READING AND WRITING SKILLS By function In this time of global crisis, everyone is responsible for their

actions, such as following the precautionary measures given by

the health experts to avoid the spread of the virus.
By what it is Far from the normal situations that we had before, the pandemic
PATTERNS OF PARAGRAPH not makes each one of us skip buying unnecessary items.
DEVELOPMENT By Examples The opening of the classes for School Year 2020 -2021 amidst the
pandemic is a great challenge to the Department of Education.
Pattern development is the logical arrangement of ideas. They continue researching different alternative ways of teaching
and learning to be implemented in schools such as online learning,
The pattern helps you follow ideas easily and understand modular learning, and lastly learning from TV shows and radio
programs.
a text better. By origin of Writers around the world define literature in different ways. The
word or origin of the word literature is derived from the Latin word Litera
etymology which means letter.
DEFINITION By its effect Due to the global pandemic, specifically COVID-19, the world
embraces the new normal. People have become more conscious
Definitions provide concise but exact meanings of about sanitation and hygiene. They now learn physical distancing
unfamiliar words and explain special meanings for in public places. And, most of the people stay at home either
working or developing new hobbies and exploring new things.
familiar words. They are often used to explain technical
words and concepts. What to define always depends on Example1:
the needs of the reader and the purpose of Social engineering is defined as any method which tricks
communication. It can be done in either of the two people to share personal information through the use of
distinct methods of definition. technology. The ‘social’ component in this scheme means
that there is reliance on various psychological tricks and
First, informal definition as either denotation or on the gullibility of users rather than technical hacking.
connotation. Denotation is the dictionary meaning of the Social engineering also refers to various malicious acts
word. online such as phishing, spamming, and pretexting.
For example: Rose is a family of prickly shrub with
pinnate leaves and showy flowers. DESCRIPTION
Meanwhile, the connotation is the secondary meaning of
According to Dayagbil & et al (2016), the use of
a word and is not necessarily included in the dictionary.
description plays an important role to elucidate the nature
Rather it is how a writer understands a word based on
of people, places and things. A series of detailed
their own personal or consensual experiences.
In the example: A dozens of pink roses are usually given to observations about the subject can help you create a good
their beloved ones. Instead of literally referring to flowers, descriptive paragraph. This involves the use of adjectives
love and romance are connoted. and adverbs in the paragraph.
Description basically provides details on the idea
Second, formal definition consists of three principal by using either a sensory or spatial pattern. Through a
parts: the species (WORD) + Genus (CLASS) + sensory pattern, ideas are arranged based on one or all
Differentiate. The WORD is the name of the object, of the five senses. A spatial pattern, on the other hand,
process, or concept defined. This is usually followed by arranges ideas by location or physical space. The most
“is” and, “are” and the CLASS or general group to which
important elements of this pattern are the types of
the objects belong.
description used, the clustering of details, and the
For example: Skimming (species) is a reading technique
(class) of allowing the eyes to travel over a page very progression of description.
quickly, stopping only here and there to gain an idea The kind of words we used to describe how your
(differentiae). subject looks, sounds, feels, smells or even tastes are
called sensory languages. It also concerns how you will
For the expanded or extended definition generally has arrange the details to provide an image of the scene, the
components of both informal and formal definitions, the person or the object you are trying to describe in your
following are common methods used in paragraph text.
development that would be of great help (Filomena T.
Dayagabil, Ethel L. Abao, and Remedios C. Bacus, Critical reading
There are two types of description. First is
and writing for Senior High School. Quezon City:Lorimar Publishing, objective description, where the writer presents
2016, 43:) impartial and actual picture of the subject without biases
Methods Examples
By stating its San Pablo City is one of the oldest towns in the Philippines and and excluding personal impression of the subject just like
characteristics today, it is known as one of the first-class cities in the province of
Laguna. It is also called the City of Seven Lakes namely: Bunot
when you give your description of an experiment in class.
Lake, Calibato Lake, Mohicap Lake, Palakpakin Lake, Pandin Second is subjective description, where the writer gives
Lake, Sampaloc Lake, and Yambo lake. These seven freshwater
lakes are crater forms of a steam-blast eruption from Mt. personal impression of what is observed. This is often
Cristobal.
used in making fiction stories. For instance, when you are At First Next Till
At this/that point Immediately Next week today
asked to write about a place you visit during summer Presently
vacation, you tend to give your personal judgment of how EXEMPLIFICATION, LISTING, CLASSIFICATION
you experience the place. AND DIVISION
SIGNAL WORDS FOR SPATIAL PATTERN OR VISUAL DESCRIPTION Exemplification (or illustration) is the most common and
Above Around Between In front of Onto effective pattern to explain an idea or point. In
Across Away from Beyond Inside Opposite to
Adjacent Back of By Into Outside
developing this kind of paragraph, the writer develops a
Against Behind Down Near Over general statement –the topic sentence, with one or more
Along Below Farther Off Throughout examples to support it. Simply put, this pattern is used to
Alongside Beneath Here On To the right
provide an example of something. Pay attention to the
amidst Beside in On top of Under
main idea and the specific examples, as these are the most
important parts of this pattern. You can use a spider map
CHRONOLOGY/PROCEDURE
to better understand an exemplification text.
Writing a paragraph involves a deep understanding of
how one can achieve a well-focused and unified ideas in
a composition. For example, when students are asked to The following signal words will also help you in
come up with a summary of a story, they tend to chop identifying exemplifications.
Signal Words for Exemplification
parts of the story and put them in their summary. If that is after all for instance namely that is
so, it leads to create unrelated details that do not as an example in other words put another way to be specific
consider the in particular in specifically to clarify
contribute in the oneness and clarity of one’s summary. following for short stated differently to illustrate
example
It is important to use strategies of developing ideas
using a particular pattern. One of these is through A listing pattern organizes ideas using
Chronology/ Procedure. enumeration. Unlike a chronological pattern, listing does
- Organizes ideas or events according to time. not require the items to be sequenced chronologically
- It can either be in the form of narration or because it does not have the element of time. It basically
process. presents a series of items (facts, examples, features,
- A narration sequences events in the order which reasons, and tips) that support a main idea. Make sure to
they occurred in time. pay attention to these essential aspects when writing
- A narrative text contains the plot which gives down your notes. The following signal words will also
direction in making a story.
help you in identifying such pattern.
- Process organizes details based on steps or
Signal Words for Listing
stages. additionall and then further likewise
- The most essential parts of this pattern are the y another furthermore moreover
again as well in addition next
main idea, major dates, and events such as the along with besides in the same way together
final outcome, major steps/stages, and, of course also equally important with
the order of presentation. and

In developing narration, sequential presentation of Classification is used when a writer needs to sort
events plays an important role. Signal words help to out or arrange subjects into groups or categories based on
create unified thought and to show the transition of events their common and shared characteristics.
to the next. This leads us to focus on the use of the action This pattern can be used when classifying people,
words in the story. It also helps to move the story and objects, events, things, places, and other items. Make sure
makes the story interesting. to always double-check whether each term is undeniably
The chronological ordering of events helps to part of a certain category. Avoid oversimplifying just so
show the reader how the story moves. Most of the you may be able to assign something to a category, as it
common transitional words are first, next, then, after and may result in stereotyping.
suddenly. Moreover, it is also important to give specific Take note of the superordinate (name of the
details in pointing out the direction of the story. larger group) ideas, the subordinate (subcategories of a
SIGNAL WORDS FOR CHRONOLOGY/ PROCEDURE
About Before In the Prior to Tomorrow larger group) ideas, and the relationship between them,
After During meantime Second Until since these are the most important parts of this pattern.
Afterwards Eventually Later Soon When
As soon as Finally Meanwhile Then Yesterday
You can also use a network tree to better understand this
pattern. The following signal words will also help you in causal fallacies or illogical arguments. The following
identifying a pattern. signal words will help you in recognizing these patterns.
SIGNAL WORDS FOR CAUSES
Signal Words for Classification and Division As For In view of (the Owing to (the
another classified as one kind the last group Because (of the For the reason fact) fact)
another kind final type the first category the next part fact) that In as much as Seeing that
Being that In that One reason since
Due to ( the fact
that)
COMPARISON CONTRAST
SIGNAL WORDS FOR EFFECTS
Accordingly Consequently In consequence So that
Comparison in writing discusses elements that are As a consequence For this reason So Therefore
similar while contrast in writing discusses elements or As a result (of this) Hence So much (so) that thus
Because (of this)
ideas that are different. A compare-and-contrast essay,
then analyzes two subjects comparing them, contrasting
PROBLEM SOLUTION
them, or both. However, its purpose is not to simply state
A problem-solution pattern organizes ideas into
the obvious but rather to illustrate subtle differences or
problems and proposed solutions. The problems section
unexpected similarities between two subjects.
usually includes the what, who, when, where, why, and
how of the problem. The other part then presents the
The Block Method is used to compare and contrast two
major effects of the problem and the possible solutions to
subjects one at a time. You may begin by saying
address it, as well as the steps in implementing the
everything you have to say about the first subject you are
solution.
discussing then move on and write everything about your Effects only ● Describe the problem only in terms of its
second subject. If you are writing a short paragraph or effects.
essay, you might be able to fit all of your points about ● Use examples.
Causes and effects ● Outline the causes of the problem.
each item. However, if you would want to address one ● Discuss solutions in terms of preventive
subject at a time, you may use Point-by-point measures.
Extended example ● After a topic sentence, illustrate the problem
comparison. by using an extended example (through a story
or an anecdote from your introduction).
SIGNAL WORDS FOR CONTRASTING
Although Despite Instead Otherwise The solutions may be presented in various ways and you
And yet Even so However Still
As opposed to Even though Nevertheless The fact have to think about which way would be the most
But In contrast Nonetheless remains appropriate for the particular problem you are discussing.
Conversely In spite of On the contrary Unlike
Preventive ● Ways to prevent the problem from occurring
Counter to In the On the other Whereas
measures in the first place
meantime hand Yet
● For example: How to prevent Covid-19
SIGNAL WORDS FOR COMPARING A series of steps ● Suggest the easiest and most obvious solution
Also Equally In the same Similarly first, but if that doesn’t work, try something
As In a similar way To compare else, etc.
Both fashion Like ● For example: if you have a neighbor who does
In comparison likewise not wear mask nor practice social distancing,
you might first talk to him/her; if that doesn’t
work, arrange for a mediator; etc. (a last resort
CAUSE AND EFFECT AND PROBLEM- might be to call the police).
SOLUTION Advice ● Give some advice and helpful hints
A choice of ● Include solutions that have already been tried,
A cause-and-effect pattern organizes details solutions have been unsuccessful, and new solutions
based on the cause, the reason, and the result or which you are proposing.

consequences of a certain phenomenon. This pattern may

discuss both the causes and effects, the causes only, or To better comprehend a text that follows a problem-
the effects only. solution pattern, a problem-solution map can be used.
To better comprehend a text that follows a cause The following signal words will also help you in
and effect pattern, a fishbone map can be used. identifying this pattern.
Signal Words for Problem-solution
But Nonetheless One solution is The problem
When reading this type of pattern, focus on and take note First, second One reason for One way is The solution
of the following elements: the purpose of the text, the the
relationship between causes and effects, and the potential
PERSUASION
 Persuasive text can be in the form of an 1. UNITY- achieved when a paragraph is developed
argument, discussion, exposition, review or even an using one idea. In a unified paragraph, all the sentences
advertisement. A persuasion pattern organizes ideas to support the main idea. Without unity, the text will be
show how a set of evidence leads to a logical conclusion confusing.
or argument. Specifically, this pattern presents the issue,
the position, and the supporting evidence that support 2. COHERENCE AND COHESION are achieved when
the position. ideas are logically, clearly, and smoothly linked to one
In developing your own persuasive text, a writer another; without it, the reader may not be able to
must first state the issue. This will serve as a background comprehend the composition.
information about the topic. Then, it should be followed COHERENCE- can be achieved when the ideas are
by a clear, strong and specific argument. connected at the conceptual level. It can be seen
An argument is one’s claim or position that can through well-defended arguments and organized
either support or reject the issue previously stated. points.
Arguments shall be supported with well-researched COHESION- can be achieved when ideas are
evidence, which will give details on how and why it connected at the sentence level. It can be applied
supports the argument. Evidences can be factual, logical, through using transitional devices to connect ideas
statistical or anecdotal in nature. It can also explain among sentences, being consistent in the use of
counter-arguments not because the writer wants to prove pronouns and by repeating the key words to link
which claims are wrong or right but to enlighten the all sentences together.
readers about other positions. Examples of transitional devices
Lastly, a conclusion restating the main argument  To specify the sequence - again, also, and, then, finally, first, last,
of the text will be the end of the text. This will be your moreover, next, still
 To specify time - before, earlier, after a while, afterward, as long as,
final statement to persuade your readers. as soon as, at last
Some guide questions in constructing a persuasive text  To specify contrast - although, but, despite, however, in contrast,
include: instead, nevertheless, on the other hand, regardless, yet
● What is the issue?  To specify comparison - likewise, similarly, once more
 To specify examples - after all, for example, for instance, such as,
● What is your position or opinion?
indeed, specifically
● What is the opposing position/opinion?
 To specify cause and effect - as a result, hence, because, therefore,
● What are some reasons for your position/opinion? thereupon, thus, for this reason
● What are some cases or examples that support this?
3. ORGANIZATION- this can be achieved when ideas
Signal Words for Emphasizing a Point
Again In that case To emphasize Truly are arranged logically and accurately. This helps in
For this reason indeed To repeat With this in mind making the text readable and in making its message clear.
In fact
The use of signal words or transitional device, pattern and
Signal Words for Concluding and Summarizing structure can help in making the paragraph organized
Accordingly Consequently In brief Inevitably In a
all in all Due to In On the nutshell appropriately.
As a result finally conclusion whole Therefore 4. LANGUAGE USE- this can be achieved through
As I have In any event in short Since Thus
said in summary In essence To sum up using the right words that can capture the message that
Signal Words for Conceding a Point you want to convey to the readers. This enables writers to
Admittedly It is true that Obviously True
Assuredly Needless to say Of course Undoubtedly effectively communicate ideas without confusing the
Certainly No doubt To be sure unquestionably
granted
reader. The following are the principles that must be
observed for an effective use of language.
a. Use standard or formal diction.
b. Use clear and concise sentence with an average of 18 words long.
PROPERTIES OF A WELL- WRITTEN TEXT
c. Avoid redundancies, wordiness, clichés and highfalutin language.
In order for a paragraph to be effective and easy to d. Avoid excessive use of “there” and “it”.
understand it should consider the properties of a well- e. Use precise vocabulary.
written text such as organization, coherence and f. Be consistent on pronouns point of view.
cohesion, unity, language use and mechanics. g. Avoid sexist language. This issue can be addressed using articles
(a, an, and the) using plural pronouns, using his or her, writing
through a second person point of view, or using gender-neutral
nouns (e.g. chairperson instead of chairman). Make sure not to
 overuse his or her technique as it breaks up the flow of your 3. Minor Detail 3
composition. B. Major Point 2
1. Minor Detail 1
5. MECHANICS- focuses on technicalities of the 2. Minor Detail 2
3. Minor Detail 3
structure. It determines errors on subject-verb agreement, C. Major Point 3
prepositions, tenses, the grammar, spelling, capitalization, 1. Minor Detail 1
abbreviations and acronyms, the use of numbers as part 2. Minor Detail 2
of the statement and the punctuation marks. In academic 3. Minor Detail 3
III. Conclusion
and more formal texts, the following should be observed: A. Reiteration of thesis statement
1. Always use Standard English. B. Transitional Statement
2. Avoid contractions (e.g., Shouldn’t for should not) C. Closing Statement
3. Avoid exclamation marks unless they are part of a direct
quotation. 1. INTRODUCTION
4. Mention the full name of an institution or organization with Lead or attention-getter- first statement in the essay which
the abbreviation in parenthesis, in first mention. Thereafter, aims to hook the readers
use the abbreviation. Transitional statement- links the lead to the thesis statement.
5. Numbers from zero to ten should be spelled out while It generally provides background information on the topic.
numbers higher than ten should be written in figures. Thesis statement- states the main idea or argument of the
6. Generally, citations are used in academic and formal texts. essay
However, they are sparingly used in business texts. 2. BODY
Body- meat of the essay - discusses the thesis statement in
A composition can either be a paragraph or an essay. A detail through its paragraphs
paragraph is a group of interrelated sentences that talk 3. CONCLUSION
about one main idea while an essay is a group of Restatement of thesis statement- uses different structure and
paragraphs that talk about one central idea. wording to uphold the language style Transitional
Paragraph Essay statement- talks about the recommendations, benefits of
Organized around a topic sentence Organized around a thesis statement ideas presented or purpose of writing the essay
Contains introductory sentence Contains introductory paragraph Closing statement- used to wrap up the essay
Uses sentences to explain major Uses paragraphs to explain major
points points
May use concluding sentence Always uses a concluding paragraph

Topic Sentence- the central idea of the paragraph; it can

be a stand or a comment, an objective statement, or a
question
Supporting details- sentences that clarify and prove the
main idea
Closing Sentence -concludes the details that have been
presented
Cohesive Devices -transitional devices, pronouns, or
repetition of ideas used in order for all of the sentences to
be linked properly
Unlike a paragraph, an essay has a more elaborate
structure. It is divided into three general parts, namely the
introduction, body and conclusion. Below are the specific
parts of an essay.
I. Introduction
A. Lead or Attention-getter
B. Transitional Statement
C. Thesis Statement
II. Body
A. Major Point 1
1. Minor Detail 1
2. Minor Detail 2