READING AND WRITING SKILLS

Type of Exam (Semi-final examination)

I. Modified true or false (40 pts)

II. Acrostic poem (READING AND WRITING) (15 pts)
III. Writing letters (Arrange the letter using the block format) (10 pts)
IV. Essay (10 pts)

Hypertext
It is a way of representing text about a topic where other topics can be linked. A link is generally represented as a
clickable area which will redirect the reader to another resource can contain information about similar or related
topics.
The “World Wide Web” or Internet is based on hypertext links and hypertext documents. In fact, the language
that web pages are written in is HTML - HyperText Markup Language. Hypertext presents a new way to read on-line
text that differs from reading standard linear text. Text is typically presented in a linear form, in which there is a
single way to progress through the text, starting at the beginning and reading to the end. Hypertext presents a new
way to read on-line text that differs from reading standard linear text. Text is typically presented in a linear form, in
which there is a single way to progress through the text, starting at the beginning and reading to the end
The features in hypertext supply flexibility to the reader when compared to reading linear text such as books.
Hypertext permits readers to use these features automatically rather than requiring readers to manually refer to
them as needed. This flexibility does promise an advantage of personalization and eases the burden of finding
information.
Intertext
Derived from the Latin intertexto, meaning to intermingle while weaving, intertextuality is a term first
introduced by French semiotician Julia Kristeva in the late sixties. It is text document which is related to another text
document.
For example, the Latin Vulgate version of the Bible is related to the King James Version. Or as another example, Star
Wars: The Force Awakens is intertext to Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Intertextual figures include: Allusion, pastiche, calque and parody.
1. Pastiche
It is a literary piece that imitates another famous literary work of another writer with the purpose of honoring it and
not mocking it. It is lighthearted but respectful in its imitation.
2. Allusion
It is an indirect reference to somebody or something a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea
of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it
refers is just a passing comment and the writer expects the reader to possess enough knowledge to spot the allusion
and grasp its importance in a text.
Examples:
“Don’t act like Romeo in front of her.”
"The rise in poverty will unlock the Pandora’s box of crimes."
3. Parody
It is an imitation of a particular writer, artist, or a genre, exaggerating it deliberately to produce a comic effect. The
humorous effect in parody is achieved by imitating and overstressing noticeable features of a famous piece of
literature.
4. Calque
It is a loan translation, especially one resulting from bilingual interference in which the internal structure of a
borrowed word or phrase is maintained but its morphemes are replaced by those of the native language.
Example:
Wolkenkrabber (Dutch= cloud scratcher)
Wolkenkratzer (German= cloud scraper)
Moment of Truth (Spanish=el momento de la verdad)

Function of Intertextuality
Majority of the writers borrow ideas from the previous works to give a layer of meaning to their works.
In fact, when readers read the new text with reflection of another literary work, all related assumptions, effects and
ideas of other text provide them a different meaning and changes the technique of interpretation of the original
piece.

Literary criticism
- is the art or practice of judging and commenting on the qualities and character of literary works.
- It is the study, analysis, interpretation and/or evaluation of works of literature. It is essentially an opinion,
supported by evidence, relating to theme, style, setting, historical, or political context. It usually includes
discussion of the work’s content and integrates ideas with other insights gained from research.
- Literary criticism is NOT a plot summary, a biography of the author, or simply finding fault with the literature.
Some ways of analyzing literature are shown below:
1. Moral Criticism – This approach is as old as literature itself, for literature is a traditional mode of imparting
morality, philosophy, and religion. The concern in moral criticism is not only to discover meaning but also to
determine whether works of literature are both true and significant.
2. Historical Criticism - Focuses on examining a text primarily in relation to the historical and cultural conditions of
its production, and also of its later critical interpretations. This approach seeks to understand a literary work by
investigating the social, cultural, and intellectual context that produced it.
3. Biographical Criticism – this approach begins with the simple but central insight that literature is written by
actual people and that understanding an author’s life can help readers more thoroughly comprehend the work.
It focuses on explicating the literary work by using the insight provided by knowledge of the author’s life.
4. Feminist Criticism - Focuses on female representation in literature, paying attention to female points of view,
concerns, and values. This approach focuses on how femininity is represented as being passive and emotional. It
attempts to present a balanced view of the nature and the value of women. It strives to raise the consciousness
about the importance and unique nature of women.

WRITING OFFICE CORRESPONDENCE (LETTERS)

WHAT IS A LETTER?
• One of the most common forms of business correspondence is the business letter. This is a formal message that
is written, typed, or printed and is typically sent from one organization to another party outside the
organization, such as customers, clients, or partners.
• Letters have many uses. They can be used for compliments, complaints, questions, recommendations, or
requests amongst others.

Most letters are written in block, modified block, or semi-block format.

A. Block format

Features all elements of the letter aligned to the left margin of the page. It has a neat and simple appearance.
Paragraphs are separated by a double line space.

B. Modified block differs from block style in that the date, sign off, and signature lines begin at the center
point of the page line. The beginning of each paragraph is indented five spaces, along with the subject
line, if used. Depending on the length of the letter, paragraphs may be separated by a single or double
line space.
C. Semi-block is similar to block but has a more informal appearance. All elements are left-aligned, except
for the beginning of each paragraph, which is indented five spaces. Paragraphs are separated by a double
line space.