READING AND WRITING SKILLS

Writing a paragraph involves deep understanding of how one can achieve well-focused and unified ideas in a
composition. For example, when students are asked to come up with a summary of a story, they tend to chop parts of
the story and put it in their summary. If that is so, it leads to create unrelated details that do not contribute in the
oneness and clarity of one’s summary.It is important to use strategies developing ideas using a particular pattern. One of
these is through narration.
A narrative text contains the plot which gives direction in making a story. In developing narration, sequential
presentation of events plays an important role.
Signal words help to create unified thought and to show the transition of events to the next. This leads us to focus on
the use of the action words in the story. It also helps to move the story and makes the story interesting.
The chronological ordering of events helps to show the reader how the story moves. Most of the common transitional
words are first, next, then, after and suddenly. Moreover, it is also important to give specific details in pointing out the
direction of the story.
1. Narration is a writing pattern that is used to tell story.
2. A narrative text contains the plot which gives direction in the story.
3.Transitional devices are words or phrases that help carry a thought from one sentence to another, from one
idea to another, or from one paragraph to another.
4. Most of the common transitional words to show sequence of events are first, next, then, after and suddenly.
5. The chronological ordering of events helps to show the reader how the story moves.
The kind of words we used to describe how your subject looks, sounds, feels, smells or even tastes like are called
sensory languages. It also concerns how you will arrange the details to provide an image of the scene, the person or the
object you are trying to describe in your text.

Objective description-where the writer presents impartial and actual picture of the subject without biases and excluding
personal impression of the subject just like when you give your description of an experiment in class.

Subjective description- where the writer gives personal impression of what is observed. This is often used in making
fiction stories. For instance, when you are asked to write about a place you visit during summer vacation, you tend to
give your personal judgment of how you experience the place.

1. Description is a writing pattern of developing paragraph using detailed observation about the subject.

2.sensory languages are used in writing descriptive paragraph.

3. modifiers can be in a form of word, phrase or clause.

4.objective description presents impartial and actual picture of the subjects without biases.

5. subjective description gives the personal impression of the writer.

Definitions provide concise but exact meanings of unfamiliar words and explain special meanings for familiar words.
They are often used to explain technical words and concepts. What to define always depends on the needs of the reader
and the purpose of communication.

Denotation is the dictionary meaning of the word.

Formal definition consists of three principal parts:

the species (WORD) n + Genus (CLASS) + Differentiae. The WORD is the name of the object, process, or concept defined.
This is usually followed by “is” and “are” the CLASS or general group to which the object belongs.

For example: Skimming (species) is a reading technique (class) of allowing the eyes to travel over a page very quickly,
stopping only here and there to gain an idea (differentiae).
Exemplification (or illustration) is the most common and effective pattern to explain an idea or point. In developing this
kind of paragraph, the writer develops a general statement –the topic sentence, with one or more examples to support
it.

Here are some transitional expressions in writing effective exemplification paragraphs:

for instance, namely, to be specific, to clarify, to illustrate, for example, in short, as an example

Classification is used when a writer needs to sort out or arrange subjects to groups or categories based on their
common and shared characteristics.

Here are some transitional expressions in writing effective classification paragraphs:

classified as, one kind, the last group, another kind, another, final type, the first category, are categorized as, the next
part.

Remember that you can use both exemplification and classification in developing a paragraph by simply identifying
categories on a particular subject and providing examples or illustration to explain and clarify meaning.

Comparison in writing discusses elements that are similar while contrast in writing discusses elements or ideas that are
different. A compare-and-contrast essay, then analyzes two subjects comparing them, contrasting them, or both.
However, its purpose is not to simply state the obvious but rather to illustrate subtle differences or unexpected
similarities between two subjects.

As a writer, you should help the readers see how these two ideas are similar or different by showing them its
advantages and disadvantages so they are able to weigh the pros and cons before they make judgment or decision.

Some cohesive devices you can use in showing similarities are likewise, similar to, same with, like, in the same manner.
To show contrast, cue words such as: on the other hand, however, while, different with, in contrast and the like.

Cause and Effect is a text development pattern which explains why something happens. It also states what results a
particular event produces. It usually gives a statement emphasizing the cause and another emphasizing the effect.

A problem/solution essay presents a problem, usually discussing several aspects of the problem, then concludes by
discussing solutions to the problem. The problem may be addressed in the following ways:
Persuasive text can be in the form of an argument, discussion, exposition, review or even an advertisement. In
developing your own persuasive text, a writer must first state the issue. This will serve as a background information
about the topic. Then, it should be followed by a clear, strong and specific argument.

An argument is one’s claim or position that can either support or reject the issue previously stated. Arguments shall be
supported with a well-researched evidences, which will give details on how and why it supports the argument.
Evidences can be factual, logical, statistical or anecdotal in nature. It can also explain counter-arguments not because
the writer wants to prove which claims are wrong or right but to enlighten the readers about other positions.

Lastly, a conclusion restating the main argument of the text will be the end of the text. This will be your final statement
to persuade your readers.