READING AND WRITING SKILLS

ACLC COLLEGE OF TACLOBAN

SHS DEPARTMENT

Learner’s Study Guide

Lesson 1
Reading and Writing
Sub-Topics:

1. Definition of Reading
2. Reading Strategies
3. Definition of Writing
4. Writing Process
5. Pre-Writing Strategies

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

a. differentiate text from discourse;
b. define reading;
c. enumerate and familiarize the reading strategies;
d. define writing; and illustrate the process of writing; and, implore pre-
writing strategies in writing.

Definition of Reading

Reading is a cognitive process of decoding symbols to derive meaning from a

text.

Reading Strategies

1. Previewing
- This involves looking at the readily visible parts of the text. One
example is looking at the title of a text and getting a general idea of what
it is about based solely on the title.
- This also involves getting an idea of what a text is about without actually
reading the main body of the text.
When you do previewing, start by reading:
a. the title and author details
b. the abstract (if there is one)
c. read only parts that stand out like main headings or
subheadings, chapter summaries, or any highlighted text
d. examine illustrations or graphs and their captions
e. the first sentence of each paragraph

2. Skimming
- This involves looking at the main point of the reading and identify the
ideas that develop it
- It also involves running your eyes quickly over large chunks of text. This
allows you to locate relevant sections from a large quantity of written
material

How to skim:
a. Note any bold print and graphics

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Learner’s Study Guide

b. Start at the beginning of the reading and glide your eyes over the
text very quickly.
c. Do not actually read the text in total.

3. Scanning
- You read to look for specific information. This is usually done when you
already have a fixed information you want to find out about a text. When
you scan, you go to directly look for the information you need.

How to scan:
a. After gaining an overview and skimming, identify the sections of
the text that you probably need to read.
b. Start scanning the text by allowing your eyes (or finger) to move
quickly over a page.
c. As soon as your eye catches an important word/phrase, stop
reading.

Definition of Writing

Writing is the process of using symbols (letters of the alphabet, punctuation,

and spaces) to communicate thoughts and ideas in a readable form.

Learning to write is a sequential process. Output is important but with the

goal of it in mind, effective writing is considered quality writing. (Dagdag, et.al., 2010)

There are two main characteristics that must be present in writing a text: the
content and the form. It is said that “writing without form is like a human body
without skeleton; writing without content is like a skeleton with no flesh” (Mt.
Edgecumbe 2).

The Writing Process

According to Dagdag (2010), there are six steps in the writing process. These
are the following:

1. Pre-writing – this is also called the invention or brainstorming stage. In

this stage, you narrow your topic into the most important and relevant.
Ask yourself these things before getting to writing: “Why should you write
about this?” and “why should anyone read it?” You may come up with as
many ideas as possible within a given time frame. Some examples to take
note in pre-writing are listing, fast writing, spidering and mapping.
2. Organizing – this stage is vital in incorporating coherence in the transition
of your writing. After exhausting all possible ideas related to a topic, you
may now focus in arranging these ideas and thoughts into a sensible
order.
3. Writing – with a form in place and the content that would go with it, this
is the stage where these ideas would be expressed in complete
sentences and paragraphs.
4. Revising – this is the stage where you polish the order of your ideas and
filter the information needed to get your point across. This is where you
start to look for any mechanical errors and correct them.

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5. Editing – the stage where you go over your written work and check it for
basic errors such as spelling, punctuation and grammar.
6. Writing the final draft – after your work has gone through revisions, you
would now have to write your final draft, which you are ultimately content
with.

These steps comprise the basic writing process. Following each step would
ensure quality written output, regardless of your topic and content.

Pre-Writing Strategies

1. Brainstorming – is also called listing. This is one of the most common

methods of discovering a topic. All you would need is to list or jot down as
much ideas as you can within a given amount of time. It is suggested to start
from general ideas and from there, write down all the possibilities. Tiongson
(2016) explained that brainstorming does not aim for a coherent line of
thoughts but a quantity of options to choose from as your writing topic. After
listing all of them down, make sure to pick the one that best suits your
purpose or reason for writing. It may also be the most interesting out of the
group or simply the one you are most knowledgeable. The selection of topics
may be broad but you may also find unlikely connections between each to
create another possible topic.
2. Clustering – is also called mind mapping or idea mapping. This is a technique
in finding a writing topic wherein you find the relationships between ideas. To
start this method, you must first put a subject forth and enclose it in a circle
or underline it for emphasis. With that subject, think of other ideas that would
link to the single subject and connect those using lines. These new ideas
would also make you think of other related topics and you must also do the
same to link them. These new ideas borne from a main idea are called
subtopics. Clustering would show the relationship between ideas and how a
variety of ideas could fit together. Once you have expanded on a single subject,
forming a web of ideas, you would have learned the development or dissection
of topics.
3. Outlining– Outlining is the process of laying out the main ideas, key
concepts, supporting details, and evidence to be included in the paper.
An outline also determines the order in which these pieces will be presented.

References

Dagdag, L. et.al, (2010), Winning Strategies for Study, Thinking, and Writing
Skills

Introduction to Pre-Writing. Retrieved from:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/673/01/

Prewriting Strategies. Retrieved from:

http://writing.ku.edu/prewritingstrategies

Resources for Writers: The Writing Process. Retrieved from:

http://cmsw.mit.edu/writing-and-
communicationcenter/resources/writers/writing-process/

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ACLC COLLEGE OF TACLOBAN
SHS DEPARTMENT

Learner’s Study Guide

Rubric for Evaluation of the Paragraph. Retrieved from:
https://www.mesacc.edu/~paoih30491/RubricParagraphAssignment.html

Stages of the Writing Process. Retrieved from:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/980/02/

Tiongson, M. A. et.al, (2016), Reading and Writing Skills. Rex Book Store, Inc.

Writing an Outline

For an essay question on a test or a brief oral presentation in class, all you
may need to prepare is a short, informal outline in which you jot down key ideas in
the order you will present them. This kind of outline reminds you to stay focused in
a stressful situation and to include all the good ideas that help you explain or prove
your point.

For a longer assignment, like an essay or a research paper, many college

instructors require students to submit a formal outline before writing a major paper
as a way to be sure you are on the right track and are working in an organized
manner. A formal outline is a detailed guide that shows how all your supporting
ideas relate to each other. It helps you distinguish between ideas that are of equal
importance and ones that are of lesser importance. You build your paper based on
the framework created by the outline.

TIP
Instructors may also require you to submit an outline with your final draft to
check the direction of the assignment and the logic of your final draft. If you are
required to submit an outline with the final draft of a paper, remember to revise
the outline to reflect any changes you made while writing the paper.

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ACLC COLLEGE OF TACLOBAN
SHS DEPARTMENT

Learner’s Study Guide

Two Types of Formal Outlines

a. Topic Outline
A topic outline is the same as a sentence outline except you use
words or phrases instead of complete sentences. Words and phrases keep
the outline short and easier to comprehend.
Here is the topic outline that Mariah constructed for the essay she is
developing. Her purpose is to inform, and her audience is a general audience
of her fellow college students. Notice how Mariah begins with her thesis
statement. She then arranges her main points and supporting details in
outline form using short phrases in parallel grammatical structure.

Fig. 1. Example Topic Outline

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SHS DEPARTMENT

Learner’s Study Guide

Writing an Effective Topic Outline

This checklist can help you write an effective topic outline for your assignment.
It will also help you discover where you may need to do additional reading or
prewriting.

□ Do I have a controlling idea that guides the development of the entire piece of
writing?
□ Do I have three or more main points that I want to make in this piece of
writing? Does each main point connect to my controlling idea?
□ Is my outline in the best order—chronological order, spatial order, or order of
importance—for me to present my main points? Will this order help me get my
main point across?
□ Do I have supporting details that will help me inform, explain, or prove my
main points?
□ Do I need to add more support? If so, where?
□ Do I need to make any adjustments in my working thesis statement before I
consider it the final version?

b. Sentence Outline
A sentence outline does all of this, plus it shows exactly what you will
say about each mini-topic. Each sentence, instead of simply identifying a
mini-topic, is like a mini-thesis statement about that mini-topic. It expresses
the specific and complete idea that that section of the paper will cover as part
of proving the overall thesis.

A sentence outline is the same as a topic outline except you use

complete sentences instead of words or phrases. Complete sentences create
clarity and can advance you one step closer to a draft in the writing process.

Here is the sentence outline that Mariah constructed for the essay she
is developing.

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Learner’s Study Guide

Fig. 1. Example Sentence Outline

TAKE NOTE

Remember that a topic outline lists words or

phrases. A sentence outline lists complete sentences
You format both types of formal outlines in the same way.
● Place your introduction and thesis statement at the beginning, under Roman
numeral I.
● Use roman numerals (II, III, IV, V, etc.) to identify main points that develop
the thesis statement.
● Use capital letters (A, B, C, D, etc.) to divide your main points into parts.

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SHS DEPARTMENT

Learner’s Study Guide

● Use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.) if you need to subdivide any As, Bs,
or Cs into smaller parts.
● End with the final roman numeral expressing your idea for your conclusion.

Here is what the skeleton of a traditional formal outline looks like. The
indention helps clarify how the ideas are related.

1. Introduction
2. Main point 1 → becomes the topic sentence of body paragraph 1
1. Supporting detail → becomes a support sentence of body paragraph 1
1. Subpoint
2. Subpoint
2. Supporting detail
1. Subpoint
2. Subpoint
3. Supporting detail
1. Subpoint
2. Subpoint
3. Main point 2 → becomes the topic sentence of body paragraph 2
1. Supporting detail
2. Supporting detail
3. Supporting detail
4. Main point 3 → becomes the topic sentence of body paragraph 3
1. Supporting detail
2. Supporting detail
3. Supporting detail
5. Conclusion

Writing an outline may vary for each writer but the following characteristics
are vital for your outline to be considered as good or viable for use (Dagdag, 2010):

o Logical subordination – The subtopic must be related to the main topic but
it should not exceed or be equal to the main topic in terms of importance.

o Parallel structure – Each level must be of the same grammatical structure.

For example, in topic outlines, if the first main topic is in the noun phrase
form, the subsequent main topics must be noun phrases, as well. For sentence
outlines, shifts in voice (from passive to active and vice versa) or form (from
statements to questions and vice versa) must be avoided.

o Mechanics – Always make sure that you use proper capitalization and
punctuations. Remember that in constructing a topic outline, there is no
punctuation at the end of it.

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Learner’s Study Guide

References:

English Composition II: Rhetorical Methods–Based. Writing Success for Outlining.

Retrieved from:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/englishcomp2kscopexmaster/chapter/wr
iting-for-success-outlining-pdf/

Oldham, D. n.d. ENG 102: From Topic Outline to Sentence Outline. Retrieved from:
https://app.shoreline.edu/doldham/102/HTML/Topic%20to%20Sentence.ht
ml#:~:text=A%20topic%20outline%20arranges%20your,and%20shows%20ho
w%20they%20relate.

https://www.artlog.org/AH2RubricMus2.html

Lesson 2
Context Clues and Paragraph
Writing
Sub-Topics:

1. Context Clues
a. Synonyms
b. Antonyms
c. Examples
d. Explanations
e. Definitions
2. Paragraph
a. Parts of a Paragraph
b. Types of Sentences in a Paragraph
3. Properties of a Well-Written Text

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

e. understand the use of context clues in reading;

f. familiarize the common types of context clues found in texts;
g. describe a paragraph;
h. identify the parts of a paragraph;
i. identify the types of sentences in a paragraph; and,
j. be guided by the properties of a well-written text.

Using Context Clues

What do you do when you can’t fully understand a text?

One technique to improve reading comprehension and reading pace is using
context clues. Context clues are words, phrases, and sentences that surround an
unfamiliar word that can help you recognize the meaning of the unknown word.

Common Types of Context Clues

a. Synonyms

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 READING AND WRITING SKILLS
ACLC COLLEGE OF TACLOBAN
SHS DEPARTMENT

Learner’s Study Guide

Synonyms are used when the text has words or phrases that are
similar in meaning to the unknown word. Synonym clues may be
signaled by the following words: “like” or “as”.

✔ Example: Humpty Dumpty took great pleasure in obfuscating the

poem’s meaning for Alice. His explanations about the poem were
confusing and complicated.

b. Antonyms
An antonym is a word that reveals the opposite meaning in relation to
the unknown word. May be signaled by: although, but, despite, instead,
in contrast, unlike, however, even though, and conversely.

✔ Example: The boy in the poem surreptitiously set out to find the
monster. He did not tell anyone about his plans because he did not
want them to worry.

c. Examples
Examples are specific details in a text that are used to clarify the
meaning of a word.

✔ Example: There are many eccentric creatures in the forest, such as

mome raths and borogoves.

d. Explanations and Definitions

Explanations may be given as clues to describe an unknown term,
while definitions may follow an unfamiliar word.
Explanations: because or that is.
Definitions: is, means, is defined as, and refers to.

✔ Example (Explanation): Humpty Dumpty told Alice that “brillig”

means the same thing as four o’clock in the afternoon, because that
is when people started broiling things for dinner.

✔ Example (Definition): Hearing someone “outgrabe” – which means

he is whistling, bellowing, and sneezing all at once – can be a
funny sight.

Developing Effective Paragraphs

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).
1. 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
✔ Introduction

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The first section of a paragraph; it should include the topic
sentence and any other sentences at the beginning of the
paragraph that give background information or provide a
transition.

✔ Body
Follows the introduction; discusses the controlling idea, using
facts, arguments, analysis, examples, or other information.

✔ Conclusion
The final section; summarizes the connections between the
information discussed in the body of the paragraphs and the
paragraph's controlling idea.

Types of Sentences in 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.

▪ 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.

▪ 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.

2. 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.
● Deduction order – arranges the supporting details from the
general idea to the specific. (Topic sentence to supporting
details)
● 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.

Here are transitional devices you can utilize once you

write your own paragraph:
a. Chronological Order
first, second, later, before, next, as soon as, after, then,
finally, meanwhile, following, last, during, in, on, until

b. Order of Importance
less, more, primary, next, last, most important, primarily,
secondarily

c. Spatial Order
above, below, beside, next to, in front of, behind, inside,
outside, opposite, within, nearby

d. Definition Order
is, refers to, can be defined as, means, consists of,
involves, is a term that, is called

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e. Classification
classified as, comprises, is composed of, several, varieties
of, different stages of, different groups that

f. Process
first, next, then, following, after that, last, finally

g. Cause and Effect

Causes: because, for, since, stems from, one cause is, one
reason is, leads to, causes, creates, yields, due to, breeds, for
this reason
Effects: consequently, results in, one result is, therefore,
thus, as a result, hence

h. Comparison and Contrast

Comparison: both, also, similarly, like, likewise, too, as
well as, resembles, correspondingly, in the same way, to
compare, in comparison, share
Contrast: unlike, differs from, in contrast, on the other
hand, instead, despite, nevertheless, however, in spite of,
whereas, as opposed to

i. Listing
the following, several, for example, for instance, one,
another, also, too, in other words, first, second, numerals (1, 2,
3...), letters(a, b, c...)

j. Clarification
in fact, in other words, clearly

k. Summary
in summary, in conclusion, in brief, to summarize, to sum
up, in short

l. Example
for example, for instance, to illustrate

m. Addition
furthermore, additionally, also, besides, further, in
addition

Properties of a Well-Written Text

1. Organization
- Refers to the arrangement of ideas in a text

2. Coherence and Cohesion

- Refer to the connection of ideas and connection between sentences and
paragraph.

3. Appropriate Language Use

- Refers to the acceptable style of language for a particular form of text

4. Proper Mechanics
- Refers to the conventions of writing which includes capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling

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SHS DEPARTMENT

Learner’s Study Guide

References

Dagdag, L. et.al, (2010), Winning Strategies for Study, Thinking, and Writing
Skills

Introduction to Pre-Writing. Retrieved from:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/673/01/

Tiongson, M. A. et.al, (2016), Reading and Writing Skills. Rex Book Store, Inc.

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