ENG102: Reading and Writing

(MIDTERM EXAM COVERAGE)

TYPES OF CLAIMS

1. CLAIM OF FACT
- Makes an assertion about something that can be proved or disproved with factual evidence. 
- A claim of fact for a logical argument cannot simply consist of a statistic or proven fact.
- It needs, instead, to focus on an assertion which uses facts to back it up, but for which the
evidence might still be debatable.
2. CLAIM OF VALUE
- Argues that something is good or bad, or that one thing is better than another thing.
- It is often necessary to establish criteria for goodness or badness in these arguments and then to
apply them to the subject to show why something should be regarded as either good or bad.

3. CLAIM OF POLICY
-argues that certain conditions should exist, or that something should or should not be done, in order
to solve a problem.

4. CLAIM OF CAUSE AND EFFECT

-are propositions based on the concept that one thing influences or causes another.

QUALITIES OF AN EFFECTIVE PARAGRAPH

1. UNITY- means “oneness” of idea

UNITY in the paragraph is achieved by the use of

1. Through the use of Topic Sentence- states the central idea to be developed
2. Through the use of Supporting Details- sentences that help develop or expand the main idea in
the topic sentence.
3. Through the use of the Clinching Sentence- a clinching sentence may be a restatement of the
topic sentence, a summary, or a conclusion.

2. COHERENCE- means “connection” of an idea to another idea

COHERENCE is achieved by Orderly Movement and by using Structural Devices.

ORDERLY MOVEMENT-the proper sequencing of ideas in a paragraph

a. Chronological Order-refers to ordering events in accordance with the time. (Past-Present)

b. Space Order- refers to ordering ideas in accordance with space. (Top to Bottom)
c. Logical Order-refers to progression of thought in a paragraph which the writer judges as
appropriate for expanding a particular topic. (From the most important to the least important)
STRUCTURAL DEVICES
a. Transitional or Signal words and phrases
b. Repetition of keywords or their synonyms

3. EMPHASIS- how important ideas can be made prominent or standout

Ideas in the paragraph are made emphatic through

a. Emphasis through Position- important ideas is given prominence by placing them at the
beginning or at the end of the paragraph.
b. Emphasis through Parallel Grammatical Structures- parallelism refers to similar grammatical
patterns to express ideas in a series.
c. Emphasis through Climatic Order- series of ideas are arranged in an ascending degree of
importance or interest.

MODES OF PARAGRAPH DEVELOPMENT

Narration- comes from the Latin word “narrare” which means “to account or tell”.
- talks about “what happens next”

FOUR BASIC ELEMENTS OF NARRATIVE

1. Setting
2. Character
3. Plot
4. Point of View

FOUR BASIC FEATURES OF NARRATION

● It reveals something of importance (your main point).
● It includes all of the major events of the story.
● It gives details about the major events, bringing the event or experience to life for your readers.
● It presents the events using time order.

CHECKLIST:

My topic sentence states what is important I have included all the important events with
about the event or experience. details so that readers can understand what
happened.

I have included transitions to move readers I have reread the paragraph, making
smoothly from one event to the next. improvements and checking for grammar and
spelling errors.

Description- Answers the question “what is it like?”

- When describing, provide specific details of the most important features and use appropriate adjectives
to describe attributes and qualities.
- It talks about how something looks, sounds, smells, tastes, or, feels like.

FOUR BASIC FEATURES OF DESCRIPTION

  It creates a main impression – an overall effect or image – about the topic.
 It uses specific examples to create the impression.
 It supports the examples with details that appeal to the senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and
touch.
 It brings a person, place, or object to life for the readers.

CHECKLIST:

My topic sentence includes the main I include examples that show the readers what
impression that I want to create for readers. I mean.
I have included transitions to move smoothly I have read the paragraph making improvements
from one example to the next. and checking grammar and spelling errors.

Classification-divides people, places, or things into groups.

-The classification is made normally made according to a criterion or several criteria (standards or
principles on which judgment is based).

FOUR BASIC FEATURES OF CLASSIFICATION

1. The topic has subcategories
2. Each subcategory gives a specific example
3. It gives enough details to support the example
4. It uses enough examples to get the point across

Comparison and Contrast

Compare- similarities
Contrast- differences

Patterns of Comparison and Contrast

Opposing or Block Pattern Alternating Pattern

Subject A First Characteristic

a. First characteristic of A a. Of Subject A
b. Second characteristic of A b. Of Subject B
c. Third characteristic of A and so on
Second Characteristic
a. Of Subject A
Subject B
b. Of Subject B
a. First characteristic of B
b. Second characteristic of B Third Characteristic
c. Third characteristic of B and so on a. Of Subject A
b. Of Subject B
 1. Opposing or Block Pattern- all the characteristics of Subject A are explained fully or
completely before the characteristics of subject B are discussed.
2. Alternating Pattern- the characteristics of Subject A and B are elucidated alternately.

How to evaluate your Comparison and Contrast paragraph?

 I have two subjects that are enough alike to be usefully compared and contrasted.
 My paragraph serves a purpose to help readers either make a decision about two subjects or
understand them.
 I have provided several points of comparison and/or contrast.
 My paragraph has either of the two organizations－ point-by-point or block.
 I have included transitions to move smoothly from one example to the next
 I have read the paragraph making improvements and checking grammar and spelling errors.