Name:___________________________________Grade&Section:_________________Date:__________

What's New?
It has been said that an image is worth a thousand words to deliver a powerful message.
The sign and the group of words above is processed differently by the viewers. That is why aside from
the written words, we need visuals to enhance our understanding of the text. In this lesson, you will find
out the difference between linear and non-linear texts.
• LINEAR TEXTS
Linear text refers to traditional text that needs to be read sequentially - from beginning to the end.
Here, the reader understands the meaning of the text through grammatical and syntactic arrangement
of words. Generally, texts printed on paper are considered linear texts.
Examples of linear texts are novels, poems, letters, textbooks, newspaper articles, and educational texts.
Linear texts can also be electronic such as those materials and other linear forms posted on the internet.
Shown below are examples of linear texts.

Examples of Linear Text

Poem It is a piece of writing that
partakes of the nature of both
speech and song that is nearly
always rhythmical, usually
metaphorical, and often
exhibits such formal elements
as meter, rhyme, and stanza
structure
Novel It is a fictitious prose narrative
of book length, typically
representing character and
action with some degree of
realism. It is composed of many
chapters.

Newspaper It is a publication printed on

paper and issued regularly,
usually once a day or once a
week. It gives information and
opinions about current events
and news

NON-LINEAR TEXTS
Non-linear texts are presented using various kinds of graphics. This kind of texts is non-sequential; the
reader has the freedom to decide the sequence in reading the text. It does not require him to read from
beginning to end. Non-linear texts include flow charts, concept maps, tables, and diagrams, maps,
Illustrations, and photos. Such materials are called graphic aids or graphic organizers.

Examples of Non-linear Text

Flow chart It is a diagram of the
sequence of movements or
actions of people or things
involved in a complex system
or activity.

Concept Map Venn diagram is a non-linear

form composed of two or
three overlapping circles
showing the similarities and
differences of ideas/ objects
compared
 Table A statistical table is a
systematic method of
arranging information and
data in rows and columns.
Every category is assigned a
row or column.
If the data are arranged and
placed in their respective
cells, on a table, it is easy to
compare the figures across
categories.

Circle Graph A circle graph (pie chart) uses

a circle to show the parts of
something.
The entire "pie" represents
100 percent of a whole, while
the pie
"slices" represent portions of
the whole
Bar graph A bar graph shows
relationships of ideas
presented. It works similarly
to a line graph but differs in
the use of bars of different
heights to show different
values.

Line graph A line graph uses lines to

record and present changes
over a period of time.

Picture graph A picture graph is similar to a

bar graph. However, it uses
pictures

Non-linear texts or graphic aids are used to:

Summarize figures
Show trends
Show comparisons
Show relationships
Clarify difficult concepts
Importance of Linear and Non-linear text
The importance of linear and non-linear text is their reading path. In a linear text, a reader can make
sense of the text by reading sequentially, from beginning to the end. However, in a nonlinear text, the
reading path is nonlinear and non-sequential; thus, the reader can choose his own reading path.
What I Can Do
Directions: Classify the following as linear or non-linear.
________1. The poem, Like the Molave
________2. A height and weight chart displayed in your classroom
________3. A dashboard in front of the principal's office showing the enrolment trend of the school for
three years
________4. An excerpt of the story, A Footnote to Youth by Jose Garcia Villa
________5. An illustration explaining how typhoons are formed

What I Have Learned

Directions: Complete the statement below.

The importance of linear of text and non-linear text is

_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________________________________________
________________________
What's More
Directions: Identify the kinds of linear and non-linear text.
________1. This is a regularly printed publication which gives current events, information, opinion, and
others.
________2. This is a non-linear text which shows the relationships of ideas by using bars of different
heights to show different values.
________3. This is a non-linear text which uses pictures.
________4. This is a type of graph which uses a circle to show the parts of something.
________5. This is a piece of writing that partakes of the nature of both speech and songs.

What's New
Linear texts are the most common ones. Reading them from start to end is necessary while Non-linear
texts are used to simply summarize a text in an easier, faster and a more understandable way without
changing the whole thought or idea of the text using representations, charts or organizer.
To better understand Linear to Non-linear, read the text, study the diagram and answer the questions
that follow.
The oldest musical instrument in the world is the drum, which was originally made in one of three ways.
Frame drums were made by stretching sin over bowl-shaped frames. Rattle drums were made by filling
gourds or skins with dried grains, shells or rocks. Tubular drums were made from hollowed logs or bones
covered with skins and struck with the hand or with beaters to produce sounds.
In contrast, rattle drums were shaken or scraped to make rhythmic sounds. For thousands of years, drums
have been used to transmit messages to call soldiers to battle and to make music

Direction: Transcode this linear text to non-linear text by completing the diagram.
Life Cycle of a Butterfly

The female butterfly lays her eggs on leaves or stems of plants that the young will feed on.
The larva or caterpillar hatches from the eggs. Caterpillars have huge appetites and feed almost constantly.
The caterpillar attaches itself to a twig and the exoskeleton splits to reveal the chrysalis.
The chrysalis (or pupa) hangs down from the twig. Inside the body of the caterpillar is transforming into the butterfly.
The chrysalis casing splits and the adult butterfly emerges.
The butterfly will go on to mate and lay eggs so the cycle can begin again.

Butterfly
Life

Cycle

Posttest
Directions: Read each item carefully and write only the letter.
1. It is a non-linear text which displays the information as a series of data points connected line segments to show
trends.
A. bar graph B. line graph C. pictograph D. pie chart
2. The following are examples of linear text EXCEPT:
A. letters B. novels C. poems D. tables and charts
3. Which non-linear text will you use to show similarities and differences of a concept?
A. bar graph B. line graph C. pie chart D. Venn diagram
4. Which visual representation refers on the arrangement of facts and figures in columns and rows?
A. histogram B. infographic chart C. line graph D. tables
5. Which of the linear texts gives information and opinions about current events and news?
A. Newspaper B. poem C. Short Story D. Novel
6. It is a visual representation of the breakdown of items in percentages as slices of a pie which total to 100%.
A. linear text B. non-linear text C. pie chart D. Venn diagram
7. It refers to the kind of text that comes in the form of tables, charts, and diagrams.
A. linear text B. descriptive text C. non-linear text D. persuasive text
8. It refers to a text form that comes in sentences requiring the reader to read the text, from beginning to the end.
A. descriptive text B. linear text C. non-linear text D. persuasive text
For items number 9- 12, refer to the non-linear text below.

SANTO'S FAMILY BUDGET

food emergency fund Utility bills Transportation Education

25%

50%
10%

10%
5%

9. Which item composes the 5% of the total budget?

A. Education B. Emergency fund C. Transportation D. Utility bills
10. Which item receives the biggest share in the family's budget?
A. Education B. Food C. Transportation D. Utility bills
11. Which item is ¼ of the total expenses?
A. Education B. Food C. Transportation D. Utility bills
12. What conclusion can you make out of the data presented in the chart?
A. The family does not have a car.
B. The family saves much for emergency expenses.
C. Fifty percent (50%) of the family's budget is spent on food.
D. Most of the family members are still studying in high school.

For items number 13-15, identify non-linear representations below.

13. 14. 15.

.
A. Venn Diagram A. Venn Diagram A. Venn Diagram
B. bar graph B. Bar graph B. Pie Chart
C. line graph C. Line graph C. Line graph
D. Pie Chart D. Pictograph D. Bar graph