LESSON PACKET

SUBJECT: Reading and Writing Skills MODULE: 1

ESSENTIAL TOPIC: Text as a Connected Discourse
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this module, students will be able to:
1. Explain the differences text and discourse;
2. Describe the characteristics of a well-written text; and
3. Evaluate an essay based on the properties of a well-written text.

DISCUSSION

Reading as a Connected Discourse

It is necessary for you to know the meaning of text and discourse to better understand
reading as a connected discourse. A text, in the traditional sense, is a set of written words,
phrases, and sentences that are coherently combined to convey a central idea to its readers.
That definition, however, is quite myopic in part because it excludes other meaning-making
visuals, such as posters and audiovisual presentations. A more inclusive definition of text
nowadays is that it is something–anything–that expresses meaning to the individual examining
it. Meaning, while texts are traditionally presented either in printed forms (as in books,
newspapers, and magazines) or digitally through websites, materials such as posters, movies,
songs, advertisements, and maps still fall under the wide, encompassing umbrella that is text.

Discourse, on the other hand, is an extended expression of ideas about a certain topic.
It is of two types: written and oral, which means speeches, lectures, and even everyday
conversations can be considered as discourse. Your teacher elaborating the points in this
module is also discourse, as is your kuwentuhan with your friends.

That being said, the focus of this module is on written discourse, and examples of it are
the following: novels, articles, essays, magazines, short stories, and so many more. In addition,
since discourse is a discussion on connected ideas and topics, even email exchanges,
comment threads, and social media posts can be considered as discourse.

Reading, meanwhile, is the process of decoding the meaning of written symbols

presented in a text. As you read, you "connect" with the text. This connection involves your
background knowledge and experience that you use to decode and understand the meaning of
the text. Hence, reading is said to be a connected discourse between the reader and the text.

Reading as a connected discourse involves three stages: pre-reading, while reading,

and post-reading. You activate your previous knowledge during the pre-reading stage. You also
set your expectations and search for possible clues to help you identify your purpose for
reading. You may read the title and subtitle of the text or look for pictures, tables, and figures
that can give you an idea of what the text is all about.

During the while reading stage, you connect your previous knowledge and experience
as you decode and understand the meaning of the text that you read. You also use reading
strategies such as scanning, skimming, getting the meaning of unfamiliar words through context
clues, and annotating to help you comprehend the text.

You are able to finally find a connection between what you already know and the
concepts and ideas that you have just gained from the text during the post-reading stage. You
summarize, reflect, and draw conclusions based on the information that you learned. It is also
during this stage that you are able to evaluate the text and decide on whether or not to agree
with it.

Properties of a Well-written Text

The primary aim of writing is to convey information to the intended readers. You write
because you want to share ideas that you believe can help your readers be informed, inspired,
or entertained. But for that to happen, your text will need to have both unity and connectedness.

Unity, in this case, means that all parts of your text, from the first sentence to the very
last one, serve one purpose only: to elaborate or expound on the main idea you want to convey.
Connectedness, on the other hand, means being able to weave your ideas in such a way that
they flow logically from one point to the next to ensure that they are, as a whole, making sense.

Now, to ensure that these ideas are unified and connected, you will need to make sure
that your composition has all the properties of a well-written text, which are organization,
coherence and cohesion, language use, and mechanics. With all these, your readers can easily
and clearly understand your message because you have provided them with a well-written text.

Organization

Organization refers to the logical arrangement of ideas in a text. You should present
your thoughts logically to make it easier for your readers to comprehend the message that you
wish to impart.

A written text is usually divided into three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion. The
introduction presents the central or main idea, or the central point or thought that you as the
writer intend to convey. The main idea is further elaborated and explained in the body of the
text. The conclusion provides a closure to the text by summarizing or highlighting the points
presented in the body.

You may either present your ideas deductively or inductively. Deductive organization
expresses the main idea presented through a topic sentence-the sentence that states your main
idea-at the beginning of the text. The details, examples, and illustrations that support and clarify
the main idea are presented in the sentences that follow. As such, deductive organization
proceeds from general ideas to specific ideas.

Inductive organization, on the other hand, begins with pieces of evidence, details, and
examples to support the main idea, which is presented in the latter part of the text. In other
words, inductive organization proceeds from specific to general ideas.

Most writers use an outline to help them organize their thoughts in a text. An outline is a
framework that helps writers achieve a logical sequence and structure of ideas in a text. A more
detailed discussion on the types of outline and their uses is presented in the next module.

Coherence and Cohesion

Coherence refers to the overall oneness of ideas, sentences, and paragraphs in the
text. It is important to note that coherence does not only mean unity of ideas in the text. Unity is
achieved through the careful selection of relevant ideas in the text whereas coherence is
attained by ensuring that all relevant ideas, sentences, and paragraphs stick together in the text.
You can maintain coherence in the text by using transitional devices that serve as
signposts to signal shifts or movements of ideas in the text. You may use transitional devices
such as moreover, furthermore, in addition to, and also to tell your readers that you are
providing additional information to a previous text. Words like hence, thus, and therefore give
the readers the idea that the text is about to conclude. Transitional devices maintain coherence
and make it easier for your readers to understand the main point you wish to convey in the text.

Cohesion, on the other hand, focuses on the grammatical aspects of writing at the
sentence level. The following sentences show how the principle of cohesion is maintained in
texts:
1. Filipinos need to preserve and promote their cultural heritage amidst modernity and rapid
changes in the society. (The pronoun their is used as a link to refer to the noun Filipinos
previously mentioned in the sentence.)
2. Change is important, but traditions are equally significant to assert the Filipino identity in
the age of globalization. (The word significant links with its synonym important previously
mentioned in the text.)
3. As we preserve our cultural heritage, we preserve our Filipino identity. (The word
preserve previously used in the dependent clause is repeated in the independent clause
to provide a link and to emphasize the writer's message.)

Language Use

Language refers to the medium through which writers transmit the message they intend
to impart to their readers. You can communicate your thoughts and ideas in written text through
the use of language, the main components of which are clarity and conciseness, word choice,
and formality level.

One of the main ways you can meet these components–notably, clarity and conciseness
and word choice to a degree is by using simple, specific, and concrete words and avoiding
general, needless, and redundant words and expressions. For example, the word show is much
simpler than the word demonstrate. The expression in a careful manner may just be written as
carefully. In this case, it is vital to keep in mind always that the goal of effective writing is to
express ideas clearly and not to impress the readers.

The language that you use should also be appropriate to your readers and the context of
your text. Your choice of words and expressions and the manner by which you deliver your
message depend on the age, level of comprehension, and background of your readers. Good
writers know how to adjust the complexity of their language suitable to their target readers.

You also adjust the level of formality of your language depending on the context. For
instance, you use formal language in writing a research report. Neutral language is used when
writing a feature article for a newspaper. You may use informal language when writing a short
greeting to your friend.

Lastly, your word choice will, to a certain point, be influenced considerably by the level of
formality required. The use of formal language, for instance, for a report or research might
require you to use technical terms, especially if you are writing about highly technical subjects,
such as science. In contrast, using informal language, as in correspondences with your friends
or comment threads in social media, will afford you some liberties in the words you can use-so
much that you can even use contractions, slang, and terms of endearment. Sometimes,
code-switching, or switching from one language to another, is permitted in these cases.
Mechanics

Mechanics refers to the conventions that writers follow regarding the correct use of
punctuation marks, spelling, format, capitalization, abbreviation, contractions, acronyms, and
numerals. You need to pay attention to the mechanical correctness of your written text because
this may affect your credibility as a writer. Read and check the final draft of your text before
printing or submitting it. Most computers have spelling and grammar checkers to help you detect
possible errors in the text. You may also ask a critical friend to assist you in checking the
mechanical correctness of your written work.

Reference/s:
Go, R. (2023). Essentials of Reading and Writing Skills. Diwa Learning Systems Inc. Philippines.