WEEKS 1-2

ENGLISH 7
Quarter 4-Module 1

FEATURES OF ACADEMIC
WRITING GRADE

NAME: _______________________
GRADE & SECTION: ___________
 FEATURES OF ACADEMIC WRITING

What is academic writing?

Academic writing is a formal style of writing. Its general purpose is to

present information in order to display a clear understanding of a particular subject.

The following are some examples of documents where academic writing is used:
1. Books 5. Abstract
2. Research paper 6. Thesis
3. Journals 7. News Articles
4. Conference paper

Features of Academic Writing

1. Formality is using formal language rather than everyday common language.

It is achieved through:

1.1 Choosing expanded forms over contracted forms.

Poor examples Improved

can‟t cannot
doesn‟t does not
won‟t will not
I‟ve I have

Sentence:
The policy does not permit illegal dealings.

1.2 Choosing one verb form over two-word verbs.

Poor examples Improved

mess up damage
brought up raised
give back return

Sentence:
The business sectors raised the questions of excluding tax
payment from the dialogue.

1.3 Avoiding colloquial/trite/idiomatic expressions

Examples of colloquial/trite/idiomatic expressions

1
 “stuff” “thing”
“a lot of” “you know what I mean”
“sort of” “kind of like”

“It’s raining cats and dogs.”

Sentence:
With women, there is a great deal of (instead of a lot of)
pressure to conform to a certain physical shape.

1.4 Choosing expanded terms over their abbreviated equivalents.

Poor examples Improved

ASAP as soon as possible
romcom romantic comedy

Sentence:
The government wants it done as soon as possible.

2. Objectivity means that the writing must be impersonal. The main emphasis
should be on the presented information and/or arguments rather
than what you think about the issue.

It is achieved through:

2.1 Avoiding the use of personal pronouns such as you, I and we.

Poor example Improved

1. We need to conduct the
experiment.
2. You can easily forget how
different life was 50 years
ago.
The researchers need to conduct
the experiment.
It is easy to forget how different life
was 50 years ago.

2.2 Avoiding rhetorical questions.

Poor example Improved

1. How can these problems be Certain measures must be
solved? discovered to solve problems.

2.3 Avoiding “emotive language” that shows biases.

2
 Poor example Improved
1. The investigators were very The investigators did not expect
shocked to see the outcome of the result.
the tests.

3. Explicitness is the responsibility of the writer in English to make it clear to the

reader how the various parts of the text are related.

It is achieved through:

3.1 Using different signaling words

Comparison/similar ideas
 Similarly, in the same way
Contrast/opposite ideas
 But, however, on the contrary
Cause and effect
 Consequently, as a result, because
Sentence:
One should notify any change of address to the Bonds and Stocks
Office. Similarly, savings certificates should be re-registered with the
Post Office.

3.2 Citing/acknowledging sources of ideas

Example:

Suicide is a serious public health issue (Mann et al, 2005).

4. Caution is an important feature of academic writing which is the concept of

cautious language, often called “hedging” or “vague language”.
Caution is needed to avoid sweeping generalizations.

It is achieved through:

4.1 Using devices such as modal verbs, adverbs, or verbs

Examples:
Modal verbs would, may, can, might, should
Adverbs of frequency often, sometimes, usually
Verbs tend, suggest, think, believe, doubt
Other devices:

Modal adverbs e.g. certainly, definitely, clearly, probably,

3
 possibly, perhaps
Modal e.g. certain, definite, clear, probable, possible
adjectives
Modal nouns e.g. assumption, possibility, probability
That clauses e.g. It could be the case that…
e.g. It might be suggested that…
e.g. There is every hope that…
To-clause + e.g. It may be possible to obtain…
adjective
e.g. It is important to develop…
e.g. It is useful to study…

Sentence NOT observing Sentence observing caution

caution
1. The commitment to some of
the social and economic
concepts was less strong than
it is now.
2. Nowadays the urinary
symptoms are of a lesser order.
It may be said that the commitment to
some of the social and economic
concepts was less strong than it is now.
Nowadays the urinary symptoms seem
to be of a lesser order.

Activity 3: EXPANDED OVER CONTRACTED

Directions: Expand the underlined contracted words. Write your answer after the
sentence.

1. We hadn’t played their team before.

ANSWER: We had not played their team before.

2. They weren’t afraid to play our team. ______________

3. The crowd mustn’t forget to applaud both teams. ______________

4. Winning isn’t everything. ______________
5. We aren’t giving up. ______________

6. Our class couldn’t decide on a mascot. ______________

7. Mr. Reyes doesn’t like snakes. ______________
8. We didn’t want to have a dog. ______________

9. Our school colors aren’t black and gold. ______________

4
 10. Our class didn’t have any good ideas. ______________

Activity 4: WATCH OUT!

Instructions: Put a check () if the sentence observes the features of academic
writing or put an ( ×) if it does not.
_____1. You should cite the sources you use properly.
_____2. You should avoid using different signaling words.
_____3. You should avoid emotive language that shows biases.
_____4. You should place the main emphasis on the information.
_____5. You should make use of idiomatic expressions more often.
_____6. You should use slang words (e.g. wanna, gonna, fab).
_____7. You should not demonstrate your understanding of the source material.
_____8. You should justify your position and provide evidence for the claims you
make.
_____9. You should use one word verbs (e.g. educate) rather than phrasal verbs
(e.g.bring up).
_____10. Simpler words are preferable than complex words (e.g. make is better than
produce or manufacture).

5
 Quarter 4 – Module 2

Reaching Out Through Interpersonal

Communication

A. Write TRUE if the situation is interpersonal communication, and FALSE if it

is not. WRITE YOUR ANSWER BEFORE THE NUMBER.
1. browsing on facebook

6
 2. conducting a meeting
3. playing a musical instrument
4. DOH conducting a symposium
5. one-on-one interview of OFWs
6. interviewing a person via zoom
7. introducing a friend to someone
8. writing a biography of a frontliner
9. news anchor broadcasting news updates
10. counselling a person who just got married

B. Write which strategy/ies (dialog, conversation, interview) best apply to each

picture.

1. calling a friend through cell phone

for chit-chat

2. consulting a problem
to parents

3. settling a problem in the guidance

office

4. consulting a sick person to a

physician

7
 Interpersonal Communication
Strategies (Dialog,
Conversation, Interview)
Conversation
Situation 1 is an example of interpersonal communication using conversation.
It shows a friendly talk between the customer and the saleslady of a certain product.
Conversation is the most common form of dyadic communication. It may be
defined as a friendly and usual informal talk between two people who exchange their
views and ideas (Padilla, Bicomong, Dato-on, Rosario, and Sabornido 2003). It is a
face-to-face interaction between individuals. It is informal in nature, with no agenda
or set specific purpose and commonly done for therapeutic purposes (Sayuno 2019).
More examples:
 friends talking about various topics
 siblings recalling fond memories
 passengers talking in bus stations and waiting sheds
 children playing in the playground
 family buying at the shopping malls
To have a better conversation, let us be guided with this.

Guidelines in Engaging an Effective Conversation

1. Do not interrupt while the person is speaking.

2. Do not do all the talking.
3. Be a good listener.
4. Do not exaggerate.
5. Do not misquote.
6. Be polite.
Dialog
Situation 2 is an example of interpersonal communication using dialog
because the talk between two students about enrolment is more purposive and
serious.

A dialog is the most personal and most intimate form of dyadic communication
(Padilla, Bicomong, Dato-on, Rosario, and Sabornido 2003). In some ways similar to
a conversation but is more intimate and purposive. It could be a written or spoken
exchange of ideas between two or more people (Sayuno 2019).

More examples:
 a student and his/her parent talking about school matter
 a husband and a wife talking about family finances
 chatting on the phone with a classmate about a project
 arguing with a friend on the merits of a movie
 comforting a friend who has just lost his mother

To engage in dialog, observe these guidelines

Guidelines in Engaging an Effective Dialog

8
 1. Share your perspectives or ideas.
2. Listen to the perspectives or ideas of others.
3. Respect differences and understand them.
4. Show interest.

Interview
Situation 3 is an example of interpersonal communication using Interview
because there is an applicant who plays as the interviewee and the panelist as the
interviewer for a job position.

An interview is a form of dyadic communication that is considered a two-way

process where both parties alternately talk and listen. It is a conversation with a
purpose which aims to help the interviewee to understand and put into a larger
context the interpersonal, social and cultural aspects of the environment (Padilla,
Bicomong, Dato-on, Rosario, and Sabornido 2003). Moreover, an interview is a
formal and purposive consultation. In this communication situation, the interviewer’s
objective is to obtain specific pieces of information from the interviewee (Sayuno
2019).

More examples:
 employment screening
 creating stories
 counselling
 receiving complaints
 writing articles

In order to achieve an effective interview, let us follow these guidelines.

Guidelines in Conducting an Effective Interview

1. Plan and prepare.

2. Explain the purpose of the interview.
3. Ask them if they have any questions before you both get started with the
interview.
4. Ask one question at a time.
5. Encourage responses.
6. Take down notes.
7. Provide transition between major topics.
8. Don't lose control of the interview.
9. Don’t forget to say “Thank you”.

9
 This is good to know . . .

Interpersonal communication, commonly called dyadic

communication, is communication that involves two persons or two groups of
people who share the roles of sender and receiver. It is interacting with one other
person or in a small and informal aggregate of people (Padilla, Bicomong, Dato-
on, Rosario, and Sabornido 2003). Interpersonal communication is person-to-
person communication with messages that are focused on individual interests or
needs (Sayuno 2019).

Tips to Improve Interpersonal Communication Skills

1. Be familiar of yourself. Self-awareness is the practice of consciously

being aware of what you are thinking and feeling and why you are doing so. Being
aware of your own emotions can significantly benefit your interpersonal
communication skills.

2. Be conscious, respectful and empathetic toward others. When you

engage positive interpersonal skills, you allow others to express themselves
without automatically jumping on them- meaning that you are genuinely listening
to what they have to say.

3. Actively listen to others. Listening is a skill that must be developed

and honed. By listening to understand rather than listening to respond, you
demonstrate that what the person you are speaking with has to say is important to
you.

4. Avoid talking over others or speaking for them. It allows the person
to have time to finish their thoughts and do not presume to know what they want
to say. Give them the respect they deserve by giving them the time to say it for
themselves.

5. Elaborate more by saying “yes” before saying “no”. It is about

10
Activity 2: Match „n Pick Me!

A. Match the picture from column A to its appropriate situation in column B. Write
the letter of your answer before the number.

Column A Column B

_____1.

A. dialog

Host talking to a guest about

business matters

_____2.

B. conversation

Woman asking for the next bus

stop

_____3.

C. interview

Couple discussing future plans

11
Let us see how you will make responses if you are in the situation below.

B. Complete the conversation by filling in the blank with the appropriate line from the
box. Consider the words in the parentheses as your guide.

 I hope you’ll enjoy your stay there.

 Definitely! Because I’m from Sapang
Dalaga.
 Oh! Are you a tourist?
 There are nine stops in all.
 Our next stop is in Jimenez.
Lia: Hello! I’m Lia and I’m new to this place.
Kia: (1) ______________________________________________________ (inquiry)
Lia: Yes! In fact, I am going to Caluya Shrine in Sapang Dalaga. Do you know the
place?
Kia: (2) _________________________________________________ (confirmation).
Lia: What a relief! Please tell me how many stops the bus will take before reaching
the place.
Kia: (3) _____________________________________________________ (figures).
Lia: Really? What is our next stop then?
Kia: (4) ______________________________________________________ (place).
Lia: I see. I am already excited to see the place.
Kia: (5) _____________________________________________________ (hopeful).

Activity 3: Fit „n Right

Instructions: Classify the given situations as dialog, conversation, or interview.
________________A teacher talking to a student about the exams
________________A foreigner asking the locals for directions
________________TV host interviewing Catriona Gray about past experience in
pageantry
________________A lawyer interrogating a witness
________________A driver asking the passenger for his destination
________________A patient requesting the doctor his laboratory results
________________Netizens talking about the president for his achievements
________________Son answering mother’s questions of going late
________________A program host gathering data from the guest speaker

12