READING AND WRITING

MODULE 4
LESSON 1: CLASSIFICATION

✓ Classification paragraphs group items into categories, to establish a clear distinction.

✓ If the topic encompasses a large body of information, one effective way of elaborating it is
through classifying things of distinct features into groups/classes.

✓ Classification groups items into categories to establish a clear distinction between related or
similar ideas. Similar items are grouped into categories for the readers to better understand
and analyze the material at hand.

In a classification paragraph you tell readers how a collection of items can be sorted into
categories. It is an activity of sorting items (people, things , ideas ) into categories.

1. Terms that signal classification

aspects kinds qualities traits
types areas levels systems

2. Transitional Expressions
can be divided
can be classified
can be categorized
the first type
Activity 1: Read the paragraph below and answer the questions that follow.

Types of Friends Friends can be classified according to their honesty ,

loyalty , the type that fits you into their schedule , or the type that finds time for
you when they need something. An honest friend tells you the truth even if it’s
not always what you want to hear. In the long run , that honest friend may have
saved you from embarrassment or possibly rejection. They give you constructive
criticisms overall. The loyal friend is the type of friend that will be there for you
through thick and thin. They don’t care how good or bad you may look one day;
they are sensitive to your feelings , they respect you and the other people in your
life, and most of all they will never let you down when times are hard. They may
be what you call a best friend. The third group, the person that fits you into their
schedule , is the type of person that is always on the go. They barely have time for
themselves let alone another person. More than likely they will not be there for
you when you need them most, because they are so wrapped up in their busy ,
hectic life. Then you have the self-absorbent type of friend that finds time for you
only when they need something. This type of person isn’t what you would call a
friend. This person may always be extremely nice to you because they know that
from being nice they will more than likely get what they want. They will call you
every once in a while when it is almost time for them to use that person again. It
may be for a ride to work, home or they just want somebody to hangout with
because they have no other friends. If the person that is being used is smart they
will eventually realize that they are getting used and will stop being there for that
person. ( Amy Neil, 2005) Comprehension Questions

1. What are the three types of friends?

2. What basis is used by the author to classify friends?

3. How does the author develop the classification essay?

LESSON 2. CAUSE AND EFFECT

✓ A cause is what makes a particular thing happen.

✓ An effect is what results from a particular situation, activity, or behavior.

✓ A paragraph developed by causal analysis must not only raise the question why, but also give
answers to the satisfaction of the reader.

Cause and Effect paragraphs are written for the following purposes:
• to discuss why a certain phenomenon occurs
• to discuss the results of a phenomenon, event, feeling or action
• to understand a situation
• to solve a problem
• to predict an outcome
• to entertain
• to persuade

Some of the signal words used in this type of paragraph are the following:
• For • Because
• Since • Due to
• So • But
• For this reason
• As a result
• Therefore
• Thu
• Consequently
• Otherwise
Activity 1: Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
The Influence of Video Games to Children
Video games have been a part of children’s life for the past few decades. It all started
when Atari came up with its first gaming consul, which included a very simple game of tennis.
The controller had just 1 stick and 1 button to play with. Now, we have many different types of
consuls available in the market with very complex games that requires controllers with two or
more sticks and a variety of buttons. Video games are almost second nature to the modern
children and they are more comfortable playing them. Playing video games can have many
different effects (both positive as well as negative) on children. Some of this effects include
increasing hand eye coordination and increasing dexterity mental skills; a decrease interest in
other interest such as studies and sports ; and a very negative effect of inducing violence.
One of the most positive effects of video games is increasing the dexterity of a child and
improving his or her hand eye coordination. As mentioned earlier, the new video games that are
coming out are extremely complex and they involve the movement of many different kinds of
sticks and buttons on the controllers. These can be very good for children as they learn to make
the fast connections between what they see and what their hands and fingers are doing. This
allows them to think quickly and improves their reflexes. The newest games are very precision-
based and it takes very minute and accurate movements for the children to control the
characters. This helps in making the children much more a depth at handling and operating real-
life machinery and objectives.
Another effect that playing video games have on children is that they tend to get addicted
to playing this games and give them foremost priority. This takes the children away from their
other responsibilities, such as doing house chores, homework, and other physical activities.
Children also end at spending more time playing video games in front of television screens than
playing real and actual sports that involve physical exercise. This in turn can have many health
related problems for children, as they can get obese if they don’t exercise ad stay home playing
video games. This is perhaps the worst negative effect that video games can have on children.
Parents and educators all over the world are concern about this phenomenon and they are urging
the children to not spend so much time playing video games. Many new video games consuls,
such as the new Nintendo WII have come out with games that require users to actually get up
and move.
 Many researchers have talked about the effects of viewing violence in the media and how
it affects children. Video games takes this to another level, where the children are actually
participating in being violent in the video games. There are many games out there that allow
children to play arm bearing characters who can kill anyone that they want, steal cars, and
commit many different kinds of crime. These games can have negative implications on the
children as they get immune to the idea of committing crime and end up believing that it is alright.
Research still on going on this negative effect and it has not entirely been proven or disproven as
of yet.
We find that plain video games can have various effects on children, both positive as well
as negative. Even though children can benefit by increasing their dexterity and improving their
reflexes, the cost of them losing out on their physical exercise and homework, as well as their
becoming prone to violent acts, are way too much. It is important that the parents and educators
take up this problem seriously and enable certain rules and regulations that allow children to
divide their time responsively between playing video games and completing their studies and
other responsibilities.

(Source: www.tailoredessays.com/samples/video-games-affect-children-essay.htm)

Comprehension Questions
1. Why are video games popular with children?

2. What are the positive effects of playing video games?

3. What are the negative effects of playing video games?

LESSON 3: PROBLEM-SOLUTION

✓ In composition writing, problem-solution is a method for analyzing and writing about a topic
by identifying a problem and proposing one or more solutions.

✓ Problem-solution paragraphs as the term implies, presents and identifies a problem and
proposes possible solution/s.

In composing this type of essay, you must present an argument or stand and support it
with reliable evidence in order to persuade the readers to make a particular move or action
(Kemper et.al, 2016).
According to Soles (2010), topics for problem-solution essays “are typically framed in
the form of questions.” Problem-solution essay can provide answers to 5W and 1H (who, what,
when, where, why, and how) questions. Soles (2010) added that this type of essay has
essentially two parts: “a full explanation of the nature of the problem, followed by an analysis
of solutions and their likelihood of success.”
Structure of paragraphs in a problem-solution essay:
Nordquist (1995) suggested the following structure of a problem-solution paper that may serve
as a guide on what to include in this type of essay:
1. Introduction. At the forefront of the essay, the introduction must serve to capture the
reader’s attention. This may contain the thesis statement wherein the problem or topic at hand
is presented. This is where the problem is defined, and the reason why it is significant to a
specific group of people (or the target audience).
2. Problem Paragraph. This paragraph/s will dwell on the elaboration of the problem,
effectively conveying the importance of a solution. You may present reliable sources and
evidence to support your stand.
3. Solution Paragraph. Present and describe a concrete solution to the problem. Explain how
this solution is better than other probable solutions.
4. Conclusion. Conclude the essay with connection between the problem and its proposed
solution.
Activity 1: Directions: Read the passage below and complete the graphic organizer that follows.
Deforestation is a serious problem because it destroys forests—and forests and trees are
not just pretty to look at, they do an important job making the earth´s environment suitable for
life. They clean the air, store water, preserve oil, and provide homes for animals. They also supply
food, fuel, wood products, and paper products for humans. In the past fifty years, more than half
of the world´s rainforests have been destroyed.
Today, all around the world, deforestation continues, the world´s climate may change,
floods may become more common, and animals will die. One solution to the problem of
deforestation is to use less paper. If you use less paper, fewer trees will be cut for paper making.
How can you use less paper? One answer is to reduce your paper use by using both sides of the
paper when you photocopy, write a letter, or write an essay. A second answer is to reuse old
paper when you can, rather than using a new sheet of paper. The backs of old envelopes are
perfect for shopping list or phone messages, and when you write a rough draft of an essay, write
it on the back of something else. A final answer is to recycle used paper products instead of
throwing them away. Most schools, offices, and districts have some kind of recycling center. If
you follow "the three Rs"- reduce, reuse, and recycle-you can help save the world´s forest.