READING AND WRITING SKILLS

A composition can either be a paragraph or an essay. A paragraph is a group of interrelated sentences that talk about
one main idea while an essay is a group of paragraphs that talk about one central idea.
Paragraph Essay
Organized around a topic sentence Organized around a thesis statement
Contains introductory sentence Contains introductory paragraph
Uses sentences to explain major points Uses paragraphs to explain major points
May use concluding sentence Always uses a concluding paragraph

A paragraph is composed of three major parts: the topic sentence, the body which consists of the supporting details,
and the closing sentence.

Consider the example:

In their book, Wilbert McKeachie and Marilla Svinicki described four types of challenging students. The first type is
the attention-seeking, discussion dominating students. The aim of these students is just to be heard. The second type
is the inattentive students. These are the students who doodle and drift off into their own thoughts during class
discussion. They often stare at their cell phones and chat with their classmates during lecture. The third type is
composed of the unprepared students who are characterized as the ones who skip doing their assignments prior to the
class. They do not come to class equipped, even when they are aware of scheduled quizzes and exams. The last type
of challenging students is the uncivil and disrespectful ones. They are the ones who display rude behavior . Knowing
these types of challenging students would help teachers manage these behaviors constructively.

Topic Sentence- the central idea of the paragraph; it can be a stand or a comment, an objective statement, or a
question
Supporting details- sentences that clarify and prove the main idea
Closing Sentence -concludes the details that have been presented
Cohesive Devices -transitional devices, pronouns, or repetition of ideas used in order for all of the sentences to be
linked properly
Unlike a paragraph, an essay has a more elaborate structure. It is divided into three general parts, namely the
introduction, body and conclusion. Below are the specific parts of an essay.
I. Introduction
A. Lead or Attention-getter
B. Transitional Statement
C. Thesis Statement
II. Body
A. Major Point 1
1. Minor Detail 1
2. Minor Detail 2
3. Minor Detail 3
B. Major Point 2
1. Minor Detail 1
2. Minor Detail 2
3. Minor Detail 3
C. Major Point 3
1. Minor Detail 1
2. Minor Detail 2
3. Minor Detail 3
III. Conclusion
A. Reiteration of thesis statement
B. Transitional Statement
C. Closing Statement

1. INTRODUCTION
Lead or attention-getter- first statement in the essay which aims to hook the readers
Transitional statement- links the lead to the thesis statement. It generally provides background information on the topic.
Thesis statement- states the main idea or argument of the essay
2. BODY
Body- meat of the essay - discusses the thesis statement in detail through its paragraphs
3. CONCLUSION
Restatement of thesis statement- uses different structure and wording to uphold the language style Transitional statement-
talks about the recommendations, benefits of ideas presented or purpose of writing the essay
Closing statement- used to wrap up the essay
Properties of a Well- Written Text
In order for a paragraph to be effective and easy to understand it should consider the properties of a well-written text such as
organization, coherence and cohesion, unity, language use and mechanics.

1. UNITY- achieved when a paragraph is developed using one idea. In a unified paragraph, all the sentences support the main
idea. Without unity, the text will be confusing.

Text without unity Text with unity

Viral videos circulating online expose the danger in Viral videos circulating online expose the danger in
sensationalist culture: anyone’s life can change in one single
sensationalist culture: anyone’s life can change in one single
post. A like in Facebook can change everything. For example, post. A like in Facebook can change everything. For instance,
the video of the student who verbally abused a guard in LRT the video of the student who verbally abused a guard in LRT
has changed the life of the student. Therefore, people must has drastically altered the future of the student. She was
take note of their actions wherever they may be, because these
bashed by the netizens for her rude behavior, and the hashtag
might be documented and posted online. In addition to that, #AMALAYER, taken after the way she pronounced, “I’m a
everyone must be wary of the things they post, because they liar,” trended soon afterwards. News reports following the
never know who will share it, too. incident soon revealed that the girl has received considerable
flak and has even become a victim of bullying.
2. COHERENCE AND COHESION are achieved when ideas are logically, clearly, and smoothly linked to one another; without
it, the reader may not be able to comprehend the composition.

COHERENCE- can be achieved when the ideas are connected at the conceptual level. It can be seen through well-defended
arguments and organized points.

COHESION- can be achieved when ideas are connected at the sentence level. It can be applied through using transitional
devices to connect ideas among sentences, being consistent in the use of pronouns and by repeating the key words to link all
sentences together.

Examples of transitional devices

 To specify the sequence - again, also, and, then, finally, first, last, moreover, next, still
 To specify time - before, earlier, after a while, afterward, as long as, as soon as, at last
 To specify contrast - although, but, despite, however, in contrast, instead, nevertheless, on the other hand, regardless, yet
 To specify comparison - likewise, similarly, once more
 To specify examples - after all, for example, for instance, such as, indeed, specifically
 To specify cause and effect - as a result, hence, because, therefore, thereupon, thus, for this reason
Text without coherence and cohesion Text with coherence and cohesion
Amelia Earhart was a legendary woman who made her name Amelia Earhart was a legendary woman who made her name
in aviation by setting various records. In 1928, she became in aviation by setting various records. In 1928, she became
famous as the first woman who flew across Atlantic Ocean. famous as the first woman who flew across Atlantic Ocean.
She was only a passenger, with Pilot Wilmer Stultz and co- However, during this time she was only a passenger, with
pilot/mechanic Louis Gordon manning the controls. In 1932, Pilot Wilmer Stultz and co-pilot/mechanic Louis Gordon
she flew on her own over the Atlantic. She flew from manning the controls. In 1932, she finally got to fly on her
Honolulu Hawaii to Oakland California. She became the first own over the Atlantic. She set another record when she flew
person to fly over both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. from Honolulu Hawaii to Oakland California in 1935, thus
Between 1930 and 1935, Earhart set seven women’s speed becoming the first person to fly over both the Atlantic and
and distance aviation though different aircrafts. She Pacific Oceans. Between 1930 and 1935, Earhart set seven
disappeared in 1937 while attempting to fly around the world. women’s speed and distance aviation though different
On board her plane was her only crew member, Fred Noonan. aircrafts.
Extensive search efforts were not able to find a trace of both
aviators.