Academic Text

is a written language that provides information, which contains ideas and concepts that are related to the particular
discipline.
It is characterized by:
Clarity and precision
 Evidence-based arguments
 Discipline-specific language
 Logical organization
1. Research Paper: A detailed study presenting findings on a specific topic or question, often based on experiments or
analysis.
2. Conference Paper: A scholarly article presented at academic conferences, typically focused on recent research.
3. Feasibility Study: A report assessing the practicality or viability of a project or proposal.
4. Thesis/Dissertation: Comprehensive research works written by students to fulfill degree requirements.
5. Reviews: Critical evaluations of existing works, such as literature reviews or book reviews.
6. Essay: A written piece expressing ideas or arguments on a specific topic.
7. Academic Journals: Periodicals that publish scholarly articles in a specific discipline.
8. Reports: Formal documents summarizing research findings, case studies, or investigations.
Structure
Unlike fiction or journalistic writing, the overall structure of an academic text is formal and logical (Introduction, Body,
Conclusion). It must be cohesive and possess a logically organized flow of ideas; this means that various parts are
connected to form a unified whole.
Tone
The overall tone 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 the 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.
Characteristics of Academic Texts
 Objective
 Time-consuming
 Formal
 Integrity
Characteristics of Non-academic Texts
Non-objective
No specific audience
No specialization
Informal

Complexity
Written texts are shorter and have longer, more complex words and phrases.
Formality
AVOID colloquial words and expressions
Precision
facts and figures are given precisely
Objectivity
Emphasis on information and arguments. Use nouns and verbs, not rather than verbs and adverbs
Explicitness
make it clear to the reader how the various parts of the text are related. Connections can be made explicit by the use of
different signaling words.
Accuracy
Uses vocabulary accurately. Most subjects have words with narrow specific meanings.
Hedging
make decisions about your stance on a particular subject.

I. Title Page
provides information regarding the title, author, and type of work.
II. Abstract or Summary
- provides a brief account of the main content of an academic paper.
III. Table of Contents
- gives an opportunity to gain an idea of what the academic paper is about at an early stage.
IV. Introduction
- it is a soft-start and orientation to engage and acquaint with the academic text.
V. Background
- gives the necessary background information to understand the context of the academic text.
VI. Aim and Issue
- provides the terms of reference for academic paper.
VII. Theoretical Framework
- defines the key concepts, proposes relations between them, discusses relevant theories and models based on a literature
review.
VIII. Method
- provides the methodological details of the paper.
IX. Results, Analysis and Discussion
- involves the result of the study, its analysis and discussion.
X. Closure
- the end section of the academic paper. A summary or a concrete conclusion about the issue and questions can be used to
end the academic paper.
XI. List of References
- acknowledges the contribution of other writers and researchers in your work.
XII. Appendices
- contains supplementary materials that may be helpful in providing a more comprehensive understanding of the academic
paper.

Summarizing
- providing an abridged version of the narrative
- a summary is a synopsis or digest of the essence of an entire text
Paraphrasing
- restating text giving the meaning in another form
Outline
- is a design to follow when writing a structure, a discourse, or an article.
- can be a sentence outline or topic outline
Thesis statement
- clearly identifies the topic being discussed, includes the points discussed in the paper, and is written for a specific
audience
- thesis statement of a text: it controls all the major decisions of the writing
- Has a clear stand on a topic

Language Used in Academic Texts from Various Disciplines

• Most of the writing you do outside of university and the texts you read are likely to be very informal and
conversational.
• Academic subjects are generally more complex than everyday communication and the readers of academic texts
are often experts in their field who have certain expectations.
• Academic subjects are more complex than everyday communication because they deal with specialized knowledge,
abstract concepts, and in-depth analyses that require precise language and logical structure. Academic texts aim to
 convey detailed information, argue a point, or present research findings, making them more formal and intricate
than casual conversation.

FEATURES OF ACADEMIC WRITING

Complexity
 Written language is relatively more complex than spoken language.
 Written texts are lexically dense
 they have proportionately more lexical words than grammatical words.
 Written texts are shorter and have longer, more complex words and phrases.
 Written language is relatively more complex than spoken language because it is carefully crafted to ensure clarity,
precision, and organization. Unlike spoken language, which is often spontaneous and informal, written language is
designed with deliberate attention to structure and detail, making it more formal and sophisticated.
Formality
 AVOID colloquial words and expressions
 In formal or academic writing, it’s important to avoid colloquial words and expressions because they are informal
and may not convey the level of professionalism or clarity required in these contexts. Colloquial language is
typically used in everyday conversation and can be seen as too casual or imprecise in written communication,
especially when addressing an academic, professional, or general audience.
For example:
• Colloquial: "Kids are all about tech nowadays."
• Formal: "Children are increasingly engaged with technology in contemporary society."
Precision
 facts and figures are given precisely
 In formal writing, facts and figures are given precisely to ensure accuracy, credibility, and clarity. Providing exact
data helps support arguments, strengthens the message, and allows the reader to verify the information presented.
For example:
• Imprecise: "Many people use the internet regularly."
• Precise: "According to a 2024 survey, 92% of adults aged 18-34 use the internet daily."
Objectivity
 Written language is, in general, objective rather than personal
 Written language is, in general, objective rather than personal because it focuses on presenting facts,
information, or arguments in an unbiased and neutral manner. In academic, professional, or formal writing, the goal
is to convey ideas based on evidence and logic, rather than on the writer's personal opinions or emotions.
 In formal writing, there is an emphasis on information and arguments, and nouns and verbs are preferred over
adjectives and adverbs. This approach prioritizes clarity, precision, and directness in conveying ideas and
supporting arguments.
For example:
• Personal: "I think social media is damaging to society."
• Objective: "Research indicates that excessive use of social media can negatively impact mental health."
• Emphasis on information and arguments. Use nouns and verbs, not rather than verbs and adverbs
Example:
• Less Direct (With Adverbs and Adjectives): "The company is very successful in achieving its goals."
• More Direct (Using Nouns and Verbs): "The company achieves its goals successfully."
Explicitness
• make it clear to the reader how the various parts of the text are related. connections can be made explicit by the
use of different signaling words
Accuracy
• Uses vocabulary accurately. Most subjects have words with narrow specific meanings.
• In formal writing, it is crucial to use vocabulary accurately, especially since most subjects have words with
narrow, specific meanings. Using precise terms ensures clarity, enhances the accuracy of the information, and
avoids confusion.
Hedging
• make decisions about your stance on a particular subject.
• Making decisions about your stance on a particular subject involves carefully considering different perspectives,
analyzing relevant information, and forming a well-supported opinion or position. This process is critical in
academic, professional, and personal writing, as it helps clarify your argument and guide the direction of your work.
Responsibility
• be responsible for, and must be able to provide evidence and justification for, any claims you make.
 • When writing, it’s important to be responsible for the claims you make and provide evidence and justification to
support them. This ensures that your arguments are credible, logical, and persuasive, and that your audience can
trust the information you present.
Claim: "Exercise improves mental health. “
Evidence: "Studies show that regular physical activity can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. According to a
2020 study by the National Institute of Mental Health, individuals who exercised for at least 30 minutes three times a week
reported improved mood and decreased stress levels."
Organization
• Well-organized
Planning
• Well-planned
Expressing Opinions
Opinions are your own views of certain issues or concerns. There are words that you can use when expressing your
opinion.
A reaction paper, a review, a critique are specialized forms of writing in which a reviewer or reader evaluates any of the
following:
• a scholarly work (e.g., academic books and articles)
• a work of art (e.g., performance art, play, dance, sports, film, exhibits)
• designs (e.g., industrial designs, furniture, fashion design)
• graphic designs (e.g., posters, billboards, commercials, and digital media)
Formalism
- claims that literary works contain intrinsic properties and treats each work as a distinct work of art.
- posits that the key to understanding a text is through the text itself; the historical context, the author or any other
external contexts are not necessary in interpreting the meaning
Feminist Criticism or Feminism
- focuses on how literature presents women as subjects of socio-political, psychological, and economic oppression
- reveals how aspects of our culture are patriarchal, i.e., how our culture views men as superior and women as
inferior.
Reader-Response Criticism
- concerned with the reviewer’s reaction as an audience of a work
- claims that the reader’s role cannot be separated from the understanding of the work; a text does not have meaning
until the reader reads it and interprets it

Marxist Criticism
- concerned with differences between economic classes and implications of a capitalist system, such as the
continuing conflicts between working class and the elite.
- attempts to reveal that the ultimate source of people’s experience is the socio-economic system