ENGLISH • Is done usually before a writer starts

PRELIMINARY EXAMS REVIEWER writing

ABM Society • Is a piece of writing that is made up of
© Team Treasurer three pages
• Takes a writer’s mind off of things that are
Lesson 1 – Writer’s block
not related to his writing task
How to deal with writer’s block? Lesson 2 – Graphic organizer
1) Making meaning
• POSITIVE SELF-TALK 2) Graph
o “I can do it, yes I can!” 3) Illustration
• LISTING YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS 4) Organize
o Remind yourself of what you have 5) Systematize
accomplished in the past Therefore
• BRAINSTORM • A graphic organizer is a systematic
o Think of relevant ideas illustration of ideas taken from a text
• DIVIDE LARGE TASKS you’ve read
o Write one part at a time • It is a more interesting way of providing
• CONCEDE ITS EXISTENCE an overview of a text.
o Do not entertain the feeling of not • Graphic organizers may be used to
wanting to write; summarize information from an academic
• READ FOR A BREAK paper.
o best ideas come when the mind is • For qualitative research, these may be
rested used to verbalize your
• ESTABLISH A ROUTINE conceptual/theoretical framework.
o prepare yourself to write when that
specific time comes 1. 1. VENN DIAGRAM
• SHOW UP FOR WORK
o Commit to a time for writing ● illustrates similarities and differences
between concepts
• COPE WITH BADNESS
o Do not think that what you have
written is bad; writing is a process
that involves editing and revising until
the output becomes good
• REINVENT YOUR SPACE
o create an environment conducive for
writing
• GO BACK TO THE START
o ask yourself the purpose as to why you
are writing 2. T-CHART
Morning pages
• SERVES AS A DUMPING SITE OF THE ● illustrates the differences between
WRITER concepts
• Is a tool where the writer disposes ideas
that get in the way of writing
• Is not something that the writer may use
for his actual message

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3. DATA RETRIEVAL CHART

• is a modified version of a t-chart

7. SUNGRAM
• shows minor topics arising from a
major topic

4. DATA STORAGE CHART

• contains missing elements

8. PYRAMID
• shows hierarchy of concepts

5. FLOWCHART DIAGRAM
• shows sequence in events, steps in 9. TIMELINE
a process or cause and effect • shows sequence of events

10. FIRE TRIANGLE

6. ISHIKAWA DIAGRAM
• also shows causes and effects

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 • shows the relationship between 3 elements • Concept, Position, Reaction Papers
that are dependent of one another • School Setting
• Impersonal (Third Person)

Professional Writing

• Technical Reports
• Business Correspondence
• Instructional Manuals
• Brochures
• Work Setting
Understanding a Reading Material • May use Personal Tone

• Schemata
o Background Knowledge

Reading and Schema

Three ways of processing info when reading

• Bottoms Up
o Relies on Author’s idea
o Understanding is more reliant on what
you read
• Top Down
o Relies more on Schemata
o Understanding is more relient on Concept Paper
Schemata
• Inter Active • type of text that discusses or clarifies the
o Equally use your Schemata and “whatness” of idea/term.
author’s idea
• starts with a definition, either formal or
o Understanding is reliant on both
schemata and what you read informal, of the term or the concept and
proceeds with an expanded definition and
Lesson 3 – Reading and Writing connection analytic description of the aspects of the
• Is an expression to indicate the strong concept.
relationship between reading and writing. • In the academic setting, a concept paper
• First, both reading and writing involve may come in a form of a research proposal.
active thinking process. • It is something that is done before a full
• Second, both reading and writing involve a
blown research paper is carried out,
multi-step process.
o PRE-READING OR PRE-WRITING implemented, or approved for funding.
o DURING READING OR WRITING STAGE
o POST-READING OR POSTWRITING PROJECT PROPOSAL
STAGE
• THIRD, BOTH READING AND WRITING • Concept paper in the workplace
REINFORCE OR STRENGTHEN EACH OTHER. • A request for financial assistance to
implement a project.
Academic Writing • A statement of work
• Is a detailed description of a series of
• Academic Essays activities aimed at solving a certain problem
• Book and Literature Reviews • It is created to ensure that it gets the support
• Research Report it needs when the project is implemented.
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 • A highly persuasive and informative convince readers to agree to an argument or claim
about a particular topic.”
In order to be successful, the document should... • It is a genre of writing that requires the student to
investigate a topic; collect, generate, and evaluate
• Clear evidence. It establishes a position on the topic in a
• Accurate & objective concise manner meant to convince readers and
• Accessible make people agree by highlighting a stand and
• Concise showing both sides of an issue. It is also a piece of
• Underst andable writing used to convince readers to agree to an
• Based on facts argument or claim about a particular topic.
• All possible questions are answered
• Brief but substantial DEFINING ESSAYS
• Articulate the activities for the proposed
project • A piece of writing on a particular subject
• Show the idea's relationship to past actions often expressing one’s point of view written
• Illustrate the significance of the idea in paragraphs to discuss or highlight several
points.
• Provide a logical presentation of a research
idea
Parts of an essay

PARTS OF PROPOSAL • Title

o catch the interest of readers
• Project Title
• INTRODUCTION
• Rationale
• Objectives of the Project o introduces the thesis statement gives
• Project Proponents background information
• Description of the project • BODY
• Target Beneficiaries/ Audience o justifies main idea
• Venue o provides supporting
• Project Duration details
• Program Flow o justifies the thesis
• Budget Proposal statement
• Monitoring and Evaluation • CONCLUSION
o summarizes everything that has
been discussed o reviews main
points

FORMS OF PERSUASIVE WRITING

• Editorial
o state the opinion of the editors and
publishers of news organizations.
• Review
o evaluate items and activities, such as
books, movies, plays, and music from
Lesson 4 – ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY
the writer’s point of view.
• “The argumentative essay, also called the • Advertisements
persuasive essay, is a piece of writing used to

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 o paid announcements that try to TO THE PROMPT THAT YOU ARE WRITING
convince people to buy or do A REACTION TO.
something. • Is a reaction to something you have read or
• OP-ED seen
o piece is an essay that tries to • Should be organized
convince readers to agree with the • Has citations and references
writer’s views on an issue. • Includes opinions that are well-supported
• Letters to the Editor with evidence
o letters sent to print and Internet • Is a judgment, analysis, or evaluation of the
publications to express opinions in issues about the topic
response to previously published
articles. A reaction paper SHOULD NOT
• Propaganda
• Include a lot of “I think,” “I feel,” or “I
o uses emotional appeal and often believe” statements
biased, false, or misleading • Use the pronoun “you”
information to persuade people to
• Simply repeat what the author has already
think or act in a certain way.
said
• Use them sparingly to avoid sounding too
Parts of Argumentation
autobiographical
• ARGUMENT/CLAIM • Avoid sounding too preachy or too imposing
o An argument states a claim and • You have to provide insights that look at the
supports it with reasons and evidence prompt from a different perspective.
from sources.
• COUNTERARGUMENT/COUNTERCLAIM WHAT SHOULD A REACTION PAPER INCLUDE?
o A counterargument is an argument
(point/reason/view/evidence) that
• provide ideas as proof of understanding
your opponent would make. o It tries
to explain why you are wrong. • don’t deviate from the topic
• REFUTATION • avoid sounding too biased
o A rebuttal is when you respond
directly to your opponent’s Steps in Writing a Reaction Paper
argument/point to explain/show
how/why they are wrong. • Reading and studying the material
o Simply disproving an opposing • Annotate the text as you read.
argument • Ask questions as you read.
• Free write.
REACTION PAPER
• Decide on your angle & Determine your thesis
• is a response to some sort of prompt. The • Organize your paper.
prompt may be a question, a current event, • Gather quotations.
or a form of media, including movies or video • Structure your paragraph.
clips. It is a popular academic assignment
because it requires thoughtful reading, CRITIQUE PAPER
research, and writing.
• YOU DON’T JUST WRITE A REACTION • a genre of academic writing that briefly
• PAPER. IT IS CUSTOMARY THAT YOU HAVE summarizes and critically evaluates a work or
SPENT ENOUGH TIME EXPOSING YOURSELF concept.
• IT EVALUATES WORKS SUCH AS…
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 o Creative works STAGES INVOLVED IN PRE-WRITING
▪ novels, exhibits, film,
images, poetry • DEFINING PURPOSE
o Research • CHOOSING CHANNEL AND MEDIUM
▪ monographs, journal • ANALYZING AUDIENCE
articles, systematic reviews,
theories The letter should be…
o Media
▪ news reports, feature • REALISTIC
articles • TIMELY
PARTS OF A CRITIQUE PAPER • APPROPRIATE
• INTRODUCTION • ACCEPTABLE
o Article and its author
o Your main point (evaluation of
the article)
• BODY
o Summary of the issues
o Author’s key assumptions
o Your perspective on these
assumptions
o Basis/criteria used for evaluation
• CONCLUSION:
o overall evaluation of the work
o A summary of the key reasons,
identified during the critical ESTABLISHING GOOD RELATIONSHIPS
evaluation, why this evaluation
was formed. • Spotlight audience benefits
o Sometimes: recommendations o Focus your statements on the
for improvement audience, not the sender.
• Cultivate a “You” view
Lesson 5 – Creating a Business Message
o Emphasize second-person
pronouns (you/your) instead of
• PURPOSEFUL
first-person pronouns (I/we, us,
• ECONOMICAL
our)
• AUDIENCE ORIENTED
• Sound conversational
• PROCESS ORIENTED
o Levels of language use
• Use positive language
Process of Creating a Business Message o Avoid sounding demanding,
preachy, or rude.
• Use inclusive language
• Adopt plain language
o Avoid federalese, bureaucratese, and
inflated language
• Draw on familiar words

6
 o Avoid long, difficult, and unfamiliar
words. Use short, simple, and
common words whenever possible.

In choosing a channel or medium you should

consider…

• URGENCY OF FEEDBACK
• COST
• FORMALITY
• CONFIDENTIALITY
• PERMANENCE

STAGES INVOLVED IN WRITING

• RESEARCHING
o Formal

▪ Search manually (books,

magazines, journals).
▪ Access data electronically.
▪ Go to the source.
▪ Conduct scientific experiments. • Active voice
o Use the active
o Informal voice for
o most business
▪ Look in your organization’s files. writing.
▪ Talk with your boss • Passive voice
▪ Conduct an informal survey by o to emphasize an
interviewing the target audience action or the
recipient of the
• ORGANIZING action– rather than
• the actor
o SCRATCHLIST
o to break bad news
§ Randomly enumerating ideas
• Fused sentence
o OUTLINE
o a type of run-on sentence in
§ Identifying the major and which two independent clauses
minor points are run together (or "fused")
without an appropriate
• COMPOSING conjunction or mark of
o Effective sentences punctuation between them,
o Structures such as a semicolon or a period.
o Errors • Sentence fragments
o is a group of words that looks like
a sentence, but actually isn't a
complete sentence. Sentence
fragments are usually missing a
subject or verb, or they do not
express a complete thought.
• Comma slice
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 o when two independent clauses are • Precise words
incorrectly joined by a comma to o Revise your writing to include precise
make one sentence. To avoid words. Strive for specific verbs,
comma splices, you first need to concrete nouns, and vivid adjectives.
be able to identify an independent Beware of unclear pronouns.
clause. o Revise your writing to include
• Misplaced modifiers descriptive, dynamic adjectives
o is a word, phrase, or clause that is instead of overworked, all-purpose
improperly separated from the ones.
word it modifies / describes. • Capitalization numbers & bullets
• Dangling modifiers o Use a numbered list for
o is a word or phrase that modifies instructions. Letters
a word not clearly stated in the o Use letters to list items within
sentence. sentences. Strive for parallelism.
• Developing parallelism • Column headings
o Organize information with column
o is the repetition of a chosen
headings.
grammatical form within a
• Paragraph headings
sentence.
o Use paragraph headings to
IN REVISING YOU SHOULD CONSIDER… improve organization and readability.

• Grammar Lesson 6 – LETTERS FOR EXTERNAL

o Proper use of words as they ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
relate with other words in a
sentence
• Mechanics
o Writing conventions
o (how words are formed)

• Design
o Physical appearance of the whole
business message/readability

• Subject – verb agreement

o Pronoun-antecedent rel. WRITING PLAN FOR A DIRECT INFORMATION
o Redundant expressions REQUEST
• Buried verbs
• Opening
o Revise verbs that have been o State requests politely
converted to nouns. • Body
o Explain request
• Closing
• Control exuberance
o Give the date of expected reply And
reason
o To sound credible, don’t
overuse intensifiers such as very,
definitely, quite, completely, OPENING: TIPS IN STATING REQUESTS
extremely, really, actually, and
totally • Do

8
 o Will you please answer the following • COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE
questions regarding possible o Words such as sincerely, respectfully,
accommodations at the Hyatt Regency very truly yours, & others
for a conference in May. • SIGNATURE LINE
• Don’ts o Full name of the sender followed by
o I’ve been given the task of locating a his position in the company
convention site for my company’s • REFERENCE INITIALS
meeting. o The initials of the writer & sender’s
o I’ve checked a number of places, and name in capital letters
your hotel looks possible.

BODY: TIPS IN STATING REQUESTS

• Reason for requesting

• Additional questions related to the request
presented in bullet form.
• WHAT POSSIBLE QUESTIONS CAN YOU ADD TO
THE FF. INFO REQUEST?
o Discount offered for orders made in
bulk
o Rates for catering services
o Availability of function rooms in a
hotel

CLOSING: GIVING EXPECTED DATE OF REPLY

• Do
o We would appreciate receiving
answers to these questions before
April 4 so that we will have plenty of
time to plan our conference.
• Don’t
o Thanks for any information you can
provide.

PARTS OF A BUSINESS LETTER ALWAYS REMEMBER..

• LETTERHEAD • 2 inches from top or 1 blank line below

letterhead
o Company name, address and contact
number • 2 – 10 lines between dateline and inside
• DATELINE address
o The date when the letter was sent • In body have single-spaced paragraphs; leave
1 blank line between paragraphs
• INSIDE ADDRESS
o Full name of the recipient, position in • 3 blank lines or Hit ENTER four times after
the company, name of the company, complimentary close to allow space for
and address of the company signature
• SALUTATION • The rest is 1 blank line
o ‘Dear’ followed by the surname of the
recipient, followed by a colon, or a Lesson 7 – Other types of Business letter
comma.
• CONTENT • Reply
o The message itself containing the o written to respond to an INFORMATION
opening, body, and closing REQUEST

9
 • Claim • All Meralco offices invite their customers to
o written by a client to identify a fill out a survey questionnaire provided at
problem with a product or service every counter and drop it in suggestion boxes
• Adjustment in front of every office, so they can conduct
o written in response to a complaint or regular quantitative and qualitative analysis
CLAIM on the customers’ satisfaction rate.
• Mr. Cruz wrote a memo to his immediate
UNDER REPLY subordinates to inform them of the new
guideline policies pertaining to attendance
• Opening bonus.
o Respond to main request
• Body EXAMPLE OF INTERNAL ORGANIZATIONAL
o Answer and Add COMMUNICATION
• Closing
o Entice • Mrs. Reyes, a regular employee, sees to it
that her new co-workers can still cope with
UNDER CLAIM the demands of the company by taking the
initiative to check on them from time to
• Opening time.
o Desired action • The sales manager of a music store
• Body coordinates with his subordinates in order for
o Background info them to be notified about their store’s latest
• Closing promo.
o Goodwill expression
IN CONCLUSION…
ADJUSTMENT
• THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS BY WHICH WE
• Opening CAN COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER
o Grant INTERNALLY AND EXTERNALLY IN THE
WORKPLACE OR BUSINESS SETTING.
• Body
o Regain
• Closing
o Express COMPONENTS OF EMAIL AND MEMO
o
• Subject line
Lesson 8 – COMMUNICATING IN THE WORKPLACE o Attention getter
• Opening
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION o Main idea
• Body
o Supporting details
• Internal organizational communication
• Closing
o Interaction between & among
o Prepares the reader of the message’s
company representatives
ending
• External organizational communication
o Interaction between the company and
outsiders USES

EXAMPLE OF EXTERNAL ORGANIZATIONAL • INFORM

COMMUNICATION • REQUEST
• REPLY
• Toyota Philippines advertised its latest model • ENUMERATE PROCEDURE
cars for the year 2010-2011 through an
infomercial. FORMATTING EMAIL MESSAGES

10
 • GUIDE WORDS o Create your resume following the
o Double-space DATE, TO, FROM, prescribed format
SUBJECT. • Understand the process
• TOP AND BOTTOM MARGINS o Wait to be called for an interview
o On plain paper set 1-inch top and • Prepare for the interview
bottom margins; 1.25 inches for side o Practice answering most commonly
margins asked interview questions
o If desired, type the company name 1 • Complete the interview
inch from the top. o Ace the interview
o A double-space below the company • Follow up and accept the job
name, type heading “Memo” or o Check for updates and decide if you
“Memorandum.” want to accept the job offer

PREPARING YOUR RESUME

• Gather information
o Employment history
o Educational background
o Personal experiences
• Organize the resume
o Results oriented
o Career progress
o Flexibility
o Well rounded
o High standards
o Communication
• Compose the resume
o Contact Information
o Introductory statement
o Educational background
OTHER TIPS IN CREATING AN EMAIL MESSAGE
o Employment history
o Activities and Achievements
• Consider composing off line. o Relevant personal data
• Type the receiver’s address correctly.
• Don’t use e-mail to avoid contact COMMON RESUME ISSUES
• Scan all messages before replying.
• Revise the subject line if the topic changes. • Frequent job changes
• Never respond when you are angry. o Avoid suggesting in your resumes that
• Don’t use company computers for personal you always move from one place to
matters unless allowed by your organization. another
• Assume that your e-mail is monitored • Gaps in work history
Acknowledge receipt. o Avoid implying you have been idle for
months/years
Lesson 9 – Resume writing • Level of experience
o You can’t be too inexperienced and
THE JOB SEARCH PROCESS overqualified.
• Long term with one firm
• Build toward career o If there is not much employment
o Complete a degree and attend history, itemize positions held to show
seminars, trainings, conferences, & progress
workshops • For cause termination
• Prepare your resume o If a victim of retrenchment, clear your
name in the interview

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 • Criminal record • Too wordy
o If cleared of previous charges, no need • Difficult to read
to disclose. Or be honest and clear • Poorly produced
your name. • Boastful tone
• Short and sketchy
CHOOSE A RESUME STYLE • Amateurish
• Writing problems
• Chronological • Gimmicky design
o Focuses on job history with most
recent positions listed first ARRANGING THE PARTS OF YOUR RESUME
• Functional
o Focuses on skills & experiences • Main heading
• Combination • Career objective
o includes the best of the chronological • Summary of qualification
and functional styles
• Education
• Work Experience
!! REMEMBER: ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL !!
• Special skills
• Achievements, Awards and Activities
TIPS IN WRITING CHRONOLOGICAL RESUME
Lesson 10 – APPLICATION LETTERS or COVER
• Include only the most important information LETTERS
about each position.
• Be specific rather than general in your
✓ Whenever you submit your résumé, accompany it
descriptions, using concise and vivid
language. with an application letter to let readers know what
you are sending, why you are sending it, and how
• Quantify the impact of your actions in your
they can benefit from reading it.
previous positions by including facts, figures,
and numbers.
• Be sure to include a list of key contributions
you presented or achievements you made to
your past positions.
• Find key words and terminology in the job
posting and use them in your resume.
• Don't use unnecessary text. Have someone
read your resume and help you to cut out
extra unnecessary words.

FUNCTIONAL RESUME

• Focuses on one’s skills and experience

• Does not include chronological time and is
most often used by people with work gaps
TIPS FOR APPLICATION LETTER
COMBINATION RESUME
• Be clear and specific
• A combination resumé includes the best of o Respect your reader’s time; go
the chronological and functional approaches. straight to the point
Nevertheless, it is not commonly used for two • Show your knowledge
reasons: it tends to be longer, and it can be o Show that you understand the
repetitive. company
• Do not mention salary
TYPICAL RESUME PROBLEMS o Never talk about your desired salary
• Keep it short
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 o It should be made up one page only.
• Show your personality
o Show a little more about yourself
which the resume can’t give
• Aim for high quality
o Avoid committing minor lapses

USE THE AIDA MODEL

1) Attention
a) State your intention
2) Interest
a) Discuss briefly your educational
background and work experience
3) Design
a) Indicate your traits leading them to
think you are qualified
4) Action
a) Provide action information

Proofread by Team Secretary

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