evaluating written text based on its properties

• Well-written text


  Has the four properties: paragraph organization, coherence and cohesion, language use, and mechanics
• Organization


  • How the ideas in the text are organized or how the paragraph is arranged with its introduction, body, and conclusion
  • Must have a topic sentence or main idea
• Techniques for organizing a paragraph

  1. Sequential order

  2. Spatial order

  3. Complexity order

  4. Listing order
• Coherence


  Helps ideas stick to each other by using techniques like topic sentences, logical sequencing, and defining/narrating/describing/classifying
• Cohesion


  Helps ideas become meaningful by sticking together at the sentence level using transitional devices, pronouns, coordinators/subordinators, and lexical patterning
• Transitional devices


  • Giving emphasis
  • Stating contrast
  • Summarizing
  • Giving examples
  • Adding similar points
  • Proving
  • Showing exception
  • Showing time
• Pronouns


  Words or phrases that substitute for nouns when the reader already knows which noun is being referred to
• Coordinators and subordinators


  Coordinators combine sentences/ideas of equal value, subordinators combine sentences/ideas where one is more important
• Lexical patterning


  Changing the function of a word into another part of speech
• Language use


  Refers to the communicative meaning of language, including style/register, denotative and connotative language, figures of speech, and idiomatic expressions
• Register or style


  • Narrative, persuasive, descriptive, or expository
  • Spoken or written, formal or informal
  • Field, tenor, and mode
• Denotation


  Literal, objective, and constant meaning of a word
• Connotation


  Non-literal, subjective association of a word that can be negative, neutral, or positive
• Figures of speech


  Intentional deviations from literal statement or common usage to create a literary effect
• Denotation


  The literal, dictionary definition of a word
• Connotation


  The deeper, implied meaning of a word when used in context
• Characteristics of Denotation


  • Literal
  • Objective
  • Applied Constantly
• Denotative meaning is the literal meaning or definition of a word from the dictionary
• Connotative meaning is the deeper meaning or implication of a word when used in a text
• Figure of Speech


  Any intentional deviation from literal statement or common usage that emphasizes, clarifies, or embellishes both written and spoken language
• Common Figures of Speech

  • Simile
  • Metaphor
  • Personification
  • Hyperbole
  • Oxymoron
• Simile


  Comparing things, ideas, and persons figuratively with the use of the words 'like' or 'as'
• Metaphor


  Comparing things figuratively without using the words 'like' or 'as'
• Personification


  Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects
• Hyperbole


  Exaggerating statements to create a literary effect
• Oxymoron


  Placing two opposite words together
• Idiomatic Expression


  Expressions that do not give the literal meaning of the words but have a figurative meaning
• Idiomatic Expressions


  • Break a leg (wishing a person good luck)
  • You are the apple of my eye (the person whom you loved most)
• Mechanics


  The rules and technicalities that assist with readability, clarity, and flow in writing, including spelling, punctuation, and capitalization
• Editing for Mechanics


  1. Checking for spelling errors

  2. Checking for punctuation errors

  3. Checking for capitalization errors
• The pronoun 'I' should always be capitalized
• Proper nouns like names of persons, places, holidays, days, and months should be capitalized
• The first letter of a sentence should be capitalized
• Sentences should end with a period, questions should end with a question mark, and items in a series should be separated by commas
• When in doubt about spelling, consult a dictionary
• March 13, 2020 marked the last day that students and teachers reported to school for the 2019-2020 school year
• The whole country was put in lockdown due to the threat of COVID-19
• Quarantine protocols became the best remedy for the COVID-19 health crisis
• Certain sectors and establishments were considered essential and allowed to operate during the lockdown
• Quarantine protocols included temperature checks, use of hand sanitizers, disinfection, physical distancing, and restrictions on certain age groups