GEN 001: PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

or the other.” (The Department of English,

MODULE 8: EXPLORING THE ESSAY University of Victoria, 1995).
ESSAY - it’s a piece of writing, formal writing and its ● Slanted language is the use of words that
usually based on author's POV. It deals in one topic are either favorable or unfavorable to the
only. Essay is non-fiction. idea or person being discussed.
FICTION – based on imagination ● Slanted language can lead an audience
NON-FICTION – based on truth into feeling either negatively or positively.
● Slanted language through word choice:
Essay writing - is there for us to express or propose ● Slanted language through word choice:
our ideas, to prove a point. Negatively Neutral word Positively
BASIC STRUCTURE OF A 5-PARAGRAPH ESSAY Slanted word (USED) Slanted word
(IBC)
1. Introduction – 1 paragraph confessed, state, say shared,
2. Body – 2 paragraph admitted imparted
3. Conclusion – 1 paragraph
MODULE 9: Understanding an Opinion Essay plot, scheme plan prepare

Essay is a written composition made up of a few annoyed, irritated bothered concerned

paragraphs that expresses the author’s personal point

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of view.

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mistake, blunder error oversight
FACT
- can be verified outdated, old , used antique,
- unbiased
- present the information in an objective manners
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- Slanted language through sentence construction:
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OPINION
(Notice how the same message, slanted one way, then
- might be biased
the other affects how you feel and ultimately, how you
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- based on emotion
think.)
- it is what a person believes or thinks
Negatively Neutral Positively
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Opinion Essays Slanted sentence Slanted

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- Express what you think or feel about an issue sentence sentence

h

- Claim: Agreeing or disagreeing with an issue or The Philippine The Philippine Despite the
nd

proposing a solution to an issue Azkals suffered Azkals scored 0 great game by

- Evidences: reasons for your opinion an embarrassing and Real Madrid the Azkals,
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Ex: defeat under the scored 2. Spain won the

Topic Claim Evidences boots of Real match.
Madrid.
Wearing Agree - neat The governor The governor The governor
uniforms - identity allowed a signed the pardoned the
in college - equalizer between social convicted release papers of prisoner.
classes criminal to roam the prisoner.
Topic Claim Evidences the streets.
Wearing Disagree - restricts creativity
uniforms - loss of personality
in college - loss of freedom to choose MODULE 12: Applying Slanted Language
Remember:
MODULE 10:Understanding Slanted Language Be careful when you are reading or listening to
Slanted Language information.
● “Most languages in one way or another express ● First: be careful if it is a fact or an opinion.
an opinion as well as communicating facts. If ● Second: Watch out for the positive or the
you wish to point out that a person saves money, negative slant when people judge or interpret a
you may choose a word like “thrifty” – which fact.
signals approval of the activity - or “miserly” - Ex.
which signals disapproval. Either way your Clingy partner vs. Affectionate partner
discussion will be "slanted" toward one judgment Non-participative student vs. Quietly reflecting student
GEN 001: PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

Make sure you are aware when people are expressing Online – websites, videos, photos, presentations
their own thoughts or their own understanding and ● Wikipedia: Content is friendly to read, but
feelings toward a topic or issue. Their statements are validity is not always reliable. Should not be
not necessarily facts. Most people have hidden used as a main source.
agendas – they want to influence how you think. ● Internet – Check for reliability.
Ex. ● Authority – Is there an author? Is the author an
The team leader was bossy. (disgruntled member; expert on the topic s/he is writing about? Is the
leader-wanna-be) author part of a recognized organization?
The team leader showed good leadership skills. ● Accuracy – Is it free from spelling and grammar
(favor-seeking member; best friend) errors? Has the content been reviewed by other
The team leader made decisions. (neutral) experts? Does it have other sources?
● Objectivity – Does the author present objective
Research more about the facts before making arguments? Is it clear when s/he is expressing
conclusions. personal opinions?
Ex. ● Currency – Are the information and website up
“Gay student’s University application revoked.” to date? Are the links working?
– Implies that the basis for no allowing her/him to enroll ● URL – Is the web address personal or
is because of his gender. Real reason could be that the institutional “.edu”(school or university) or “.gov”
student failed the entrance test. S/he just happens to be (government)

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gay too.

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“Government scholars protest instead of attending
classes.”
– implies that protesters choose between attending
protest rallies and attending classes when one event
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does not preclude the other.
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MODULE 13: Understanding an Informative Essay

Informative Essays
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- Tells the audience about a topic; describes an object,

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person, place, idea, experience, situation, etc.;

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- It is often factual - usually answers the questions: who,

what, where, when, why, and how.
nd

- It is usually told in a chronological manner – according

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to the sequence an event happened.

- Important: information essays do not give an opinion
nor persuade the audience to change their mind
- Forms of informative essay: define, compare and
contrast, present data, enumerate, or outline a process.
Definition Compare and Process
Contrast
Meaning Similarities Sequence of steps
Characteristics Differences
Context/Situation
Examples
Essay outline:
Paragraph 1 – Introduction: topic, claim/main idea
Paragraphs 2-4 – Body: evidences/supporting details
Paragraph 5 – Conclusion

MODULE 14: Using Research to Write an Informative

Essay
A good informative essay uses research.
Sources:
Print and online – books, journals, magazines,
newspaper