Reading and Thinking Strategies
Across Text Types
Lesson I: Text as Connected Discourse
Text- is generally considered as written
material, especially longer pieces of writing
as in a book, a letter or a news paper.
Discourse- is a formal and often lengthy discussion of a topic,
where concepts and insights are arranged in an organized and
logical manner.
it refers to the way how language is used to convey
meanings or to propel action or provoke a specific
response.
Text vs. Discourse
Text Discourse
Made up of sentences The use of such sentences
Made up of sentences having the Made up of utterances having the
property of grammatical cohesion property of coherence
Text analysis deals with cohesion Discourse analysis investigates coherence
Peter saw cows and pigs flying around his house.
Defined in terms of its being a physical Viewed as a process (Meaning is derived
product. (Meaning is not found in the through the reader’s interaction with the
text) text)
What makes text a connected
discourse?
Text becomes a connected
discourse when we read.
Qualities of a text:
1. Cohesion- the parts are connected
2. Coherence- the overall text has meaning
3. Intentionality- the writer’s attitude and
purpose can be discerned
4. Acceptability- the text is organized
5. Informativity- there is a quantity of new or
expected information
6. Situationality- the text’s topic is
situationally and culturally appropriate
7. Intertextuality- the text can be linked to
preceding discourse
Written text acquires the characteristics of
connected discourse when:
its ideas are linked logically
Steps in making a logical division of idea
paragraph:
1. Begin a logical division paragraph with a topic sentence.
2. In the supporting sentences, discuss each point one after
the other.
3. Introduce each new point with a signal word or phrase.
4. Support each point with a convincing detail such as an
example or statistic ( numbers, amounts, percentages,
etc.)
5. End a logical division paragraph with a concluding
sentence.
Connectives for Listing Arguments:
Firstly This can be used for the first
supporting argument
Secondly, These can be used for any further
furthermore, supporting arguments (except, of
moreover, in course, for “Secondly” which can only be
addition used for the second.
This can be used for the last supporting
Finally argument.
Concluding Connectives
These all carry roughly the
In conclusion same meaning. They should
be used to indicate that you
In summary are making final statements
that cover all the supporting
arguments in a very general
Thus way.
In fact/ Indeed
these two connectives have almost the same
meaning and both can be used in the following
situations:
1. To connect a more detailed statement with a
preceding general statement.
Example:
Today is very warm. In fact ( or Indeed) it is 35
degrees Celsius.
2. To connect a statement which is more factual
and exact with a preceding statement that is
more debatable and general.
Example:
The internet is very popular in Australia.
Indeed (or In fact) , Australia has the highest
proportion of Internet users per head of
population of any country in the world.
Techniques in Selecting and Organizing
Information in Reading and Writing
brainstorming
Graphic organizers
Outlining
Brainstorming
it is a process of generating creative ideas and
solution through intensive and freewheeling
group discussion.
Lay out the
Identify objectives of a
problem you
possible solution
want to solve
When all are clear,
Try to generate work as a group
solutions individually
Graphic Organizer
Outlining
Topic Outline- arranges your ideas
hierarchically, in the sequence you want, and
show what you will talk about.
Sentence Outline- similarly does what a topic
outline does; plus, it shows exactly what you
will say about each mini-topic.
Several aspects must be considered in
writing a topic outline
recall that all headings and subheadings must
be words or phrases, not sentences
the wording within each division must be
parallel
remember that a division or subdivision
cannot be divided into one part
I. Family Problems
A. Custodial: Non-custodial Conflicts
B. Extended Family
II. Economic Problems
A. Child Support
B. Women’s Job Training
C. Possible Relocation
1. Poorer Neighborhood
2. New School
