Lesson 4: Properties of a Well-Written Text

• Properties of a Well-Written Text

  1. Organization
  2. Coherence & Cohesion
  3. Language Use
  4. Language Mechanics
• Organization

  • Refers to the arrangement of ideas in a text.
  • Logical and accurate
• Physical Format


  How the text physically appears (e.g. spacing, division of paragraphs)
• Signal Words


  Help transition from one idea to another.
• Structure


  The framework of the text (e.g. narrative, descriptive, cause-effect).
• Cohesion


  The grammatical and lexical relationship between different elements of a text which hold it together.
• Coherence


  Relationship of ideas between sentences and its overall unity.
• True or False: A paragraph may be cohesive (in terms of grammar) but not coherent (in terms of relevance to the topic).

  ANSWER: True
• How to Arrange Details:

  1. Chronological Order - details are arranged in the order in which they happened.
  2. Spatial Order - details are arranged according to location (e.g. left to right, top to bottom).
  3. Emphatic Order - details are arranged to emphasize certain points depending on the writer’s purpose.
• Signal Devices


  Words that give readers an idea how the points in the paragraphs are progressing.
• Types of Signal Devices

  1. Transitions
  2. Repetition
  3. Synonyms
  4. Pronouns
• Time


  first, afterwards, before, at the same time, earlier, later|
• Sequence


  furthermore, moreover, next, also, then, first, besides
• Space


  above, next to, below, behind, beside
• Illustration


  for instance, specifically, for example, in this case
• Comparison


  similarly, also, in the same way, likewise, in comparison
• Contrast


  but, however, on the other hand, on the contrary, although
• Cause & Effect


  as a result, then, consequently, so, since, because
• Repetition

  • It could be a word, phrase, or a full sentence, or a poetic line repeated to emphasize its significance in the entire text.
  • Repetition of main ideas keep continuity and highlight important ideas.
• Synonyms


  These are words that are similar in meaning to important words or phrases that prevent tedious repetitions.
• Pronouns

  These are words that connect readers to the original words that pronouns replace.
• Language Use

  • Appropriateness of word or vocabulary usage
  • Informal and formal use
• Language Mechanics


  Correct and proper use of spelling, punctuation marks, and capitalization.
• 3 Factors in Language Mechanics

  1. Spelling - correct spelling and consistent use of one standard (ex.: color - US English; colour - UK English).
  2. Punctuation - using punctuation based on the impact and thought a writer wants to emphasize in the text.
  3. Capitalization - capitalizing proper nouns and titles.