READING AND WRITING SKILLS

Book Review or Book Critique

A specialized form of academic writing which the reviewer evaluates the contribution to knowledge of scholarly works such as academic books and journal articles.

Introduction (book review)

Around 5 % of the paper
Title
Writer's name
Writer's thesis statement

Summary (book review)

Around 10% if the paper

Writer's objective or purpose
Methods used (if applicable)
Major findings or claims

review or critique (book review)

Around 75% of the paper

Appropriateness of methodology to support arguments
Theoretical soundness
Soundness of explanation in relation to other available information and experts
Sufficiency of explanation
Other perspective in explaining concepts and ideas
Coherence of ideas

Conclusion (book review)

Around 10% of the paper

Overall impression of the work
Scholarly value of the reviewed article/ book
Benefits to intended audience
Suggestion for the future directions

Critical Reading

It goes beyond extracting information from a text; rather, it involves recognizing the writer's purpose, identifying the tone and persuasive elements, and recognizing biases.

Hypertext

characterize by the external links embedded in a text by the writer

Intertext

refers to a work whose meaning is shaped by referencing or calling to mind other text

Claim of fact

an argument about quantifiable topic

Claim of value

argues whether something is good or bad

Claim of policy

an argument which asserts the implementation of certain policy (solution)

Logical Fallacies

errors in reasoning that invalidate an argument

Paragraph

composed of 3 major parts; the topic sentence, the body(supporting details), and the closing sentence

Topic sentence

- central idea of the paragraph

Supporting details

- clarify and prove the main idea

Closing sentence

- concludes the details that have been presented

essay

a group of paragraphs that talk about one central idea

essay

divided into 3 general parts, namely the introduction, body, and conclusion

Reaction paper (review & critique)

Usually range in length from 250 to 750 words.

Formalism

it posits that the key to understanding a text is through the TEXT itself; the historical context, the author, or any other external contexts are not necessary in interpreting the meaning.

College admission application letter

It shows your interest in the university while justifying that you are qualified.

Professional Writing

It follows a standard format.

introduction (college admission application letter)

State who you are and what you are applying for.
State an eye-catching statement about yourself. 
Show your enthusiasm to study in the university you are applying to.

body (college admission application letter)

Present your academic qualifications, extracurricular involvement , community activity engagements, and some personal qualities with specific evidence.

Organize your thoughts and segregate them into paragraphs.

State benefits the university can obtain by admitting you.

conclusion (college admission application letter)

Indicate your interest for an interview.

Indicate how the interviewer can contact you.

Express your hope for a positive response from the Admission Director.

Say thank you.

Literature Review

Provides an overview of a specific topic

Literature Review

Surveys scholarly work such as academic books (not textbooks), computerized databases, conference proceedings, dissertation/thesis, empirical studies, government reports, historical records, journal articles, monographs, and statistical handbooks

Literature Review

It combines both summary and synthesis

Research Report

An expanded paper that presents interpretations and analysis of a phenomenon based on experiments and previous information so that the readers can better understand it

Research Report

A laborious work produced through formal investigation and scientific inquiry

Project Proposal

A highly persuasive and informative document that aims to address a particular problem or issue

Project Proposal

It is a bid or offer to initiate a project for an individual or a group

Position Paper

Presents one's stand or viewpoint an a particular issue

Position Paper

The main objective in writing this paper is to take part in a larger debate by stating your arguments and proposed course of action

business letter

An effective ___________ elicits the expected response from the readers

business letter

Serves several purposes:
For sales efforts
For complaints
For information dissemination
For relationship building

Letterhead

identifies the writer, his/her address, and contact numbers

Date

placed between the letterhead and the inside address

Inside address

identifies the reader's name, position and company, and address; it is placed immediately below the date

Attention line

ed when the writer wishes to address the whole company but wants to bring it to the attention of a particular person in the company

Salutation

refers to the writers greeting to the readers

Body

contains the message of the letter

Body

paragraphs are single- spaced but double- spaced to separate paragraphs

Body

if the letter is too short, it can be double spaced or triple spaced to separate paragraphs

Assertion

declarative sentences that claim something is true about something

Assertion

It is a sentence that is either true or false

Fact, Convention, Opinion, Preference

Common Types of Assertion

Fact

This is a statement that can be proven objectively by direct experience, testimonies of witnesses, verified observations or the results of the research

Fact

The sampaguita’s roots are used for medicinal purposes, such as an aesthetic and sedative

Convention

It is a way in which something is done, similar to traditions and norms

Convention

This depends on historical precedent, laws, rules, usage, and customs

Convention

Sampaguita is often sold near churches

Opinion

This is based on facts but is difficult to objectively verify because of the uncertainty of producing satisfactory proofs of soundness.

Opinion

The popularity of sampaguita flowers is most evident in places of worship.

Preference

It is based on personal choice; therefore they are subjective and cannot be objectively proven or logically attached.

Preference

Sampaguita are the most beautiful and most fragrant of all flowers.