EFAP Reviewer

I. Appropriate Reading Strategies for a Better 6. Reading improves your self-discipline and
Understanding of Academic Texts consistency
• “An interactive process in which the reader’s 7. Reading increases your knowledge of history
prior knowledge of the word interacts with the 8. Reading increases cultural knowledge
message conveyed directly or indirectly by the 9. Reading increases your skill in an area of
text” – Smith interest
• Being able to recognize, interpret written 10. Reading inspires you
symbols and understand the printed material 11. Reading reduces stress
• Process: Before, During, And After
Reading Strategies
• Learning to read does not happen all at once,
• Broad term used to describe the planned and
but happens gradually through continuous
explicit actions help readers translate print to
experiences with printed material and reading
meaning
related activities
• Improves decoding and reading
• Major goal of reading: To take meaning from
comprehension skills benefit every student,
the text (comprehension).
but are essential for beginning readers and
• Reading fluency is the ability to decode
struggling readers
individual words accurately and automatically
• Effective readers use strategies to understand
• Purpose: To connect the ideas on the page to
what they read before, during, and after
what you already know
reading
• If you don’t know anything about the subject,
then pouring words of text into your mind is Before Reading
like pouring water into your hand 1. Use prior knowledge to think about the topic
2. Make predictions about the probable meaning
Why do we read
of the text
1. Reading is good for your brain
3. Preview the text by skimming and scanning to
2. Reading introduces you to new ideas and
get a sense of the overall meaning
invites you to solve problems
3. Reading makes you a better writer During Reading
4. Reading improves your conversational skills 1. Monitor understanding by questioning,
5. Reading strengthens world view and thinking about, and reflecting on the ideas and
convictions information of the text.
EFAP Reviewer

After Reading information that you want to give and the

1. Reflect upon the ideas and information in the
text
2. Relate what they have read to their own
experiences and knowledge
3. Clarify their understanding of the text
4. Extend their understanding in critical and
creative ways
Academic Text
• Critical, Objective, Specialized Text written by
experts or professionals in a given field using
formal language
• Based on facts with solid basis
• Emotions of the authors cannot be felt from
texts or materials
• Often takes years to publish because of
intense writing and review
arguments you want to make, rather than you.
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 decision
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. – You
are also responsible for demonstrating an
understanding of any source texts you use.

Main Types of Academic Text

Characteristics
1. Textbook – Specifically designed to help the
1. Complex – Written language has longer
learner – Might have summarizes or review
words, it is lexically denser and it has a more
quizzes
valid vocabulary. - Written texts are shorter
2. Essays – Student essays vary in length and
and the language has more grammatical
formality – Usually contains three sections:
complexity, including more subordinate
Introduction, Body, Conclusion
clauses and more passives.
2. Formal – Should avoid colloquial words and
expressions.
3. Precise – Facts are given accurately and
precisely.
4. Objective – Objective rather than personal. –
Has fewer words that refer to the writer or the
reader. – Main emphasis should be on the
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3. Theses – Have to write longer texts at post 6. Reports – Its purpose is to describe what

graduate level – Longer texts include happened and discuss and evaluate its
dissertations (10k-20k words) – Master’s importance – Found in different disciplines,
level, a thesis has 60k-80k words – The such as science, law, and medicine – These
structure and style vary across disciplines but includes the following: Context/Overview,
is likely to include the following: Introduction, Introduction, Methodology/Description of the
Background, Literature Review, Research event, Findings/Main points,
Design/Methodology, Results/Findings, Discussion/Evaluation, Conclusion
Discussion/Interpretation,
Recommendations, Conclusion
4. Research Articles – Written mainly for
specialist audience: Researchers, Academics,
and Postgraduate Students – Usually contains
the following: Introduction, Literature Review,
Background and Method, Main Findings,
Discussion (including author’s interpretation
of the results), Recommendations,
Conclusion, Bibliography, Appendix
5. Case Studies – May be found in any discipline,
though they are most common in disciplines
such as business, sociology, and law –
Primarily Descriptive – Typical Structure:
Context, Description of the setting, How does
the account change over the period of time
under investigation, Headings help the
audience work through the text
EFAP Reviewer
A. DIFFERENCES OF LANGUAGE USED IN ACADEMIC
TEXTS FROM VARIOUS DISCIPLINES
ACADEMIC LANGUAGE
- -has a unique set of rules: it should be explicit,
formal and factual as well as objective and
analytical in nature
- Academic writing should be clear and concise in
order to communicate its content in the best way
FEATURES
1. FORMAL
- Requires considerable efforts to construct
meaningful sentences, paragraphs,
arguments that make the text easy comprehend
- Conversational English should be avoided and
facts and figures should be presented in a clear
manner
- Academic texts should be factual, concise, and
accurate
- Choose words precisely and accurately so that the
reader can accurately understand the concepts
within the text
- It is important to remember that academic texts
are written with an academic audience in mind and
your writing style needs to conform to the
conventions of the field you are studying
- In order to achieve the appropriate level of
formality, you should read literature within your
field (to learn and use subject specific terms)
- Correct use of terminology and language facilitates
your communication and heightens the credibility
of your work
- Correct use of terminology and language facilitates
your communication and heightens the credibility
of your work
o CONTRACTIONS
 used in formal settings and are
therefore not appropriate for
academic texts. Instead of using
a contraction you should write
out the words in their entirety
 It is important to use acronyms
and abbreviations properly in
academic writing so that your
text is a clear as possible for the
reader
o ABBREVIATIONS
 Only use abbreviations when it
makes the reading of your text
easier
 Abbreviated terms should appear
at least three times in paper
 Words that are commonly
abbreviated such as "professor"
(prof.) And "department" (dept.)
Should be spelled out in
academic texts. (however that
some abbreviations may be used
in citations and reference lists)
o ACRONYM
and
 Type of abbreviation that is
formed by the first letter of each
word in a phrase or organization.
 UN (United Nations) and WHO
(World Health Organization) are
two examples of well - known
acronyms, when you introduce
the acronym, you should always
write out the whole name or
phrases followed by the acronym
in parentheses. Once you have
introduced it, you may use the
acronym in the rest of your text.
Latin abbreviation should not be
used in the text itself but may be
used in parentheses or in notes
and illustrations.
2. ANALYTICAL
- The complexity of the subject matter is
acknowledged through critical analysis
- -can be done through asking questions and
examining and evaluating evidence
- -through critical analysis we are able to add a new
perspective to a subject instead of just rewriting
what has already been written
- - treating your topic and your material in an
analytical manner should seep through in your
language
- -part of being analytical in your writing is to
compare and contrast, evaluate and consider both
sides of an issue
- -means that you explain, gives reasons, draw
conclusions, make suggestions and
recommendations and support this with evidence
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PROCEDURE 3. OBJECTIVE
STEP 1. DEFINE A RESEARCH QUESTION - Based on research and not on the writer's own
opinion about a given topic
- This will be the main topic that your paper will set
- When you are objectively you are concerned about
out to prove
facts and not influence by personal feelings and
- Your paper will answer the research question
biases
- The answer to this research question will be the
- When presenting an argument to the reader, try to
thesis statement
show both sides if you can and avoid making value
- It will be easier to do your analysis when you have
judgments
an idea of the question that you are trying to
- At the same time, you will probably have to do an
answer (it can help you focus)
analysis or a discussion and in that manner
STEP 2. NARROW THE MATERIAL INTO MORE express an attitude
MANAGEABLE SECTIONS - In order to convey attitude without using, for
- Helps you analyze each part individually example "I think”, you may use words such as
- For example: if you are analyzing how an author's apparently, arguably, ideally, strangely, and
work has changed over years, you would break unexpectedly.
analysis down the individual pieces of work - Note that the attitude you are expressing should
not be based on personal preferences but rather
STEP 3. READ THROUGH THE DIFFERENT PIECES OF
on the evidence that you are presenting
WORK
o PERSONAL PRONOUNS
- You will not be able to analyze the work without  In general, academic texts are
reading it thoroughly impersonal in nature
STEP 4. DETERMINE WHICH ASPECTS THAT YOU WANT  The main emphasis should be on
TO ANALYZE evidence and arguments and not
- Analyze how the author's tone has changed bases on personal opinion and
- How the author has used more imagery as their feelings
work progresses  The use of personal pronouns
such as "i”, "we" and "you" should
STEP 5. DRAW SOME CONCLUSIONS FROM YOUR be avoided as much as possible
RESEARCH TO HELP YOU DECIDE ON HOW YOU WILL BE  Some types of academic writing
ABLE TO PRESENT THE INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE encourage the use of personal
FOUND pronouns
- When conducting an analysis, you will be need to • Example: In reflective
determine what you are looking for and then start writing the use of the
to find the connections in the literature that personal is accepted
support your research question  You should be aware that the use
- A rather complex way of looking at literature but it of personal pronouns may be
can be a very helpful way to really understand different between academic fields
- If you are focusing on an author, it will help you and that some disciplines do not
analyze how the author writes accept it at all
- If the analysis is on a specific piece of work, it will  Make sure to check what is
help you determine what aspects of that work that recommended, either by asking
make it important your instructor or by reading
other academic texts within your
subject
EFAP Reviewer
VARIOUS DISCIPLINES
- BUSINESS
o Accounting, economics, finance,
management, and marketing
o Writing in business often means
explaining a situation, event, or change in
order to compel the reader toward a very
specific action
o Format is key to a well - written business
document, since its structure should
allow the reader to quickly find particular
sections and a contact person who can
answer further questions
o Writing in business can include memos,
cover letters, resumes, project reports,
proposals, thank you letters, emails, and
business plans
o Adherence to conventional grammar,
spelling, and punctuations is important in
every discipline, this one laces the most
emphasis on mechanics
Business text: business has a special
vocabulary (jargon), so first of all you
have to learn its jargon, like remit,
obligate, loan, collateral, interest, stocks,
etc. Some compound nouns are standard
expressions in business, like tax
collection system, company car, price list,
and bulk buying. You must learn some of
the conventions, or established practices
of business writing
Example: business uses a lot of form
letters, so you have to be familiar with the
standard forms (meaning the parts) of a
business letter, a memo, minutes of
meeting, a proposal, etc. Some standard
parts of business communication are
dates, inside address, the salutation, the
body or main purpose of the
communication, the complimentary close,
etc. Common text structures in business
communication are problem-solution in
which the cause(s) of a problem situation
is/are explained, followed by the
company's proposed solution, and
description in which the specifications of
a product or offer are given.
- HUMANITIES
o Art (performing arts, fine arts), history,
languages, literature, music, philosophy,
religion, theatre, ethics, aspects of
anthropology and cultural studies, and
linguistics
o Writing in the humanities usually seeks to
analyze, interpret, argue, and/or explain
and express thoughts, reactions, ideas,
and emotions - explores questions that
deal with human values
o Ultimate goal in writing in the humanities
is to explain or understand the human
experience - to use writing as a tool to
reflect upon life
o Literature and the Arts Text: Literature and
arts have their content - specific terms or
jargon (examples: gothic mood, symbol,
balance, mosaic, hue, etc.) but what
makes them different is the dominant use
of connotative language and figures of
speech to describe and convey content
Vivid Language is used to create images
and impressions
o The importance given to language and
structure is due to the value attached to a
work's 'style' (in other words creativity
weighs as much as content in literature
and the arts) To present a particular
situation or world, a literary text might
even violate language rules (to make
sense of a literary text, the trick is to
'suspend disbelief, ride along with the
writer, and discover the patterns in the
unique use of language)
- NATURAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES
o Biology, chemistry, computer science,
engineering, geology, mathematics,
physics, medicine
o Writing in the sciences focuses on
informing the reader of new discoveries
and assisting readers in discovering truth
through facts and solid data given in detail
o Generally concise and includes genres
such as lab reports and reviews of
scientific literature
EFAP Reviewer
Mathematics Text:
 Is easily recognizable because of
its unique language features. Its
most prominent language
features are the use of symbols
 Math uses symbols in place of
words, such as symbols for
operations like '+' for addition, 'x'
for multiplication
 It often uses letters with special
meanings, like 'x', 'y', and 'z' are
used to stand for variables or the
unknown.
 Notations, numbers, and
formulas are typical of math
texts.
 If there are nouns and verbs in
ordinary language, in the
language of math, the nouns
could be numbers or expressions
with numbers and the verb could
be equal sign =
Natural Science Text:
 In natural science texts such as
physics, chemistry, and a
biology, technical terms, symbols
(ph, NaCI, and CO2) and similar
abbreviations are common
 Similar to other disciplines,
common words like power,
pressure, force, work, and
impulse have a technical meaning
 To help yourself understand
many of the technical terms, you
have to know some prefixes (uni,
semi, and multi), root words (bio,
geo, vis, and derma), and suffixes
 Diagrams and drawings are also
characteristics of science texts
 Typical sentences in science texts
are dense; that is, they are
information - heavy (the lengthy
and dense sentences found in
science text suggest slow reading
for comprehension and retention
of facts)
- SOCIAL SCIENCES
o Anthropology, education, geography, law,
political, science, psychology, sociology,
and economics
o focus on the behavior and societies
o Involve documenting actual events as
they happen
o Research - based writing in the sciences
generally uses a formal tone, third
o person voice, and avoids personal
references and needles adjectives
o Depending on the assignment, you might
also write an analytical, explanatory, or
persuasive paper in any of theses fields
for a popular or professional audience
Social Science Text:
 Requires knowledge of the jargon
of its disciplines, for example:
Political Science (communism,
monarchy, and executive
branch), Economics (market,
profit, equity, and trade
relations), Sociology (migration,
social, class, and discrimination),
Psychology (depression, suicidal,
personality, and motivation).
 Graphs and tables are common
features of social science
readings, therefore, knowing how
to analyze graphic data is a big
advantage.
 Text structures or thought
patterns common in the social
sciences are definition and
example, recount of an event
(history), cause - effect, and
comparison and contrast.
*Formal aspects of articles within that
discipline and plan to emulate them in your
work:
o Title Format Introduction
o Overall organization Tone (especially level
of formality) Person (first, second, or
third person) Voice (active or passive)
o Sections and Subheads Use of images
(photos, tables, graphics, graphs, etc.)
Discipline - specific vocabulary
o Types of sources cited
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o Use of source of information
o Conclusion Documentary style (American
Psychological Association, Modern
Language, Modern Language Association,
Chicago, Council of Science Editors, and
so on)
o Intended audience
o Published format (print or online)
*Different disciplines tend to recommend collecting
different styles of evidence from research sources
EXAMPLE
Biologists:
- Typically required to do laboratory research
Art historians:
- Often use details from a mix of primary and
secondary sources (works of art and art criticism,
respectively
Political scientists:
- Uses demographic data from government surveys
and opinion polls along with direct quotations
from political candidates and party platforms
Social scientist:
- Are likely to gather data from a variety of research
study reports and direct ethnographic observation,
interviews, and field work
Modern Poetry:
- “I expect you to incorporate at least fifteen lines of
poetry in your paper”
History:
- "Back up your work with at least two firsthand
sources such as photos, documents, and artifacts.
You can check items out of the campus museum.”
Language:
- “Choose one non-English language and present
the history of at least twenty links between that
language and German”
Chemistry:
- "Find a minimum of five experiments that show the
characteristics of cooper."
Marketing:
- "I want you to choose a modern product that is
selling well and critique the marketing techniques
involved.”
Biology:
- "You need to conduct your own experiment and
then compare your results to the study presented
in the book."
Note: What is required to complete a basic,
introductory essay might essentially be the same
across all disciplines, but some types of assignments
require discipline – specific organizational features
Business disciplines:
- Documents such as resumes, memos, and
product descriptions require a specialized
organization
Science and engineering:
- Follows specific conventions as they write lab
reports and keep notebooks that include their
drawings and results of their experiments.
- Laboratory reports in the natural and applied
sciences emphasize a careful statement of the
hypothesis and prediction of the experiment.
- They also take special care to account for the
measurements used in investigation to ensure that
it is replicable.
Social Sciences and Humanities:
- Often use specialized formatting to develop
research papers, literature reviews, and book
reviews.
- You will notice a meticulous emphasis on the
specifics of methodology (especially key concepts
surrounding the collection of data, such as
reliability, validity, sample size, and variables) and
careful presentation of results and their
significance.
- An essay in the humanities on a piece of literature
might spend more time setting a theoretical
foundation for its interpretation, it might also more
readily draw from a variety of other disciplines,
and it might present its "findings" more as
questions than as answers.
Note: As you are taking a variety of introductory college
courses, try to familiarize yourself within the jargon of each
discipline you encounter, paying attention to its specialized
vocabulary and terminology (it might even help you make
a list of terms in your note
EFAP Reviewer

B. TEXT STRUCTURE TO GLEAN INFORMATION 4. Order/Sequence/Chronological Order/Temporal

Order
a. Gives readers a chronological of events or a
TEXT STRUCTURE
list of steps in a procedure
- Refers to how the information within a written b. Organized from one point in time to another
text is organized c. Transitional Words: First, Next, Later, and
- Helps understand that a text might present a Finally
main idea and details d. Dates and times are also used
e. Example: “A book about the American
revolution might list the events leading to the
1. Description
war. In another book, steps involved in
a. Organizer: Descriptive Pattern, Describing
harvesting blue crabs might be told.”
Qualities
f. Organizer: Sequence pattern, Chronological
b. Features a detailed description of something
sequence
to give the reader a mental picture
5. Problem – Solution
c. Transitional Words: (Spatial Words) Next to,
a. Sets up a problem or problems, explains the
On top of, Beside
solution, and then discusses the effects of
d. Example: A book may tell all about whales or
the solution
describe what the geography is like in a
b. Transitional words: Problem, Solution, Solve,
particular region
Effect, Hopeful
2. Cause and Effect
c. Organizer: Problem – Solution Organizer
a. Presents the casual relationship between
d. Example: “Park school had a terrible
specific event, idea, or concept, and the
problem. Every day at recess, students would
events, ideas, or concepts that follow
disagree over the slides. Teachers had to
b. Transition Words: Cause, Effect, As a result,
spend time every day taking care of the
Consequently, and Because
arguments. Finally, one teacher came up with
c. Example: Weather patterns could be
a great solution. They bought another set of
described that explain why a big snowstorm
slides that everyone could enjoy.”
occurred.
6. Narration
d. Organizer: Cause – Effect Pattern,
a. Tells a story or explains a sequence of events
Process/Cause and Effect
b. Can be fiction or nonfiction
3. Comparison and Contrast
c. Examples: Novels, Fables, Screenplays,
a. Examines the similarities and differences
Biographies, History books, Accidental
between two or more people, events,
reports
concepts, ideas, and etc.
d. A basic strategy used by writers for
b. May use a clustered approach, with details
presenting action
about the topic followed by details about the
e. Used by the writers for a variety of purposes:
other
To illustrate and support ideas with
c. May show an alternating approach, with the
anecdotes, entertain the readers with stories,
author going back between the two topics
predict what will happen with scenarios, and
d. Transition words: Like, Similar, Unlike, On
explain how something happens with process
the other hand, Also, and Too
narratives
e. Example: “A book about Ancient Greece may
f. Can be objective or subjective
explain how the Spartan women were
g. Retell past events
different from the Athenian women.”
h. The sequence of events can be presented
f. Organizer: Comparison/Contrast
using strategies like flashbacks – To previous
events and flash – forwards to the present or
future
EFAP Reviewer

i. The goal of narration is not only to retell - Invented Definition

everything that happened but rather to screen o Meanings given to words which are
and present details which explain the newly – coined as already being used in
significant event the society
Kinds of Narration o Example: Definition of flash mob
- Objective Narration 8. Classification
o Presents facts to create an accurate time a. Involves combining objects or items into
line of events categories based on distinct characteristics
o Example: Doctors use objective narration b. Grouped and classified items are labeled
to document a patient’s history under new combinations
o Police officers write objective narratives c. Classification paragraphs can be organized
to relate the details of a crime or record using official or personal classification
the testimony of the eyewitness d. Official classifications include widely – known
- Subjective Narration and accepted categories used by the
o Conveys the impressions, feelings, government, a business, or an organization
insights, or point of view e. Example: The classification used by PAG-ASA
o Example: A student’s personal essay are Yellow Rainfall Warning, Orange Rainfall
which details his 4 year pleasant Warning, etc.
experiences in the school
7. Definition
a. Used in explaining unfamiliar terms
b. Clearly stated definitions play a critical role in
a written text
c. Used for two major purposes: To explain or
to convince
d. The goal of narration is not only to retell
everything that happened but rather to screen
and present details which explain the
significant event
Types of Definition
- Standard Definition
o Meanings which rarely changes and is
universally accepted
o Example: Definition of right angle
- Regulatory Definition
o Meanings assigned by organizations and
changes depending on how it is used
o Example: PAG-ASA’s definition of critical
level
- Qualifying Definition
o Meaning of words that are subject for
interpretation
o Example: Eloquent
- Personal Definition
o Definitions which depend on the
interpretations or assigned meaning of
the writer themselves
o Example: The definition of friendship