writing-with-examples/.
Newman, Judith. “Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar & Style.” Correctness.
Accessed September 12, 2020.
http://www.lupinworks.com/roche/pages/correctness.php.

““THE WRITING PROCESS.” Hunter College. Accessed September 10, 2020.

http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/rwc/handouts/the-writing-
process1/invention/Five-Qualities-of-Good-Writing.

“Writing@CSU.” Welcome to Writing@CSU. Accessed September 12, 2020.

https://writing.colostate.edu/guides/teaching/rhet-terms/pop3d.cfm.

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