Ceriales, Mary Ann P.

1st year
SE101 BSE - English

Selection in Essay

Selection in essay writing is a fundamental process that involves the careful and
deliberate choice of the topic, ideas, and supporting evidence that align with the essay’s
central thesis. This process requires a thoughtful evaluation of the available information
to ensure that every element included serves a specific purpose, whether it is to clarify,
strengthen, or advance the argument. By making informed and purposeful selections,
writers can craft a well-organized, coherent, and persuasive essay that engages the
reader and effectively communicates the intended message.

Selection of the Purpose

The selection of purpose and audience is important because it helps guide the content
and tone of the writing. Knowing the purpose, whether to inform, persuade, or entertain,
ensures the writer to stay focused on the right message. The purpose of a piece of
writing defines the reason behind it by essentially answering the question "Why?" For
instance, why write a play? To provide entertainment for an audience. Why write
instructions for the babysitter? To inform them about your schedule and guidelines. Why
write a letter to your congressman? To persuade them to take action on your
community's concerns.

In academic settings, writing usually serves four primary purposes:

 to classify
 to analyze
 to synthesize
 to evaluate

- A classification simplifies large amounts of information into key points using

your own words, without quoting the original text. It is more than a summary
because it provides important details clearly.

- An analysis breaks down complex material into parts and looks at how they
relate. For example, analyzing table salt involves separating sodium and chloride
and studying how they form salt. In academic analysis, this process is applied to
breaking down a text and understanding how its parts connect.
 - Synthesis combines different ideas or documents to create something new. For
instance, a synthesizer blends different instrument sounds into a unique one. In
writing, it involves linking key points from multiple sources to form a new idea.

- An evaluation judges the value of something based on your opinion and

reasoning, influenced by what you’ve read and your knowledge. It requires
critical thinking and often uses classification, analysis, and synthesis.

Selection of Audience
Selecting your audience is crucial because it shapes how you approach your essay,
making sure it is both relevant and engaging. Understanding your audience allows you
to adjust the tone, language, and level of detail to match their knowledge and interests.
For instance, an academic audience may require more formal language and in-depth
analysis, while a general audience may need simpler explanations and more relatable
examples. By considering who will read your essay, you ensure that your message is
conveyed effectively, making it easier for them to understand and connect with your
ideas. Tailoring your writing in this way not only strengthens your argument but also
enhances the overall impact of your essay.

Selection of Content
Content refers to all the information included in a document. After determining your
audience and purpose, you must choose relevant and engaging information, such as
examples, statistics, facts, anecdotes, and observations. The content should be
appropriate and interesting for both the audience and the purpose. Content is also
shaped by tone. When the tone matches the content, it helps engage the audience and
strengthens the connection with the reader. The content and tone must work together to
ensure the message is effective and impactful for the intended audience and purpose.

Selection of Tone
Just like how speakers express emotions through their voice, writers use their words to
convey a range of attitudes and emotions, from excitement and humor to seriousness
and critique. These emotional tones help create a connection between the audience,
the writer, and the subject. To communicate this tone effectively, writers rely on tools
like sentence structure, word choice, punctuation, and language style. It is important
that the writer’s attitude aligns with both the audience and the purpose of the writing,
ensuring the message is received as intended.
 What is an Uneducated Filipino?
by: Francisco F. Benitez

What is an educated Filipino and what qualities should distinguish him today? The
conception of education and of what an educated man is varied in response to
fundamental changes in the details and aims of society. In our country and during this
transition stage in our national life, what are the qualities which an educated man should
possess? Great changes have taken place in the nature of our social life during the last
forty years. The contact with Americans and their civilization has modified many of our
own social customs, traditions, and practices, some for the worse and many for the
better. The means of communication have improved and therefore better understanding
exists among the different sections of our country. Religious freedom has developed
religious tolerance in our people. The growth of public schools and the establishment of
democratic institutions have developed our national consciousness both in strength and
in solidarity.
With this growth in national consciousness and national spirit among our people, we
witness the corresponding rise of a new conception of education - the training of the
individual for the duties and privileges of citizenship, not only for his own happiness and
efficiency but also for national service and welfare. In the old days, education was a
matter of private concern; now it is a public function, and the state not only has the duty
but it has the right as well to educate every member of the community - the old as well
as the young, women as well as men - not only for the good of the individual but also for
the self-preservation and protection of the State itself. Our modern public school system
has been established as a safeguard against the shortcomings and dangers of a
democratic government and democratic institutions.
In the light of social changes, we come again to the question: What qualities should
distinguish the educated Filipino of today? I venture to suggest that the educated
Filipino should first be distinguished by the power to do. The Oriental excels in reflective
thinking; he is a philosopher. The Occidental is the doer; he manages things, men and
affairs. The Filipino of today needs more of his power to translate reflection into action. I
believe that we are coming more and more to the conviction that no Filipino has the
right to be considered educated unless he is prepared and ready to take an active and
useful part in the work, life, and progress of our country as well as in the progress of the
world.
The power to do embraces the ability to produce enough to support oneself and to
contribute to the economic development of the Philippines. Undoubtedly, a man may be,
and often is, an efficient producer of economic goods and at the same time he may
not be educated. But should we consider a man who is utterly unable to support himself
and is an economic burden to the society in which he lives as educated merely because
he possesses the superficial graces of culture? I hope that no one will understand me
as saying that, the only sign of economic efficiency is the ability to produce material
goods, for useful social participation may take the form of any of any of the valuable
services rendered to society trough such institutions as the home, the school, the
church and the government. The mother, for example, who prepares wholesome meals.
takes good care of her children and trains them in morals and right conduct at home,
renders efficient service to the country as well as the statesman or the captain of
industry. I would not make the power to do the final and only test of the educated
Filipino; but I believe that in our present situation, it is fundamental and basic.
The educated Filipino, in the second place, should be distinguished not only by his
knowledge of the past and of current events in the world's progress but more especially
by his knowledge of his race, hi people, and his country, and his love of the truths and
ideals that our people have learned to cherish. Our character, our culture. and our
national history are the core of national life and consequently, of our education. I would
not have the educated Filipino ignore the culture and history of other lands, but can he
afford to be ignorant of the history and culture of his own country and yet call himself
educated?
The educated Filipino, in the third place, must have ingrained in his speech and conduct
those elements that are everywhere recognized as accompaniments of culture and
morality; so that, possessing the capacity for self-entertainment and study, he may not
be at the mercy of the pleasure of the senses only or a burden to himself when alone.
There are, then, at least three characteristics which I believe to be the evidence of the
educated Filipino - the power to do, to support himself and contribute to the wealth of
our people; acquaintance with the world's progress, especially with that of his race,
people, and the community, together with love of our best ideals and traditions; and
refined manners and moral conduct as well as the power of growth.

What is an educated
Filipino and what
qualities should
distinguish him today?
The conception of
education and of what an
educated man is varied
in response to
fundamental changes in
the details and aims of
society. In our country
and during this
transition stage in our
national life, what are the
qualities which an
educated man should
possess? Great changes
have taken place in the
nature of our social life
during the last
forty years. The contact
with Americans and their
civilization has modified
many of our
own social customs,
traditions, and practices,
some for the worse and
many for the
better. The means of
communication have
improved and therefore
better understanding
exists among the
different sections of our
country. Religious
freedom has developed
religious tolerance in our
people. The growth of
public schools and the
establishment of
democratic institutions
have developed our
national consciousness
both in strength and
in solidarity.
With this growth in
national consciousness
and national spirit among
our people,
we witness the
corresponding rise of a
new conception of
education – the training
of the
individual for the duties
and privileges of
citizenship, not only for
his own happiness and
efficiency but also for
national service and
welfare. In the old days,
education was a
matter of private
concern; now it is a
public function, and the
state not only has the
duty
but it has the right as
well to educate every
member of the
community – the old as
well
as the young, women as
well as men – not only for
the good of the individual
but also
for the self-preservation
and protection of the
State itself. Our modern
public school
system has been
established as a
safeguard against the
shortcomings and
dangers of a
democratic government
and democratic
institutions.
In the light of social
changes, we come again
to the question: What
qualities
should distinguish the
educated Filipino of
today? I venture to
suggest that the
educated
Filipino should first be
distinguished by the
power to do. The Oriental
excels in reflective
thinking; he is a
philosopher. The
Occidental is the doer; he
manages things, men
and
affairs. The Filipino of
today needs more of his
power to translate
reflection into action. I
believe that we are
coming more and more
to the conviction that no
Filipino has the
right to be considered
educated unless he is
prepared and ready to
take an active and
useful part in the work,
life, and progress of our
country as well as in the
progress of the
world.
The power to do
embraces the ability to
produce enough to
support oneself and
to contribute to the
economic development
of the Philippines.
Undoubtedly, a man may
be, and often is, an
efficient producer of
economic goods and at
the same time he may
What is an educated
Filipino and what
qualities should
distinguish him today?
The conception of
education and of what an
educated man is varied
in response to
fundamental changes in
the details and aims of
society. In our country
and during this
transition stage in our
national life, what are the
qualities which an
educated man should
possess? Great changes
have taken place in the
nature of our social life
during the last
forty years. The contact
with Americans and their
civilization has modified
many of our
own social customs,
traditions, and practices,
some for the worse and
many for the
better. The means of
communication have
improved and therefore
better understanding
exists among the
different sections of our
country. Religious
freedom has developed
religious tolerance in our
people. The growth of
public schools and the
establishment of
democratic institutions
have developed our
national consciousness
both in strength and
in solidarity.
With this growth in
national consciousness
and national spirit among
our people,
we witness the
corresponding rise of a
new conception of
education – the training
of the
individual for the duties
and privileges of
citizenship, not only for
his own happiness and
efficiency but also for
national service and
welfare. In the old days,
education was a
matter of private
concern; now it is a
public function, and the
state not only has the
duty
but it has the right as
well to educate every
member of the
community – the old as
well
as the young, women as
well as men – not only for
the good of the individual
but also
for the self-preservation
and protection of the
State itself. Our modern
public school
system has been
established as a
safeguard against the
shortcomings and
dangers of a
democratic government
and democratic
institutions.
In the light of social
changes, we come again
to the question: What
qualities
should distinguish the
educated Filipino of
today? I venture to
suggest that the
educated
Filipino should first be
distinguished by the
power to do. The Oriental
excels in reflective
thinking; he is a
philosopher. The
Occidental is the doer; he
manages things, men
and
affairs. The Filipino of
today needs more of his
power to translate
reflection into action. I
believe that we are
coming more and more
to the conviction that no
Filipino has the
right to be considered
educated unless he is
prepared and ready to
take an active and
useful part in the work,
life, and progress of our
country as well as in the
progress of the
world.
The power to do
embraces the ability to
produce enough to
support oneself and
to contribute to the
economic development
of the Philippines.
Undoubtedly, a man may
be, and often is, an
efficient producer of
economic goods and at
the same time he may
What is an educated
Filipino and what
qualities should
distinguish him today?
The conception of
education and of what an
educated man is varied
in response to
fundamental changes in
the details and aims of
society. In our country
and during this
transition stage in our
national life, what are the
qualities which an
educated man should
possess? Great changes
have taken place in the
nature of our social life
during the last
forty years. The contact
with Americans and their
civilization has modified
many of our
own social customs,
traditions, and practices,
some for the worse and
many for the
better. The means of
communication have
improved and therefore
better understanding
exists among the
different sections of our
country. Religious
freedom has developed
religious tolerance in our
people. The growth of
public schools and the
establishment of
democratic institutions
have developed our
national consciousness
both in strength and
in solidarity.
With this growth in
national consciousness
and national spirit among
our people,
we witness the
corresponding rise of a
new conception of
education – the training
of the
individual for the duties
and privileges of
citizenship, not only for
his own happiness and
efficiency but also for
national service and
welfare. In the old days,
education was a
matter of private
concern; now it is a
public function, and the
state not only has the
duty
but it has the right as
well to educate every
member of the
community – the old as
well
as the young, women as
well as men – not only for
the good of the individual
but also
for the self-preservation
and protection of the
State itself. Our modern
public school
system has been
established as a
safeguard against the
shortcomings and
dangers of a
democratic government
and democratic
institutions.
In the light of social
changes, we come again
to the question: What
qualities
should distinguish the
educated Filipino of
today? I venture to
suggest that the
educated
Filipino should first be
distinguished by the
power to do. The Oriental
excels in reflective
thinking; he is a
philosopher. The
Occidental is the doer; he
manages things, men
and
affairs. The Filipino of
today needs more of his
power to translate
reflection into action. I
believe that we are
coming more and more
to the conviction that no
Filipino has the
right to be considered
educated unless he is
prepared and ready to
take an active and
useful part in the work,
life, and progress of our
country as well as in the
progress of the
world.
The power to do
embraces the ability to
produce enough to
support oneself and
to contribute to the
economic development
of the Philippines.
Undoubtedly, a man may
be, and often is, an
efficient producer of
economic goods and at
the same time he may
Francisco Benitez's speech revolves around defining the qualities of an educated
Filipino in the context of the changing society.
 The Power to Do
An educated Filipino must be capable of translating knowledge into action. This means
being able to contribute meaningfully to society, whether through economic activity,
social service, or personal involvement in the country's progress. Simply having
knowledge is not enough, one must be able to actively participate in shaping their
community and nation.
 Knowledge of National History, Culture, and People
The educated Filipino should possess a deep understanding and appreciation of their
own culture, history, and national identity. While knowledge of global progress is
valuable, a true educated Filipino must first connect with their roots and have pride in
their heritage. Understanding one’s history and culture is essential for contributing to the
nation's development.
 Refined Character, Manners, and Moral Conduct
Education is not just about academic achievements, it is also about how a person
carries themselves. The educated Filipino should display good manners, moral integrity,
and self-discipline. They should be able to engage in self-reflection, exhibit refined
conduct, and avoid being at the mercy of superficial pleasures, demonstrating growth
both personally and socially.