READING AND WRITING

Lesson 1: Text as
Connected
Discourse
 Lesson Objectives
1. Describes written text as a connected discourse.

2. Reflect the importance of text and discourse in

reading text.

3. Apply the purpose of text and discourse in five

major text types through reading and writing.
WHAT IS A text?
A text is generally considered as
written material, especially longer
pieces of writing as in a book, a
letter or a newspaper.

A group of ideas put together to

make a point or one central idea.
WHAT IS A DISCOURSE?
• Text with distinct features and
purpose.
• Formal and often lengthy discussion
of as topic where concepts and
insights are arranged in an
organized and logical manner.
• Convey meanings, propel actions
and provoke a specific response.
Text as connected
discourse
 A text is a connected discourse
which means that all ideas in text
must be related in the sense that
they would express only one main
idea, or that the text must have
unity combining all ideas to
emphasize central idea.
 Five Major Text Types
1.Descriptive
2.Narrative
3.Directive/Instructive
4.Expository
5.Argumentative
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 Descriptive
Descriptive text should be
• Concrete
• Evocative
• Plausible
Ex.
“Her last smile to me wasn’t a sunset. It was an eclipse, the last eclipse,
noon dying away to darkness where there would be no dawn.”

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 Narrative
Essentially, the purpose of narrative texts is to tell a
story. A narrative text can be imaginary, factual or a
combination of both.

Ex.
It was my wedding day, we were getting ready and there wasn’t a cloud in the
sky. Bruno walks in with that mischievous grin, and he said it looks like rain. In
doing so, he floods my brain.

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 Directive/Instructive
Directive texts are concerned with concrete
future activity. Central to these texts are
imperatives or forms which substitute for them,
such as polite questions.

Ex. (Would you hand me the paper?) or

suggestive remarks (I wonder what the paper
says about the weather).
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 Expository
Expository texts identify and characterize
phenomena. They include text forms such as
definitions, explications, summaries and many types
of essay.
Example:
"Photosynthesis is a vital process for plants, where they convert sunlight into energy.
During this natural phenomenon, plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to
produce glucose and oxygen. The chlorophyll in plant cells plays a crucial role in capturing
sunlight and facilitating the conversion of these basic elements into essential nutrients
for the plant's
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growth."
 Argumentative

Argumentative texts depart from the

assumption that the receiver’s beliefs must be
changed. They also include advertising texts,
which try to persuade their readers that a
product is somehow better, at least implicitly,
than others.
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 Argumentative

"Recycling is not just a choice; it's a responsibility that

we all share to protect our environment. By recycling,
we reduce the amount of waste in landfills, conserve
resources, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet.
It's time to reconsider our habits and make recycling a
priority in our daily lives."

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 Reading Strategies
• Skimming

• Previewing

• Scanning

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 Skimming
It is use to quickly gather the most
important information, or “gist” of a
text. Run your eyes over the text,
noting important information.
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 Previewing
It is a strategy that readers use to recall prior
knowledge and set a purpose for reading. It calls for
readers to skim a text before reading, looking for
various features and information that will help as
they return to read it in detail later.

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 Scanning
It is also use to find a particular piece
of information. Run your eyes over
the text looking for the specific piece
of information you need.
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 TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE
COMPREHENSION AND PACE
• Understanding context clues
• Using appropriate meaning

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 Context Clues
are hints found within a sentence,
paragraph, or passage that a reader
can use to understand the meanings
of new or unfamiliar words.
 Several types of context clues
• Definition
• Example
• Synonym
• Antonym
• Mood
• Analysis
• Inference
 Definition
The new term may be formally defined, or sufficient
explanation may be given within the sentence or in the
following sentence. Clues to definition include “that is,”
commas, dashes, and parentheses.

Ex.
His emaciation, that is, his skeleton-like appearance, was
frightening to see.

“Skeleton-like appearance” is the definition of “emaciation.”

 Examples
Sometimes when a reader finds a new
word, an example might be found
nearby that helps to explain its meaning.
Ex.
Piscatorial creatures, such as flounder, salmon, and trout,
live in the coldest parts of the ocean.

“Piscatorial” obviously refers to fish.

 Synonym
The reader may discover the meaning of an unknown word
because it repeats an idea expressed in familiar words nearby.
Synonyms are words with the same meaning.

Ex.
The mountain pass was a tortuous road, winding and
twisting like a snake around the trees of the mountainside.

“Tortuous” means “winding and twisting.”

 Antonym
Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. An opposite
meaning context clue contrasts the meaning of an unfamiliar
word with the meaning of a familiar term.

Ex.
When the light brightens, the pupils of the eyes contract;
however, when it grows darker, they dilate.

“Dilate” means the opposite of “contract.”

 Mood
The author sets a mood, and the meaning of
the unknown word must harmonize with the
mood.
Ex.
The lugubrious wails of the gypsies matched the dreary
whistling of the wind in the all but-deserted cemetery.

“Lugubrious,” which means “sorrowful,” fits into the mood

set by the words “wails,” “dreary,” and “deserted cemetery.”
 Analysis
The parts used to construct a word can be direct clues to
meaning. Knowledge of prefixes, roots, and suffixes can aid a
reader in using this type of context clue.

Ex.
The story is incredible.

The root cred means “to believe,’ and the prefix in means
“not.” Therefore, if a story is incredible, it is unbelievable.
 Inference
Sufficient clues might be available for the careful reader to
make an educated guess at the meaning.

Ex.
She told her friend, “I’m through with blind dates forever.
What a dull evening! I was bored every minute. The
conversation was absolutely vapid.”

“Vapid” means “uninteresting.”