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Lesson 1

Lesson 1

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jhndmtvd
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Lesson Academic Language used from

1 Various Disciplines
Nature and Characteristics of an Academic Text
An academic text is a written language that provides information, which contain ideas and concepts
that are related to the particular discipline. Essay, Research Paper, Report, Project, Article, Thesis,
and Dissertation are considered as academic texts.

Structure
The basic structure that is used by an academic text is consist of three (3) parts introduction,
body, and conclusion which is formal and logical. This kind of structure enables the reader to follow
the argument and navigate the text. In academic writing a clear structure and a logical flow are
imperative to a cohesive text.
Tone
This refers to the attitude conveyed in a piece of writing. The arguments of others are fairly
presented and with an appropriate narrative tone. When presenting a position or argument that
disagrees with one’s perspectives, describe the argument accurately without loaded or biased
language.

Language

It is important to use unambiguous language. Clear topic sentences enable a reader to follow
your line of thinking without difficulty. Formal language and the third person point-of-view should
be used. Technical language appropriate to area of study may also be used, however, it does not
mean using “big words” just for the sake of doing so.

Citation

Citing sources in the body of the paper and providing a list of references as either footnotes or
endnotes is a very important aspect of an academic text. It is essential to always acknowledge the
source of any ideas, research findings, data, or quoted text that have been used in a paper as a
defense against allegations of plagiarism.

Complexity

An academic text addresses complex issues that require higher-order thinking skills to
comprehend.
Evidence-based Arguments

What is valued in an academic text is that opinions are based on a sound understanding of the
pertinent body of knowledge and academic debates that exist within, and often external to a
specific discipline.
Thesis-driven

The starting point of an academic text is a particular perspective, idea or position applied to the
chosen research problem, such as establishing, proving, or disproving solutions to the questions
posed for the topic.

Academic Text Structure and Composition(Summurized)

• Academic texts are written language containing ideas and concepts related to a specific
discipline.
• Structure includes an introduction, body, and conclusion, which are formal and logical.
• The tone of the text is crucial, with fair and appropriate narratives.
• Language is essential, with clear topic sentences and formal language.
• Citation is crucial, with sources cited in the body of the paper and a list of references provided.
• Academic texts address complex issues requiring higher-order thinking skills.
• Arguments are evidence-based, based on a sound understanding of relevant knowledge and
academic debates.
• Thesis-driven, starting with a particular perspective applied to the chosen research problem.

Features of Academic Texts:


1. Complex
- Written language has no longer words, it is lexically more varied vocabulary.
- Written texts are shorter and the language has more grammatical complexity, including more
subordinate clauses and more passives.
2. Formal
- Should avoid colloquial words and expressions.
3. Precise
- Facts are given accurately and precisely.
4. Objective
- has fewer words that emphasize on the information you want to give and the arguments you
want to make
- mostly use nouns (adjectives), rather than verbs (adverbs)
5. Explicit
- It is the responsibility of the writer in English to make it clear to the reader how the various
parts of the text are related.
6. Accurate
- Uses vocabulary accurately
- Most subjects have words with narrow specific meanings.
7. Hedging
- It is necessary to make decisions about your stance on a particular subject, or the strength of
the claims you are making.
8. Responsible
- You must be responsible for and must be able to provide evidence and justification for any
claims you make.
9. Organize
- Well-organized.
- It flows easily from one section to the next in a logical fashion.
10. Plan
- Well-planned.
- It usually takes place after research and evaluation, according to specific purpose and plan.

Purposes in Reading an Academic Text


1. To locate a main idea;
2. To scan for information;
3. To identify gaps in existing studies;
4. To connect new ideas to existing ones;
5. To gain more pieces of information;
6. To support a particular writing assignment; and,
7. To deeply understand an existing idea.

Factors to Consider in Writing Academic Text


1. State critical questions and issues;
2. Provide facts and evidence from credible sources;
3. Use precise and accurate words while avoiding jargon;
4. Take an objective point of view;
5. List references; and,
6. Use cautious language.

Academic Language
Academic language is the language needed by students to do the work in schools. It
includes, for example, discipline-specific vocabulary, grammar and punctuation, and
applications of rhetorical conventions and devices that are typical for a content area (e.g.,
essays, lab reports, discussions of a controversial issue.) Students who master academic
language are more likely to be successful in academic and professional settings.
Social language is the set of vocabulary that allows us to communicate with others in
the context of regular daily conversations.

Here are some of the differences between


social and academic language includes:

Social Language Academic Language


In everyday interactions in In textbooks, research papers, conferences
spoken/written form in spoken/written form
For everyday conversation Used in school/work conversations
Used to write to friends, family, or for Appropriate for written papers, classwork,
other social purposes homework
Informal, such as words like ''cool,'' ''guy,'' Very formal and more sophisticated in its
''kidding'') expressions, such as words like
''appropriate,'' ''studies,''
''implementation''
Can use slang expressions Don't use slang
Can be repetitive Uses a variety of terms
Can use phrases Uses sentences
Sentences don't follow grammar Sentences begin with appropriate
conventions necessarily, with phrases like, transitions, like, ''moreover'' or ''in
''you're hungry?'' addition'')

Characteristics of Academic Language


A. Formal
- It should not sound conversational or casual. Colloquial, idiomatic, slang or journalistic
expressions should particularly be avoided.
Examples:
Use… Instead…
Consider, monitor Look at
Revise, review Go over
Solve, repair, amend Fix
B. Objective

- This means it is unbiased. It should be based on facts and evidence and are not influenced by
personal feelings.
C. Impersonal

- This involves avoiding the personal pronouns ‘I’ and ‘we’. For example, instead of writing ‘I
will show’, you might write ‘this report will show’. The second person, ‘you’ , is also to be
avoided.

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