The Word

1.       The Word

The writer must have a control over the usage of words – this means that one must be able to give name to an idea and the ability to select the right term for it. The key to word usage is the writer’s ability to maximize his or her senses and put it into words. Word power increases as the user continuously name ideas and its usage fits correctly in application.

Ex: stammer = stutter, falter;

      Said = cried, groaned, urged, demanded, pleaded

      Whispered = murmured, muttered, moaned, choked

Words can be use to reveal or conceal thoughts. The word ‘free enterprise’ for example may mean capitalism for some or a business opportunity for others.

Here are some tips in word usage:

v  Have a clear idea of what you mean

v  Do not be afraid of new words

v  Keep dictionary handy

v  Use words in exact sense

v  Use figures of speech to empower ideas

v  Avoid ‘blanket’ words that could be expressed directly

General and abstract words may sound clever but on the contrary, usage of these words may not communicate much what the writer wants to explain.

Ex: love, happiness, vehicle, faith, movement, wisdom, female

These words that describe qualities or attributes, classes of things, ideas and action often do require explanations and writers are obliged to provide such. In semantics, there is a diagram that is called abstraction ladder that as you step down words becomes more specific and concrete:

Abstract – General

Medium of exchange

Money

Coin

A centavo

Concrete - Specific

                                                                                                                                                                       

In terms of the level of meaning, words can be classified into two:

1.       Denotation – literal, ordinary, neutral meaning of a word; little more than the official meaning of the word

Ex: Scarlet = red

2.       Connotation -  what the word suggests or implies; helps to fill out its personality

Ex: Scarlet = revolution, blood, heat, royalty, sin wealth

ref: Serrano, Josephine B., et al; 'Advanced Composition'; National Bookstore. 1981

Building Blocks of Composition

The building blocks of a good composition are words, sentences and paragraphs. The ability to choose the correct word to express precisely the idea that you have in mind will give your speech and writing an admirable distinction; the ability to write coherent, unified and effective sentences will give you a sense of power; the ability to develop your ideas into logical comprehensive paragraphs will show you that you have mastered the art of good writing.

Experienced writers use inductive method of thought development – smaller unit to larger units of information. Herbert Reade writes:  “It is nearer the truth to say that a writer seizes upon some particular aspect of his subject and holds that aspect in his mind until he has seen it in all its profitable lights.”

ref: Serrano, Josephine B., et al; 'Advanced Composition'; National Bookstore. 1981

Introduction: Pre-Writing

Pre-writing is the total process of finding and shaping a subject. This stage confronts the psychological problems of composition writing.

 Pre-writing is a method of discovering the subject to write that involves the willingness to think your own thoughts, to sort them out, to explore why you have them and to come to a tentative conclusion about what they are and why they  interest you.

               

In the later stages of pre-writing, you will have to be more specific by limiting your subject and consider your audience in preparing to write.

Evaluative Categories of a Good Composition

1.       Thesis

Thesis is the declaration of a statement and what is intended to be proven. This should contain the clear stand on a subject and a brief background of the supporting details.

A good thesis should be authoritative that indicates the writer’s knowledge about the subject area.

To achieve a strong thesis, statement should be narrowed down so that the writer in his theme can properly qualify and support his generalizations in the space allowed.

Homologous discourse of the statements about one thing or class of things provides an avenue of the thesis to be unified which is another good quality of a thesis.

Moreover, thesis should be specifically worded for this will help the writer to choose and develop his subject.

2.       Organization

Organization pertains to the logical arrangement of parts of the composition –from introduction to conclusion. An organized composition will be able to provide a clear and logical perspective of the writer.

3.       Content

The content of the composition should be able to provide detailed information about two general questions: ‘what are you talking about?’ and ‘what do you mean?’

This is also the part of the composition that gives supporting details that are relevant, accurate, convincing and interesting. Though the stand of the writer might be clear and the write-up is tight, without a good content, both will be meaningless.

4.       Use of Words

Choice of words provides the register or tone of appropriateness of the composition, its accuracy gives a clear view of what the writer wants to say and its clarity connects the writer to his or her readers.

5.       Sentence and Style

In writing a composition, proper choice of words would not be enough if not logically connected with each other. Putting them together creates sentences that should present variation and in effect displays style.

6.       Mechanics

Mechanics refers to grammar, spelling and punctuation, physical appearance that denotes legibility.  As a general rule, composition should be free of any mechanical errors. Nowadays, mechanical errors are the least worries of writers with the aid of technology – from personal software to online assistances.

ref: Serrano, Josephine B., et al; 'Advanced Composition'; National Bookstore. 1981

Advanced Composition Syllabus

Eng 105: Advanced Composition Syllabus

I.                    Introduction

A.      Pre-Writing

B.      Strategies

C.      Words

D.      Figures of Speech

E.       Sentence

F.       Coherence

G.     Paragraph

H.      Style

II.                  Composition

A.      Content

B.      Organization

C.      Mechanics

D.      Composition Building

E.       Outline

III.                Exposition

A.       Classification of Composition

B.      Planning the Exposition

C.      Types of Exposition

IV.                Research Paper

A.      Steps in doing a Research

B.      Footnoting

C.      Bibliography

D.      Final Paper

E.       Putting into Paper

V.                  Business Letter

A.      Parts of a Business Letter

B.      Types of Business Letter

VI.                Narration

A.      Definition of Narration

B.      Elements of Narration

C.      Selection Details

D.      Patterns

E.       Narrative Exposition

VII.              Description

A.      What is a Description

B.      Kinds of Description

C.      Dictation

D.      Point of View

E.       Singleness of Impression

F.       Details Selection

G.     Order of Details

H.      Descriptive Exposition

VIII.            Argumentation

A.       Definition of Argumentation

B.      The Proposition

C.      Nature of Proof

D.      Evidences

E.       Evaluating Evidences

F.       Evaluating Authority

G.     Probability

H.      Refutation

I.        Argumentative Exposition