In classrooms, particularly under the K-12 Senior High School curriculum, students often encounter the lesson on Text as Connected Discourse. To master this, we must navigate two interrelated concepts: the text and the discourse.
Understanding a text requires a deep dive into the discourse. By definition, discourse is the expression of ideas that a person thinks of. For instance, the sentence “Gusto ko ‘yong sapatos na ‘yon” (I want that pair of shoes) expresses a specific desire; this idea is the discourse. In the Philippine context, discourse is not just a silent thought; it often sparks a response or provokes an action, such as a negotiation with a vendor or a conversation with a friend.
When we speak of a text, we are referring to the sum of these discourses. By linking multiple discourses together, we create a larger unit of written language. However, a group of sentences is not automatically a text. According to M. Jorgensen and L. Phillips (2002), a legitimate text must possess seven distinct characteristics.
The Seven Characteristics of a Functional Text
To help students better understand these concepts, let’s break down each characteristic with examples relevant to the Filipino experience.
| Characteristic | Focus Level | Key Question/Definition |
| Cohesion | Sentence Level | How are the words and phrases physically connected? |
| Coherence | Paragraph Level | Do the ideas make sense together as a whole? |
| Intentionality | Author’s Goal | What is the writer’s purpose? |
| Informativity | Content Value | Is there new information being presented? |
| Acceptability | Reader’s Trust | Is the information factual and reliable? |
| Situationality | Context | Is the text appropriate for the specific culture/setting? |
| Intertextuality | Relationship | Does the text refer to or rely on other texts? |
1. Cohesion
Cohesion is focused on how ideas are connected within a specific phrase or sentence. The writer’s intended meaning must be distinguished by the precise use of words. For example, if a Filipino student wants to explain a cause-and-effect relationship regarding local weather, they might say, “The class was suspended because there was a heavy downpour in Manila.” The word “because” serves as the cohesive link.
2. Coherence
Coherence is concerned with how sentences and paragraphs link together to express a single, unified idea. This is achieved when the writer uses cohesive devices to signal whether they are continuing, opposing, or transitioning from a previous thought. In Filipino academic writing, using transitional markers like furthermore, moreover, secondly, or on the other hand ensures the reader can follow the logic of the argument without getting lost.
3. Intentionality
This characteristic asks: What is the purpose of the writer? Every text in the Philippines—whether it is a news article in The Philippine Star, a viral blog post, or a government memo—is written with an intent. This could be to inform, persuade, entertain, criticize, or simply express an opinion. When the purpose is clear to the reader, intentionality is achieved.
4. Informativity
Informativity dwells on the quantity of new information embedded in the text. A high-quality text provides a fresh perspective or new data rather than just duplicating common knowledge. For example, an essay about the “Barong Tagalog” should ideally discuss its historical evolution or modern innovations, rather than just stating it is the national costume, which is common knowledge to all Filipinos.
5. Acceptability
Is your writing acceptable? This refers to the veracity and truthfulness of the information. For a text to be “accepted,” especially within the Filipino academic community or by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), it must undergo rigorous vetting. Pieces of information must be factual and reliable to gain the trust of the target audience.
6. Situationality
Situationality refers to the socio-cultural appropriateness of the text. In a diverse country like the Philippines, a text must conform to the situation and avoid being offensive to any specific race, sex, or religion. For example, a textbook used in Mindanao should be sensitive to Islamic culture, just as a text intended for a formal business setting in Makati must use appropriate professional language.
7. Intertextuality
Intertextuality explains why a specific text exists in relation to others. It is the idea that a text is born because of a previous text or a significant event. You cannot understand the “reply” without the “statement.”
Consider these examples of intertextuality:
- Current Events: One could not write a detailed editorial about the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling if the ruling itself—and the local government context—did not exist.
- Literature: In classic poetry, The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd could not have been written without The Passionate Shepherd to His Love, as it serves as a direct response.
- Media: A movie adaptation of a Filipino novel, such as the film version of Lualhati Bautista’s Dekada ’70, is a perfect example of intertextuality, as the film’s existence and meaning are tethered to the original book.
By viewing text as connected discourse, we recognize that communication is a web of ideas, where every sentence relies on the standards of textuality to be truly effective.
