PRINCIPLES

OF EFFECTIVE
WRITING
 PARAGRAPH vs ESSAY
A composition can either be a
paragraph or an essay.

A paragraph is group of interrelated

sentences,
while an essay is a group of paragraphs.
PARAGRAPH = SENTENCES
ESSAY = PARAGRAPH
 The Paragraph
1. Introduction/Topic Sentence
2. Transitional Paragraph/
Cohesive Devices
3. Body/ Supporting Details
4. Closing Sentence
1.Introduction/ Topic Sentence

-The central idea of the

paragraph.
- A lead or attention getter is the
first statement in the essay which
aims to hook the readers.
 2. Cohesive Devices
- transitional devices or repetition of
ideas used in order for all the sentenced to be
linked properly.
(E.g., Next, and then, first type, second type, last
type)
-Its major function is to bridge one
paragraph to another.
 3. Body/Supporting details

-sentences that clarify and prove

the main idea.
- Meat of the essay, it is the discusion of
the statement in detailed. Throughout
the paragraphs.
 4. Closing Sentence/Conclusion
-concludes the details that have been presented.
For example:
Finally, the students of Union College
are now waiting for the Admin’s
Decision.

*The word “Finally was used to put an end to

the sentence”
ASPECTS OF A
WELL-WRITTEN
TEXT
ASPECTS OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT

1.Unity
2.Organization
3.Language Use
4.Mechanics
ASPECTS OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT

1.Unity
- It is achieved when a
composition contains
one focused idea
ASPECTS OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT

2. Organization
-It is achieved when
ideas are logically and
accurately arranged.
•It can be done with a
recognizable plan that
defines one sentence
connection to the other
sentence and paragraph to
the other paragraph
ASPECTS OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT

3. Language Use
-One of the clearest
indicators of a well-
written text.
(6) Rules under the aspect “Language
Use”

1.Use clear sentence.

2.Avoid redundancies, wordiness &
deep meaning languages.
Aspects of a well-written text
1) Unity
2) Coherence & Cohesion
3) Organization

3.Use Precise vocabulary. Be

4) Language use
5) Mechanics

accurate.
(6) Rules under the aspect “Language
Use”
4. Be consistent with your point of view.

5. Avoid Sexist Language (e.g., Chairman,

1)
Aspects of a well-written text
Unity

policeman instead use Chairperson , Police

2) Coherence & Cohesion
3) Organization
4) Language use

officer.
5) Mechanics

6. Use Appropriate level of Formality

ASPECTS OF A WELL-WRITTEN TEXT

4. Mechanics
-It is one of the properties of a well-
written text and is characterized as a
set of conventions on how to spell,
abbreviate, punctuate, and capitalize a
composition
•focuses on the technicalities of the
structure. It determines errors on
subject-verb agreement,
prepositions, tenses, the grammar,
spelling, capitalization,
abbreviations and acronyms, the
use of numbers as part of the
statement, and the punctuation
 Mechanics
1. Always use standard English
2. Avoid contractions like “shouldn’t” it should
be “Should not” 1)
Aspects of a well-written text
Unity

3. Mention the full name of an organization

2) Coherence & Cohesion
3) Organization
4) Language use

with the abbreviation in the parenthesis

5) Mechanics

4. Numbers from zero to ten should be spelled

out, while numbers higher than ten should
be written in figures.
Activity:
•Think of one rule in your home which your parents strictly do not allow (e.g.,
curfews, no sleepovers, no smoking, no drinking of liquors, no partying, or
the like). Write an essay with a minimum of three paragraphs regarding this
rule.

•Use the following guides to help you develop your content.

1)Analyze the reasons why the rule is enforced.
2)State whether or not you agree with the enforcement of this rule.
3)What would be the consequences if you disobey this rule?
4)What are the effects of obeying the rule?
5)What are the advantages and disadvantages of the enforcement of this
rule?