LESSON 3: PROPERTIES OF WELL-WRITTEN TEXT Process - first, next, then, following, after that, last, finally

A paragraph is a series of sentences that are organized, coherent, and are Cause and Effect - Causes: because, for, since, stems from, one
all related to a single topic. For a paragraph, or for any composition, to be cause is, one reason is, leads to, causes, creates, yields, due to,
effective, it must always consider the Properties of a Well-Written Text. breeds, for this reason // Effects: consequently, results in, one result
These properties are: Organization, Coherence and Cohesion, Unity, is, therefore, thus, as a result, hence
Language Use, and Mechanics.
Comparison and Contrast - Similarities: both, also, similarly, like,
The first line of a paragraph is usually indented. This indentation of a likewise, too, as well as, resembles, correspondingly, in the same
paragraph indicates where the paragraph begins. Remember that you must way, to compare, in comparison, share// Differences: unlike, differs
capitalize the first word in each sentence and end each sentence with a from, in contrast, on the other hand, instead, despite, nevertheless,
punctuation mark, most often a period (.). however, in spite of, whereas, as opposed to

Parts of Paragraph Listing - the following, several, for example, for instance, one,
another, also, too, in other words, first, second, numerals (1, 2, 3...),
Introduction - The first section of a paragraph; it should include the topic letters (a, b, c...)
sentence and any other sentences at the beginning of the paragraph that
give background information or provide a transition. Clarification - in fact, in other words, clearly

Body - Follows the introduction; discusses the controlling idea, using facts, Summary - in summary, in conclusion, in brief, to summarize, to sum
arguments, analysis, examples, or other information. up, in short, on the

Conclusion - The final section; summarizes the connections between the Example - for example, for instance, to illustrate
information discussed in the body of the paragraphs and the paragraph's
controlling idea. Addition - furthermore, additionally, also, besides, further, in
addition, moreover, again
1. Organization
2. Coherence and Cohesion
Organization refers to the arrangement of ideas in a text.
Coherence and cohesion refer to the connection of ideas and connection
Check the following paragraph arrangements and the words which are between sentences and between paragraphs.
useful in securing in each of them:
For instance, to provide coherence, you may use phrases that signals that
Chronological Order - first, second, later, before, next, as soon as, you are adding more information (e.g. in addition, moreover), or referring to
after, then, finally, meanwhile, following, last, during, in, on, until the previous statement (e.g. as mentioned earlier), or contrasting the
previous statement (e.g. however), and so on. For providing cohesion, you
Order of Importance - less, more, primary, next, last, most must organize old and new information in your text. Organizing old and new
important, primarily, secondarily information can be done by using certain vocabulary such as synonyms and
Spatial Order - above, below, beside, next to, in front of, behind, antonyms, or repetition of words from the previous sentence, or using
inside, outside, opposite, within, nearby pronouns and conjunctions.

Definition Order - is, refers to, can be defined as, means, consists Techniques to improve paragraph cohesion:
of, involves, is a term that, is called A. Transitions
Classification - classified as, comprises, is composed of, several, Use a conjunction or conjunctive adverb to link sentences with particular
varieties of, different stages of, different groups that logical relationships.
 To Specify Sequence - again, also, and, and then, besides, finally, Collocation - Use a commonly paired or expected or highly probable word to
first . . . second . . . third, furthermore, last, moreover, next, still, too connect one sentence to another.

To Specify Time - after a few days, after a while, afterward, as long Enumeration - Use overt markers of sequence to highlight the connection
as, as soon as, at last, at that time, before, earlier, immediately, in between ideas. This system has many advantages: (a) it can link ideas that
the meantime, in the past, lately, later, meanwhile, now, presently, are otherwise completely unconnected, (b) it looks formal and distinctive, and
simultaneously, since, so far, soon, then, thereafter, until, when (c) it promotes a second method of sentence cohesion.

To Specify Comparison - again, also, in the same way, likewise, Parallelism - Repeat a sentence structure. This technique is the oldest, most
once more, similarly overlooked, but probably the most elegant method of creating cohesion.

To Specify Contrast - although, but, despite, even though, however, Check these examples:
in contrast, in spite of, instead, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the
contrary, on the one hand . . . on the other hand, regardless, still, Coherent but not cohesive "My favorite color is blue. I'm calm and relaxed.
though, yet In the summer I lie on the grass and look up." Cohesive but not coherent “My
favorite color is blue. Blue sports cars go very fast. Driving in this way is
To Specify Examples - after all, for example, for instance, indeed, in dangerous and can cause many car crashes. I had a car accident once and
fact, of course, specifically, such as, the following example, to broke my leg. I was very sad because I had to miss a holiday in Europe
illustrate because of the injury."

To Specify Cause and Effect - accordingly, as a result, because, Coherent and cohesive "My favorite color is blue. I like it because it is
consequently, for this reason, hence, if . . . then, since, so, then, calming and it relaxes me. I often go outside in the summer and lie on the
therefore, thereupon, thus, to this end grass and look into the clear sky when I am stressed. For this reason, I'd
have to say my favorite color is blue."
To Specify Place - above, adjacent to, below, beyond, closer to
elsewhere, far, farther on, here, near, nearby, opposite to, there, to 3. Appropriate Language Use
the left, to the right
Appropriate language use refers to the acceptable style of language for a
To Specify Concession - although it is true that, granted that, I particular form of text.
admit that, it may appear that, naturally, of course
Levels of Language Use
To Specify Summary, Repetition, or Conclusion as a result - as
has been noted, as I have said, as mentioned earlier, as we have Informal/ Personal - slang, local expressions, text messaging: Hey
seen, in any event, in conclusion, in other words, in short, on the Bes Yow Sup Pet (friend) Nigga OTW GNyt Dude BRB SML KUTGW
whole, therefore, to summarize Standard/Academic - widely accepted words and phrases found in
B. Repetition - In sentence B, repeat a word from sentence A. books, magazines, and newspapers Note to a professor: I missed
last night’s class and will e-mail my paper later. The problem was on
Synonymy - If direct repetition is too obvious, use a synonym of the word garbage management as it greatly affects the students who are
you wish to repeat. This strategy is called 'elegant variation.' occupying the SJH Blg.

Antonymy - Using the 'opposite' word, an antonym, can also create Business/Technical - scientific terms, jargons, and special
sentence cohesion, since in language antonyms actually share more expressions Psychiatrist’s report: “Dissociative rage order is not
elements of meaning than you might imagine. indicated by the ER assessment.”

Pro-forms - Use a pronoun, pro-verb, or another pro-form to make explicit Principles in Language Use/ Diction
reference back to a form mentioned earlier.
Use clear and concise sentences, usually about 18 words long.
 Avoid redundancies, cliches wordiness, and highfalutin 7. PARENTHESES () to set off nonessential details and explanations, to
enclose letters and numbers used when listing items, first-time use of
Although may be used, avoid overusing “There” and “It”, drop it acronym
Use precise vocabulary. Be accurate. Condensed. 8. BRACKETS [ ] to set off clarifications inserted in quotations, Eric
Be consistent in pronoun POV observed, “I think [Rodrigo] Duterte was the greatest president.”

Avoid sexist language. 7. Use appropriate level of formality 9. HYPHEN ( - ) to separate or join words.

4. Proper Mechanics We saw her on tele-

Mechanics refers to the conventions of writing which includes capitalization, vision last night.
punctuation, spelling, numerals, abbreviations, acronyms, and contractions. Never pay a higher-than-average price.
It determines errors on subject-verb agreement, prepositions, tenses, the 10. DASH ( -- ) to show sudden break of thought “Ted was angry after his car
grammar, spelling, capitalization, abbreviations and acronyms, the use of was stolen—who wouldn’t be?”/ to set off an introduction to a series “They
numbers as part of the statement, and the punctuation marks. have everything needed to succeed—ideas, money, and marketing.”
 Spelling 11. SLASH (/) to separate words or to show alternatives (he/she)
 Capitalization
 Abbreviation and Acronyms 12. SEMICOLON (;) to join independent clauses when and, or, yet, but, or so
 Numbers are not present, to separate items in a series that contains commas “The
 Punctuation Marks governor will meet with Rey Simon, the mayor of Concepcion; Bert Vesca,
 Grammar the vice mayor; and Peter Cayabyab.”
Punctuation Marks 13. ELLIPSIS (. . . ) to indicate that words have been deleted from quoted
material
1. PERIOD (.) used after sentences, in abbreviations, and as decimals
Original text - The mayor said, “Our city, which is one of the country’s most
2. EXCLAMATION POINT (!) placed at the emphatic or forceful sentences
progressive, deserves a high-tech light-rail system.”
3. QUESTION MARK (?) placed at the end of a question and to note
With Ellipsis - The mayor said, “Our city . . . deserves a high-tech light-rail
questionable items
system.”
4. QUOTATION MARKS (“ ”) to indicate direct quotations - for titles of
14. COMMA (,) to signal pauses and shifts in sentences, used with and, or,
poems, short stories, chapters, essays, songs, episodes of television shows
so, but, yet to join independent clauses “Chinatown is a popular tourist
5. APOSTROPHE (’) to show possession (Angel’s bag), to show missing attraction, and it serves as an important cultural center.”
letters and number (you’re, ’95), to show plurals of letters (I got all A’s last
General Principles
semester.)
 Always use standard English
6. COLON (:) after independent clauses to introduce elements. “The coach
demanded three things from his players: loyalty, devotion, and teamwork.”/ to  Avoid Contraction (shouldn't, gonna, don’t, wanna)
separate items in numerals, ratios, titles and subtitles, time references,
scripture references  Avoid exclamation marks unless part of a quotation

 Mention full name in first mention. Thereafter, use abbreviations.

Citations are used in academic and formal texts but sparingly used in
business texts.