and organized points.

Cohesion, on the other hand, is the connection of ideas at the sentence DON’T DO
level. It can be applied using three (3) techniques namely: through the use of pronouns to
refrain from using a specific word repeatedly; through the use of transitional devices to connect Although offsprings are taught not Although children are told not to
sentences with linked ideas; and by the one that employs a repetition of keywords to tie up to obtain free gifts from strangers, at the take gifts from strangers, many still do.
the paragraphs subtly (Barrot, 2016, p. 105). present moment many still do.
Text without Coherence and Cohesion Text with Coherence and Cohesion
3. Avoid excessive use of “there” and “it” structures. These sentences can be revised by
Amelia Earhart was a legendary Amelia Earhart was a legendary dropping the “there” and “it” phrase and transforming the sentences appropriately.
woman who made her name in aviation by woman who made her name in aviation by DON’T DO
setting various records. In 1928, she setting various records. In 1928, she
became famous as the first woman who flew became famous as the first woman who flew There are many people walking on Many people walk on this street
across the Atlantic Ocean. She was only a across the Atlantic Ocean. However, during this street during Sundays. It is important during Sundays. Keeping your valuables
passenger, with pilot Wilmer Stultz and co- this trip she was only a passenger, with pilot to keep your valuables close to you. close to you is important.
pilot/mechanic Louis Gordon manning the Wilmer Stultz and co-pilot/mechanic Louis
controls. In 1932, she flew on her own over Gordon manning the controls. In 1932, she 4. Use precise vocabulary. Be accurate and condense lengthy phrases into fewer words.
the Atlantic. She flew from Honolulu Hawaii finally got to fly on her own over the Atlantic. DON’T DO
to Oakland California. She became the first She set another record when she flew from
person to fly over both the Atlantic and Honolulu Hawaii to Oakland California in Shafts that control the brake Emergency levers are installed in
Pacific Oceans. Between 1930 and 1935, 1935, thus becoming the first person to fly during urgent situations are built inside MRT train for the safety of the
Earhart set seven women’s speed and over both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. MRT trains to keep the passengers free passengers.
distance aviation through different aircrafts. Between 1930 and 1935, Earhart set seven from harm.
She disappeared 1937 while attempting to women’s speed and distance aviation
fly around the world. On board her plane was through different aircrafts (Barrot, 2016, 5. Be consistent with your pronoun’s point of view.
her only crew member, Fred Noonan. p.106). DON’T DO
Extensive search efforts were not able to find
a trace of both aviators (Barrot, 2016, We should accept that fate is We should accept that fate is
p.106). simply an illusion; you must not leave our simply an illusion; we must not leave our
decisions to something that does not decisions to something that does not
Language Use exist. exist.
The writer’s choices about language can affect or aid his argument. As a writer, it is
important not only to think about what you say, but also how you say it. As much as you have 6. Avoid sexist language. This issue can be addressed by using articles (a, an, and the),
organized ideas expressed in complete and coherent sentences and paragraphs, you must using plural pronouns, using his or her instead of his, writing through a second person
also think about the style, tone, and clarity of your writing, and adapt these elements to the point of view, or using gender-neutral nouns (e.g. chairperson instead of chairman).
reading audience. The key to writing effectiveness is to analyze one’s audience and purpose. Make sure not to overuse the his or her technique as it breaks up the flow of your
In order to choose the most effective language, you must consider the objective of the composition.
document, the context in which it is being written, and who will be reading it. DON’T DO
(http://faculty.washington.edu/ezent/el.htm).
Every employee should submit his Every employee should submit
Effective language use is achieved by observing the following time-tested principles in
credentials. his/her credentials.
writing (Barrot, 2016, pp. 107-109).
1. Use clear and concise sentences. On average, a sentence is 18 words long. Note that
7. Use the appropriate level of formality. The more formal texts use an academic tone
this does not require every sentence to be composed of exactly 18 words.
while the less formal ones usually use a personal or colloquial tone.
DON’T DO
DON’T DO
Image is a very important factor in Image is a very important factor in
politics because once the reputation of a politics. Once the reputation of a person
Yes, diskettes are likely things of Diskettes may be outdated, but
person is smeared by accusations, the is smeared by accusations, the people’s
the past, but they’re still totally cool. they are still fascinating.
people’s perception of the person is perception of the person is forever
forever tainted and it may cause him to tainted. The person may lose his
Mechanics
lose credibility and trust even when the credibility, even when the allegations are
- is described as the technical aspect of writing. It specifies the established
truth behind allegations is not yet not yet verified.
conventions for words that you use- spelling, punctuation, capitalization, etc. In
verified.
academic and more formal texts, the following should be observed (Barrot, 2016,
p. 109).
2. Avoid redundancies, wordiness, clichés, and “high-falutin’” language.
1. Always use Standard English.

22 23
 2. Avoid contractions (e.g., shouldn’t, can’t, I’ll). send a personal message, post an invitation on his/her timeline, or create an event and
3. Avoid exclamation marks unless they are part of a direct quotation. invite friends. Facebook is also extensively used to interact with other people. Reconnecting
4. Mention the full name of an institution or organization with the abbreviation in with childhood friends and former colleagues is also made easy: a user just needs to type
parenthesis, in first mention. Thereafter, use the abbreviation. the name of the person in the search tab and then add that person as a friend.
5. Numbers from zero to ten should be spelled out while numbers higher than ten The second major function of Facebook is for academic purposes. It has several
should be written in figures. features that can be used for teaching. For instance, teachers can simply update their
6. Generally, citations are used in academic and formal texts. However, they are statuses or send messages to make announcements on submission deadlines and
sparingly used in business texts. assignments. Facebook can also be used as a venue for students to display their works,
such as speaking performances and essays. By sharing their outputs to others and
Text without Mechanics Text with Mechanics receiving praise or constructive comments, students would have a sense of authorship.
Intellectual discussions can also be conducted on Facebook through its chatting features.
Pluto was demoted to a dwarf Pluto was demoted to a dwarf Undoubtedly, Facebook is a viable tool for personal and academic success. Not only
planet in 2006 after the General planet in 2006 after the general does it enhance and provide a positive influence in classroom practices, it also helps
Assembly of the IAU, as it only met 2 out assembly of the International individuals collaborate, communicate, and reconnect. Nevertheless, people should still be
of the association’s three requirements Astronomical Union (IAU), as it only met responsible enough so that this great invention would not be misused and put to waste
to qualify as a Planet (Library of two out of the association’s three (Barrot, 2016, pp. 110-111).
Congress). The dispute started when requirements to qualify as a planet
Caltech astronomy prof Mike Brown (Library of Congress). The dispute Text 2
discovered an Asteroid bigger than Pluto started when Mike Brown, a professor of Hi there, friend! I’d like to share my thoughts about FB, because I think it has a lot of
in 2005 (Cain, 2012). The science astronomy at the California Institute of awesome features. For example, you can use it in school and at home like me. I use Fb to
community went wild! Brown’s findings Technology (Caltech), discovered an check out what’s happening with my friends. I can even use it to invite them for, say, a
sparked a debate on whether this new asteroid bigger than Pluto in 2005 (Cain, dinner or party. In just one click, you will have an instant invitation. I also use it to find my
planet, which he named eris, should be 2012). Brown’s findings sparked a long-lost childhood friends. I’ll just type their name in the search tab, press search, and voila!
added to the roster of 9 Planets. The debate on whether this new planet, There they are! They just have to accept my friend invite, and we’re good to go. Oh, I also
controversy prompted the International which he named Eris, should be added wanna tell you that I also use FB for my studies. Every time we have a project, my
Astronomical Union to meet up and to the roster of nine planets. The classmates and I just chat with one another to talk about it. My teachers are also using FB
delineate what a ‘planet’ is. They came controversy prompted the IAU to meet when they teach. For example, my English teacher uses it for our class e-portfolio. So you
up with three requirements to classify a and delineate what a ‘planet’ is. They know, if you think of it, FB is really great!
celestial body as a planet and removed came up with three requirements for
the Planet Status of Pluto based on the classifying celestial bodies as planets Text 1 Text 2
new definition (Barrot, 2016, p.109). and removed the planet status of Pluto
based on the new definition (Barrot,
2016, p. 109).

Alright! That was all about the properties of a well-written text that will enable you to ensure
the quality of your work. And now, let’s boost your higher-order thinking skills by engaging Strengths
yourself in the next activity.

Let’s Think Critically!

INSTRUCTIONS: A. Read the texts about Facebook. Then, analyze and describe how the
texts are organized, how ideas linked to one another, how language is used, and how
effectively the mechanics (e.g., spelling, punctuation, and abbreviation) are followed by
providing its strengths and weaknesses on the table below. Weaknesses
Text 1
With the increasing popularity of Information and Communication Technology (ICT),
social networking sites (SNS) have become an integral part of our lives. One of these SNSs
is Facebook, a popular site which has over one billion active users around the world.
Generally, there are two main functions of Facebook: for personal use and for educational
purpose.
People use Facebook for their personal use to communicate with their friends and
relatives. For example, if there are important events to celebrate, a Facebook user can just

24 25