Properties of A Well Written Text PDF

PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN
TEXT
1.ORGANIZATION
2.COHERENCE AND COHESION
3.LANGUAGE USE
4.MECHANICS
1. ORGANIZATION
Each paragraph must be built around a single idea.
Must have the proper paragraphing and logical
order of presentation of ideas.
Paragraphing is dividing a text into paragraphs.
The paragraph is essentially a unit of thought, not of
length.
2. COHERENCE
The property of unity in a written text that
stems from the relationship between its
underlying ideas, and from the logical
organization and development of these ideas. A
paragraph has good coherence when ideas are
arranged in a logical order.
2. COHESION
The property of flow and connection in a
written text that stems from the linguistic links
among its surface elements. A paragraph has
good cohesion when each sentence is clearly
linked to the next through language.
COHESIVE DEVICES
Individual sentences can have connections within them. A
word that connects parts of a sentence is called a
conjunction. The common coordinating conjunctions are:
‘and’, ‘but’, ‘or’, ‘yet’, ‘nor’. There are also subordinating
conjunctions. These establish the relationship between a
dependent clause and the rest of the sentence. A few
common examples are: ‘as’, ‘because’, ‘whereas’, ‘in order
that’, ‘since’, ‘although’.
Sentences within a paragraph may also be linked together. There are various
ways of linking one sentence to another:
repetition of important words
substitution of pronouns eg ‘this’, ‘it’, ‘these’
substitution by synonyms (words with nearly the same meaning)
using linking words or phrases which show the relationship between ideas, eg
‘however’ indicates a contrast, ‘in addition’ gives more information
using grammatical words, especially articles, eg ‘the’ may refer back to a
specific noun previously mentioned.
The linking words such as ‘however’, ‘moreover’, ‘nevertheless’, ‘consequently’,
‘as a result’ are used to express complex relationships between ideas.
cause and effect therefore, thus, consequently, hence, as a result of
addition also, and, and then, equally important, finally, first, further, furthermore, in addition, in fact, in the first
place, last, moreover, next, second
comparison also, in the same way, likewise, similarly
contrast and concession and yet, at the same time, even so, for all that, however, in contrast, in spite of this, instead,
nevertheless, on the other hand, yet
emphasis certainly, indeed, in fact
example or  for example, in conclusion, in other words, namely, specifically, that is, to illustrate, thus
illustration
summary in brief, in other words, in particular, in summary, in short, on the whole, that is, therefore
time sequence eventually, finally, in the first place, in the past, last, next, second, simultaneously, so far, subsequently,
then, thereafter, until now
3. LANGUAGE USE
It is important not only to think about
what you say, but how you say it.
Appropriate language increases one’s
credibility, strengthens his argument and
keeps his audience.
ON APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE
1. Language Formality – Writing in
a style that your audience
expects and that fits your
purpose is key to successful
writing.
2. In group Jargon – Jargon refers to
specialized language used by groups of like-
minded individuals. Only use in-group jargon
when you are writing for members of that
group. You should never use jargon for a
general audience without first explaining it.
EXAMPLES OF MEDICAL JARGON
• Agonal - Term to signify a major, negative change in a
patient's condition
• BP - Medical shorthand for blood pressure
• FX - Medical jargon meaning bone fracture
• JT - A joint
• NPO - A patient should not take anything by mouth
• IM - Intramuscular
• K - The elemental symbol for potassium

EXAMPLES OF BUSINESS JARGON
• Bang for the buck - A term that means, to get the most for
your money
• Due diligence - Putting effort into research before making a

business decision
• Sweat equity - Getting a stake in the business instead of

pay
• The 9-to-5 - Business jargon meaning a standard work day
• Chief cook and bottle-washer - A person who holds many

responsibilities
EXAMPLES OF POLICE JARGON
• Suspect - A person whom the police think may have
committed a crime
• 10-4 - Radio jargon meaning Okay or I understand
• Code Eight - Term that means officer needs help

immediately
• Code Eleven - A code that means the individual is at

the scene of the crime
• FTP - The failure of an individual to pay a fine
• Assumed room temperature: An individual has died

3. Slang and idiomatic expression –

avoid using slang or idiomatic
expressions in general academic
writing.
EXAMPLES OF SLANG
• Frenemy: This combination of "friend" and "enemy" describes a person
who is a little bit of both, perhaps a friend with whom one experiences
regular conflict. 
"You'd be a lot happier if you stopped hanging out with your frenemy."
• Bromance: This combination of "brother" and "romance" describes an

intense friendship between two straight men. 
"I haven't seen Michael since he started hanging out with Jeremy. Their
bromance is epic."
• Ginormous: This combination of "gigantic" and "enormous" means

something very large. 
"You could find a parking space more easily is your car wasn't so
ginormous."
EXAMPLES OF SLANG
BAE: A term of endearment, meaning "before anyone else," used between
romantic partners that can also be used between close friends.
"Bae, you're the best.”
GOAT: Current usage is actually a compliment, as this is now an acronym

that stands for "greatest of all time."
"I don't care what you say, because Tom Brady is the goat.”
Savage: Someone who "roasts" people nonstop and doesn't care what
others will say.
"Jimmy Kimmel's monologue on Donald Trump last night was savage.”
YOLO: An acronym for "you only live once," encouraging people to seize
the day.
"Of course you should go on that trip to Dublin! YOLO!

EXAMPLES OF IDIOMATIC EXPRESSION
-Getting fired turned out to be a blessing in
disguise. - Getting fired (normally a negative
event) turned out to be a good thing.
-I go out for walks once in a blue moon. - I go

out for walks very rarely.
-We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. -

We'll solve that problem when the time comes.
4. Deceitful language and euphemisms
– avoid words that veil the truth or
inoffensive expression for one that may
offend or suggest something
unpleasant.
EXAMPLES OF EUPHEMISMS
• Passed away instead of died
• Correctional facility instead of jail
• Departed instead of died
• Differently-abled instead of handicapped or

disabled
• Negative patient outcome instead of dead
• Letting someone go instead of firing someone
• Pregnancy termination instead of abortion
• On the streets instead of homeless

5. Biased language – avoid using
any biased language including
language with a racial, ethnic, group
or gender bias or language that is
stereotypical.
EXAMPLES OF BIASED LANGUAGE
Avoid Use
actress actor
authoress author
chairman chairperson
female astronaut astronaut
forefathers ancestors
foreman. supervisor
mailman mail carrier
male nurse nurse
man, mankind person, people, our species, human beings,
manmade synthetic
policeman, policewoman police officer
salesman sales representative, salesclerk
4.MECHANICS
Describe the technical aspects of writing.
It specifies the established conventions for
words that you use – spelling, punctuation,
capitalization, grammar, etc.

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PROPERTIES OF A WELL-WRITTEN

comparison also, in the same way, likewise, similarly

emphasis certainly, indeed, in fact

• BP - Medical shorthand for blood pressure

• FX - Medical jargon meaning bone fracture

• NPO - A patient should not take anything by mouth

• K - The elemental symbol for potassium

• Due diligence - Putting eﬀort into research before making a

• Sweat equity - Getting a stake in the business instead of

• The 9-to-5 - Business jargon meaning a standard work day

• Chief cook and bottle-washer - A person who holds many

• 10-4 - Radio jargon meaning Okay or I understand

• Code Eight - Term that means oﬃcer needs help

• Code Eleven - A code that means the individual is at

• FTP - The failure of an individual to pay a fine

• Assumed room temperature: An individual has died

3. Slang and idiomatic expression –

• Bromance: This combination of "brother" and "romance" describes an

• Ginormous: This combination of "gigantic" and "enormous" means

"Bae, you're the best.”

GOAT: Current usage is actually a compliment, as this is now an acronym

"Jimmy Kimmel's monologue on Donald Trump last night was savage.”

"Of course you should go on that trip to Dublin! YOLO!

-I go out for walks once in a blue moon. - I go

-We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. -

• Correctional facility instead of jail

• Departed instead of died

• Diﬀerently-abled instead of handicapped or

• Negative patient outcome instead of dead

• Letting someone go instead of firing someone

• Pregnancy termination instead of abortion

• On the streets instead of homeless

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