ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES

LESSON 1: LANGUAGE IN ACADEMIC TEXTS

In this lesson, you will have to differentiate the language used in

academic text from various disciplines. Specifically, this module will help you
to:
• define what an academic language is;
• identify the characteristics of an academic language; and
• use academic language in academic writing.

NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ACADEMIC TEXT

An academic text is a reading material that provides information that
includes concepts and theories that are related to the specific discipline.
The following are considered academic texts:
• Research Paper,
• Conference Paper,
• Feasibility Study,
• Thesis/Dissertation,
• Reviews,
• Essay,
• Academic Journals,

The following are the characteristics found in an Academic Text:

1. 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.
Introduction- Its purpose is to tell the reader the topic, purpose, and
structure of the paper.
Body- The heart of the essay. It expounds the specific ideas to have a
better understanding of the topic.
Conclusion- It summarizes the main scope of the paper and confirms the
topic that was given in the Introduction.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Complexity - An academic text addresses complex issues that require
higher-order thinking skills to comprehend.
6. 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.
7. 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 LANGUAGE
Academic Language refers to the oral, written, auditory, and visual
language proficiency required to learn effectively in schools and academic
programs. It is also the language used in classroom lessons, books, tests, and
assignments. It is the language that students are expected to learn and
achieve fluency in.

Why is academic language so important?

- Students who master academic language are more likely to be successful in
academic and professional settings

DISTINCTIVE ATTRIBUTES OF ACADEMIC LANGUAGE

A. Formality – Generally, academic writing is formal where the following
should be avoided:
 • Colloquial words and expressions and idiomatic expressions
• Abbreviated words such as can’t, doesn’t, shouldn’t, and others
• Two-word verbs such as put off, bring up
• Expanded terms over their abbreviated equivalents such as “as soon
as possible” instead of ASAP
B. Precision – In academic writing, facts, figures, graphs, illustrations are given
precisely. The exactness and accuracy of the data presented are visible. The
writer is advised not to use “several workers” when he/she can use “10 million
workers”.
C. Explicitness – The writer makes sure that the various parts of the text are
related to one another, free from obscurity, and easy to understand.
D. Accuracy – Academic writing uses vocabulary and statistics accurately that
conform to the correct value or standard. A writer chooses the appropriate
word; let us say “meeting, assembly, gathering, and conference”.
E. Hedging – The writer makes decisions about his/her stance on a particular
subject. The strength of the claims must be considered. He or she also use
cautious language.

INTRODUCTORY VERB CERTAIN LEXICAL VERB CERTAIN MODAL

VERBS
seem, be sure , doubt believe will, must
tend, indicate , believe assume would, may
look like suggest might, could
appear to be
think

ADVERBS OF FREQUENCY MODAL NOUNS THAT CLAUSES

Often assumption It could be that
sometimes possibility case that
usually probability It might be
suggested that
There is every
hope that
MODAL ADVERBS MODAL ADJECTIVES PHRASES
Certainly certain on the whole
Definitely definite more or less
Clearly clear probable
Probably possible
Possibly
perhaps
conceivably
F. Responsibility – The writer must be responsible for demonstrating an
understanding of any source text used. All pieces of evidence and justifications
are provided to support the claims. Moreover, the writer has to paraphrase
and summarize the read academic text and acknowledge the source of ideas
and information through proper citations.
G. Organization – Academic writing is well-organized where the ideas are
presented logically.

What are the differences between academic language and social

language?
Social language is the simple, informal language we use when talking
face to face with family members and friends. It allows us to use contemporary
or slang terms like “cool,” “awesome,” or “dude.” We can also communicate
feelings, needs, and wants using symbolic hand gestures for drinking, eating,
hot, cold, hurt, or tired. Social language also includes writing emails, friendly
letters, and texts or retelling stories.
Academic language is different from everyday social language. It is the
vocabulary students or adults must learn to succeed in the classroom or the
workplace. We use academic language to describe and comprehend
complex ideas, process higher-order thinking, and understand abstract
concepts. Academic language is what students read in textbooks and on
tests and what they hear during instruction in the classroom. Students with
limited or low academic language skills are more than likely to have low
academic performance in classroom settings.

Characteristics of Academic Language

FORMAL - It should not be conversational and casual. Avoid colloquial and
idiomatic expressions, slang, and contractions.
IMPERSONAL - Do not refer to yourself as the performer of actions. Do not use
personal pronouns. For example: Use “It is commonly said that…” instead of
“Many of my friends and colleagues say that…” “Research revealed that…”
instead of “I discovered that”
PRECISE - The facts are presented accurately. The choice of words is
appropriate. The use of technical terms to achieve precision is applied. For
example: “85% of the population”, “The results are okay (satisfactory).
OBJECTIVE - It is unbiased, based on facts and is not influenced by personal
feelings. For example: “The essay on… is distressing.” instead of “I do not like
the essay”
REFERENCES
Online Resources
Academic Writing vs. Non-Academic Writing. Retrieved
from www.diffrencebetween-com.cdn.ampproject.org
Sample academic texts. Retrieved from https://portal.uea.ac.uk.
Academic Writing vs. Non-Academic Writing. Retrieved
from www.diffrencebetween-com.cdn.ampproject.org.