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RNW Handout2

The document discusses properties of well-written text, including organization, coherence, cohesion, language use, and mechanics. Organization involves proper paragraphing and logical order of ideas. Coherence refers to developing and supporting arguments while cohesion focuses on links between words and sentences. Language use should avoid slang, jargon, euphemisms or biased language. Mechanics like punctuation, capitalization and spelling are also important.

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Mylaine Grace Sanchez Bacosa
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16 views

RNW Handout2

The document discusses properties of well-written text, including organization, coherence, cohesion, language use, and mechanics. Organization involves proper paragraphing and logical order of ideas. Coherence refers to developing and supporting arguments while cohesion focuses on links between words and sentences. Language use should avoid slang, jargon, euphemisms or biased language. Mechanics like punctuation, capitalization and spelling are also important.

Uploaded by

Mylaine Grace Sanchez Bacosa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT  First, the formality of the language one uses should

depend on how formal the situation is and how the


ORGANIZATION
writer and the reader are related to one another.
A well-organized piece of writing is not only clear but also  Second, jargons or specialized language used by groups
logical and aesthetic. Existence of organizational markers of individuals in the same field, should only be used if
and coherent flow of ideas are typically the focus in the target readers belong to the same group.
evaluation of writing (Dayagbil 2016, 63-64).  Third, slangs and idioms should be avoided. Slangs are
In writing a story or an essay, it is necessary for words, phrases, or expressions that do not literally
students like you to identify the sequence of events from mean what they express (like “frenemy” to describe
the beginning to the end because a strong organization someone who is both a friend and an enemy) while
comprises proper paragraphing and logical order of idioms or expressions whose meaning is different from
presentation of ideas. the meanings of the individual word it contains (like “to
kill two birds at one stone”, which means to get two
COHERENCE AND COHESION
things done with a single action.
Coherence and cohesion are two basic features  Fourth, euphemisms or words that veil the truth shall
that facilitate textual continuity. Basically, coherence refers also be avoided. Examples of which are “virtually
to the rhetorical aspects of your writing, which include challenged” for someone who is short; “passed away”
developing and supporting your argument (e.g. thesis instead of died, and other deceitful language.
statement development), synthesizing and integrating  Fifth, avoid using any biased language including those
readings, organizing and clarifying ideas. associated with any racial, ethnic, group, or gender.

***Coherence means the connection and organization of Hence, an effective language can be characterized as:
ideas in a text to create unity.  Concrete and specific, not vague and abstract
 Concise, not verbose
To achieve coherence, every good paragraph must
have UNITY or oneness of idea. Sentences in a paragraph  Precise and clear, not obscure
are unified and directed by a topic sentence.  Constructive, not destructive
 Appropriately formal, not slang
On the other hand, cohesion in writing means
unifying ideas by binding words, phrases, sentences and MECHANICS
paragraphs, thus, show relationships and smooth “text Generally, mechanics is essential in all types of
flow”. writing because it describes the technical aspects of
writing. It also serves as a road sign to guide learners like
*** While coherence focuses on the overall (macro)
you on how to use words appropriately in terms of
structure of the essay, cohesion is more specific. It pays
conventions such as spelling, punctuation, capitalization,
attention to links between words and sentences.
and others.
To achieve good cohesion, you need to know how
to use cohesive devices, certain words or phrases that serve
the purpose of connecting two statements, usually by
referring back to what you have previously written or said.

Here is a chart of the transitional devices (also


It is apparent that the above example is quite
called conjunctive adverbs or adverbial conjunctions)
difficult to read because of the lack of two important
accompanied with a simplified definition of function.
conventions: punctuations and capitalization. In addition,
you cannot easily understand the message it sends across
its readers. If we put appropriate punctuations, it could be
read in this way:

The second paragraph is easier to read and understand.


Through applying proper mechanics in writing, you can
facilitate better transfer of message in your written text.
LANGUAGE USE
You will never be lost as long as you keep in mind and
There are five major issues with appropriate language that follow the basic rules of subject-verb agreement,
should be avoided in an effective and well-written text, as capitalization, punctuations, paragraphing, and even
identified by (Purdue Online Writing Lab 2020): spelling.

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