Reading and Writing Skills

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Properties of a Well-Written Text

Properties of a Well-Written Text

At the end of the module, the student is expected to:

1. Identify the properties of a well-written text
a. Organization
b. Coherence and Cohesion
c. Language Use
d. Mechanics
2. Write a well-written composition

Properties of a Well-Written Text

One of the most important elements in writing is the form or structure. It is
worth noting that without a solid structure in place, the content you have
gathered would fall apart. After constructing an outline and writing your first
draft, it is time to get on to paragraph writing.
A paragraph is a group of related sentences that leads to a single topic or
idea.
An effective paragraph is characterized by unity, coherence and emphasis
(Dagdag, 2010).
Unity
An effective paragraph shows the unity of the sentences used in developing
the main idea. A paragraph is made up of the topic sentence which contains
the main idea, the supporting details and the conclusion or the clinching
sentence at the end.

Parts of a paragraph
 Topic sentence – reveals the main or central idea of the paragraph. It
does not necessarily have to be placed at the beginning of the
paragraph. It may be found in the middle of the first and the last
sentence or at the end. If it is found at the end of the paragraph, it may
be used as a clinching or concluding sentence.

Take the paragraph below as an example:

Oceans and lakes have much in common, but they are also quite
different. Both are bodies of water, but oceans are very large bodies of
salt water, while lakes are much smaller bodies of fresh water. Lakes
are usually surrounded by land, while oceans are what surround
continents. Both have plants and animals living in them. The ocean is
home to the largest animals on the planet, whereas lakes support
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 much smaller forms of life. When it is time for a vacation, both will
make a great place to visit and enjoy.

The topic sentence is placed at the beginning of the paragraph that

tells about the similarities and differences that exist between oceans
and lakes.

Oceans and lakes have much in common, but they are also quite
different.

This limits the idea that can be written in a paragraph. Since the
paragraph opens with the insinuation that oceans and lakes have lots
of similarities and differences, the scope of the paragraph cannot go
beyond this. This scope gives you an idea when to stop writing about a
certain topic. In this case, you cannot elaborate on other bodies of
water such as rivers and seas.

The controlling idea refers to the word/s that limit/s the discussion of
the subject. (Dagdag, 2010)

 Supporting details – gives the paragraph life as it elaborates on the

scope given by the topic sentence. The paragraph development or the
method in writing the supporting details of your paragraph will be
further discussed in the next few lessons.

Consider the sample paragraph below:

People often install a kitty door, only to discover that they have a
problem. The problem is their cat will not use the kitty door. There
are several common reasons why cats won’t use kitty doors. First,
they may not understand how a kitty door works. They may not
understand that it is a little doorway just for them. Second, many kitty
doors are dark and cats cannot see to the other side. As such, they
can’t be sure of what is on the other side of the door, so they won’t
take the risk. One last reason cats won’t use kitty doors is because
some cats don’t like the feeling of pushing through and then having
the door drag across their back. But don’t worry—there are solutions
to this problem.

The first step in solving the problem is to prop the door open with
tape. This means your cat will now be able to see through to the other
side; your cat will likely begin using the kitty door immediately. Once
your cat has gotten used to using the kitty door, remove the tape.
Sometimes cats will continue to use the kitty door without any more
prompting. If this does not happen, you will want to use food to bribe
your cat. When it’s feeding time, sit on the opposite side of the door
from your cat and either click the top of the can or crinkle the cat food
bag. Open the door to show your cat that it is both you and the food
waiting on the other side of the door. Repeat this a couple times, and
then feed your cat. After a couple days of this, your kitty door problem
will be gone.
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Properties of a Well-Written Text

The paragraph above tells the probable solutions to make pet cats use
a kitty door. The steps given by the author supports the main idea
which is the problems related to kitty doors.

 Clinching sentence – closes your paragraph. According to Dagdag

(2010), this “may be a restatement of the topic sentence, a summary,
or a conclusion based on the supporting details.” Connecting the topic
sentence and supporting details alone will not make a united
paragraph. These parts must also coincide with the closing sentence
which will determine the reader’s understanding of the paragraph.

In the given paragraph below, try to spot the clinching sentence:

Why are some parts of the world rich while other parts are poor? It
isn’t brains. No place is dumber than Hollywood, yet its residents are
wading in gravy. Meanwhile in Russia, where chess is a spectator
sport, the people are boiling stone for a soup. Natural resources aren’t
the secret either. Impoverished Africa has gold, uranium and oil.
Affluent Holland has none of those, and half of her place is even under
water. Actually, we know the answer—and if people would just open
their eyes to it, the whole world could be rich. All this would be
possible because of a simple lesson in history: free markets work.

The clinching sentence at the end of the paragraph states: All this
would be possible because of a simple lesson in history: free
markets work. In this paragraph, the clinching sentence is used to
conclude.

Coherence
A well-written paragraph has continuity. The transition of one word to
another, and a sentence to another must make sense for the reader to follow
your thoughts. The ideas must stick together.
A sequential flow of ideas is needed to keep the reader’s interest. Ideas
mistakenly linked together will lead to confusion.
Coherence may be achieved through two methods: following a definite order
of ideas or through the use of structural devices. These are the following:
 Orderly Movement
A. Chronological Order – an orderly arrangement of ideas which is
according to what came first. This may be from past to present,
earliest to latest, and so on. This type of order is often used in
narratives, process description and historical accounts.

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 B. Space Order – is where ideas are arranged from the nearest to
farthest, inside to outside, left to right, and other orders relating to
space.
C. Logical Order – there are two types of logical order in which a
writer may use to expand his ideas, without using neither
chronology or space.
a. Deduction order – arranges the supporting details from the
general idea to the specific. (Topic sentence to supporting
details)
b. Induction order – on the other hand, starts from the specific
idea/s before expanding to the general one. (Supporting
details to the topic sentence)

 Structural Devices

Continuity of paragraphs may be achieved through the following

strategies:

o Clear use of a pronoun referring to a key noun in the first

sentence

The use of a pronoun must have a clear antecedent. The

pronouns used must clearly represent or refer to a subject.
Pronouns may be classified into three: personal (I, me, you,
she, her, he, him), demonstrative (this, that, these, those) and
relative (who, whose, whom, which, that). (Dagdag, 2010)

How does clear referencing of pronouns help in ensuring

continuity and coherence in the paragraph? It lets the reader
follow the things, people, and events referred to in each
sentence.

o Repetition of key words

Repetition emphasizes the importance of the main idea. To
achieve coherence, the writer puts the idea and its synonyms
several times on his/her paragraphs. These words will
eventually form an interconnected web of related ideas.
o Use of transitional expressions or devices.

Considered as vital for essays and compositions, transitional

devices are used to relate one sentence to another, forming a
logical organization of thoughts.

SmartWord.org gave the following guide in using transitional

words and phrases:

 To express agreement, to add ideas and to express

similarity:

in the first place

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Properties of a Well-Written Text

not only ... but also

as a matter of fact
in like manner
in addition
coupled with
in the same fashion / way
first, second, third
in the light of
not to mention
to say nothing of
equally important
by the same token
again
to
and
also
then
equally
identically
uniquely
like
as
too
moreover
as well as
together with
of course
likewise
comparatively
correspondingly
similarly
furthermore
additionally

 To indicate opposition, limitation and contradiction

although this may be true

in contrast
different from
of course ..., but
on the other hand
on the contrary
at the same time
in spite of
even so / though
be that as it may
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 then again
above all
in reality
after all
but
(and) still
unlike
or
(and) yet
while
albeit
besides
as much as
even though
although
instead
whereas
despite
conversely
otherwise
however
rather
nevertheless
nonetheless
regardless
notwithstanding

 To present or state cause, condition, or purpose

in the event that

granted (that)
as / so long as
on (the) condition (that)
for the purpose of
with this intention
with this in mind
in the hope that
to the end that
for fear that
in order to
seeing / being that
in view of
If
... then
unless
when
whenever
while
because of
as
since
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Properties of a Well-Written Text

while
lest
in case
provided that
given that
only / even if
so that
so as to
owing to
inasmuch as
due to

 To give examples, support, or emphasis

in other words
to put it differently
for one thing
as an illustration
in this case
for this reason
to put it another way
that is to say
with attention to
by all means
important to realize
another key point
first thing to remember
most compelling evidence
must be remembered
point often overlooked
to point out
on the positive side
on the negative side
with this in mind
notably
including
like
to be sure
namely
chiefly
truly
indeed
certainly
surely
markedly
such as
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 especially
explicitly
specifically
expressly
surprisingly
frequently
significantly
particularly
in fact
in general
in particular
in detail
for example
for instance
to demonstrate
to emphasize
to repeat
to clarify
to explain
to enumerate

 To display the effect, consequence or result

as a result
under those circumstances
in that case
for this reason
in effect
for
thus
because the
then
hence
consequently
therefore
thereupon
forthwith
accordingly
henceforth

 To state the conclusion, summary, or restatement

as can be seen
generally speaking
in the final analysis
all things considered
as shown above
in the long run
given these points
as has been noted
in a word
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Properties of a Well-Written Text

for the most part

after all
in fact
in summary
in conclusion
in short
in brief
in essence
to summarize
on balance
altogether
overall
ordinarily
usually
by and large
to sum up
on the whole
in any event
in either case
all in all
Obviously
Ultimately
Definitely

 To express time, chronology, sequence

at the present time

from time to time
sooner or later
at the same time
up to the present time
to begin with
in due time
as soon as
as long as
in the meantime
in a moment
without delay
in the first place
all of a sudden
at this instant
first, second
immediately
quickly
finally
after
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 later
last
until
till
since
then
before
hence
since
when
once
about
next
now
formerly
suddenly
shortly
henceforth
whenever
eventually
meanwhile
further
during
in time
prior to
forthwith
straightaway
by the time
whenever
until now
now that
instantly
presently
occasionally

 To indicate space, location and place

in the middle
to the left/right
in front of
on this side
in the distance
here and there
in the foreground
in the background
in the center of
adjacent to
opposite to
here
there
next
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Properties of a Well-Written Text

where
from
over
near
above
below
down
up
under
further
beyond
nearby
wherever
around
between
before
alongside
amid
among
beneath
beside
behind
across

References
Include list of books, journals and other online references that you used in
writing the module. Titles of sources should be written out in full. Use the
Reference Style for all reference items you will include.
Example :
Kerlinger, F.N. (1973). Foundations of behavioural research, 2nd Ed. New
York: Holt, Rinehard and Winston, Inc.
Kerlinger, F.N. (1973). Foundations of behavioural research, 2nd Ed. New
York: Holt, Rinehard and Winston, In

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