READING AND WRITING SKILLS II.

TECHNIQUES IN SELECTING AND ORGANIZING

(Summary of Topics Discussed) INFORMATION
Brainstorming list-is the most popular tool in generating creative
I. TEXT: A CONNECTED DISCOURSE and rich ideas
Discourse Two Methods in Brainstorming
- an extended expression of thoughts or ideas 1. Idea list-- involves writing the main topic and listing down the
- utterance, talk, speech, discussion, and conversation related ideas
* The ideas in discourse are not connected or do not have a
particular structure.
Text
- a large unit of written language - a group of ideas put together to
make a point or one central idea - has a structure which requires the
ideas in the discourse to be relevant to each other - an actually
connected discourse
WORDS
Morphology - the study of words, how they are formed, and their
relationship to other words in the same language - analyzes the
structure of words and parts of words, such as root words, prefixes,
and suffixes
Morpheme - the smallest grammatical unit in a language
Two Types of Morpheme: 2. Idea map- a visual representation of ideas and their connections
with one another
 Free Morpheme- can function independently as a word
- more structured - shows how one idea subordinates
Examples: house, cat, blood
another idea
 Bound Morpheme - a word element attached to a root
word (the main part of a word) to give it another meaning
- cannot function independently as a word
Examples: affixes (prefixes and suffixes)
Affix - a morpheme that is attached to a root word to form a new
word
 Prefix - a morpheme that comes before a root word
Examples: auto- (automobile) in- (incorrect) over-
(overcharge)
 Suffix - a morpheme that comes after a root word
Examples: -ful (forgetful) -ish (childish) -ive (active)
Compound Words - combination of two different words
Examples: back + ward = backward (towards the reverse direction) GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS-are visual representations of
book + shelf = bookshelf (storage of books) full + moon = full moon concepts that help us structure information into organizational
(a moon appearing as a bright circle) six + pack = six-pack (often in patterns.
reference to a pack of drinks) Types of graphic organizers:
Context Clues 1. Venn Diagram-uses two or more overlapping circles to
- are words, phrases, and sentences that surround an unfamiliar show similar and different attributes
word and help you recognize the meaning of an unknown word
Most Common Types of Context Clues
1. Synonyms - used when the text has words or phrases that are
similar in meaning to the unknown word
Example: The narrator in the poem was euphoric at his
son's victory, for he cried out triumphantly when the boy
came home.
Euphoric-victorious; triumphant; very happy and excited
2. Antonyms - words that reveal the opposite meaning in relation to
the unknown word
Example: Although Mary was willing to play in the snow, Jack was
reluctant because he was so cold.
reluctant- not willing to do something; hesitant
3. Examples - are specific details in a text that are used to clarify
2. Network Tree- used to represent hierarchy, classification,
the meaning of a word
and branching
Example: Projectiles include those items that are shot forward such
as a cannon shell, bullet, or rocket.
Projectiles- things (such as bullet or rocket) that are shot
from weapon
4. Definition - is usually signaled by a form of the verb to be (am, is,
are, was, were) or by commas or dashes
Example: The prisoner was in a state of wrath—a feeling of intense
anger.
wrath- extreme anger
5. Explanation - words or phrases that explain the unfamiliar word's
meaning.
Example: Elis is a blithe young girl, because she always greets
everyone with a smile.
blithe - cheerful; happy, lighthearted
*A text is a connected discourse, which means that all ideas in the
text must be related in the sense that they would express only one
main idea, or that the text must have unity by combining all ideas to
emphasize central idea.
3. Spider Map-used to investigate and enumerate various 8. Fishbone Map-used to better understand the causal
aspects of a central idea, which could be a concept, topic, or relationship of a complex phenomenon; shows the factors that
theme; also known as semantic map cause a specific event or problem, as well as details of each
cause

4. Problem-Solution Map-displays the nature of the problem

and how it can be solved
9.Cycle-describes how a series of events interact to produce
a set of results repeatedly

5. Timeline-used to show how events occurred

chronologically through a long bar labeled with dates and
specific events
10. Persuasion Map-used to map out arguments and
evidence that prove a viewpoint

6. Plot Diagram-used to map events in the story; used to

analyze the major parts of a plot

OUTLINE-considered as a plan for writing; a summary that

gives the essential feature of a text.

KINDS OF OUTLINE ACCORDING TO FORMAT

 Alphanumeric Outline- uses both letters and numbers as
labels
 Decimal Outline- uses only numbers as labels

Decimal Outline
7. Series of Events Chain- used to show the logical 1.
sequence of events 1.1
1.1.1
1.1.2
1.1.3
1.2
Alphanumeric Outline
1.3 I.
A.
1.
a.
b.
c.
B.
C.
KINDS OF OUTLINE ACCORDING TO STRUCTURE IV. PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT
 Topic Outline-a systematic arrangement of ideas using 1. Organization
broad topics in the form of words or simple phrases as • refers to the arrangement of ideas in a text
headers * Creating an outline of ideas before you start writing can
help your work become organized.
2. Coherence and Cohesion
• refer to the connection of ideas and connection between
sentences and between paragraphs
* In order for you to assure coherence and cohesion, you
need to use transitional or cohesive devices.
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, spelling, numerals,
abbreviations, acronyms and contractions

 Sentence Outline- uses complete sentences as its

entries; also known as expanded outline

III. PATTERNS FOR DEVELOPING IDEAS IN WRITING

 Narration- the most basic pattern of development; describes
how, when, and where an event or occurrence actually
happened
 Process Analysis-presents a series of steps in a procedure in
chronological order and shows how this sequence of steps
leads to particular results.
 Cause and Effect- discusses either the reasons for an
occurrence or the observed or predicted consequences of an
occurrence.
 Comparison and Contrast- organizes ideas based on how
events, places, people, things, and concepts are similar to or
different from one another
 Classification and Exemplification
 Classification - divides things into groups, classes,
or categories
 Exemplification- provides examples and illustrations
in order to further clarify or explain the concept or
subject matter
 Description- the pattern of development which goes into
details about a specific object, person, or location, in order to
firmly set its appearance
 Definition- explains not just what something means or is, but
also what something does, what something is used for, what
something looks like, etc.
 Problem-solution- focuses on either a problem or solution in a
particular area or situation
 Persuasion- convinces readers to agree to an argument or
claim about a particular topic