ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES

REVIEWER | ANDREA TARTAR

12 – STEM ARISTOTLE | SINHS

ACADEMIC LANGUAGE USED FROM VARIOUS
DISCIPLINES
L1: NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ACADEMIC TEXT
ACADEMIC TEXT – information-full written language that contains
ideas and concepts in relation to a particular discipline.
1. Structure – a basic structure of a text consists of introduction,
body, and conclusion.
7. Hedging – a solid decision of a stance on a particular
subject that has strength in the claims that are made.
8. Responsible – one must be responsible enough to provide
evidences and justification for any claims that are made.
9. Organized – well-organized text flows easily from one
section to another in complete logical fashion with lack of
confusion.
10. Plan – planning takes place after research and evaluation
to be shaped for a specific purpose.

With this structure, a text can be considered formal and logical PURPOSES IN READING AN ACADEMIC TEXT
as it enables readers follow the argument and navigate through
the text. o Locate a main idea.
o Scan for information.
A clear structure and logical flow are imperative to a cohesive o Identify existing gaps in studies.
text. o Connect new ideas to existing ones.
o Gain more pieces of information.
2. Tone – is the attitude conveyed in a piece of written text. o Support a particular writing assignment.
o Deeply understand an existing idea.
Where there is a fairly presented opinion from others in an
FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN WRITING AN ACADEMIC TEXT
appropriate narrative tone that describes an argument
accurately without loaded or biased language. o State critical questions and issues.
o Provide facts and evidence from credible sources.
3. Language – using unambiguous language. o Use precise and accurate words while avoiding jargon.
o Take an objective point of view.
o Clear topic sentences. Enables readers to follow the o List references.
author’s line of thinking with ease. o Use cautious language.
o Use of formal language and third-person point of view.
o Use of technical words (jargons) are limited and can only
be used when discussing a part of a study that is language ACADEMIC LANGUAGE – language needed and used by students
in school. It is a discipline-specific vocabulary, grammar and
appropriate.
punctuations, and applications of rhetorical conventions and
4. Citations – endnotes and footnotes that serve as references in devices.
a very important aspect. SOCIAL LANGUAGE – set of vocabulary used for better and easier
communication in regular daily conversations.
It is essential to defend a text against allegations of plagiarism.
Social Language Academic Language
5. Complexity – requires higher-order thinking skills to attain full
comprehension. o Everyday interactions in o In textbooks, researc h
spoken/written form. papers, conferences…
6. Evidence-Based Arguments – it is a valued that an opinion is o Everyday conversation. o School/Work conversations.
o Writing to friends, family, or o Written paper, classwork ,
based on a sound understanding after reading a pertinent body
for other social purposes. homework.
of knowledge, especially debates that often exist within a
o Informal. o Formal and sophisticated.
specific discipline. o Use of slang. o Avoidance of slang.
o Can be repetitive. o Use of sentences.
7. Thesis-Driven – a particular perspective, idea, or stance is a o Uses phrases. o Sentences that has
starting point of an academic text applies to a chosen research o Does not follow a necessary appropriate transitions and
problem that establishes, proves, or disproves solutions to the grammar convention. cohesiveness.
questions posed for the topic.

FEATURES OF AN ACADEMIC TEXT CHARACTERISTICS OF ACADEMIC LANGUAGE

1. Complex – shorter words and has more lexically varied
vocabulary where the text had more grammatical
complexity having more subordinate clauses and passives.
2. Formal – avoidance of using colloquial words and
expressions.
3. Precise – facts are given with accuracy and precision.
4. Objective – there are fewer words that can emphasize on
the information one wants to give and arguments one
wants to make. (Usage of nouns-adjectives, instead of
verbs-adverbs).
5. Accurate – use of words accurately in a narrow specific
meaning.
6. Explicit – a writer is responsible to make it clear to their
reader how the various parts of the text are related.
A. Formal – is not conversational or casual. Avoidance of
colloquial, idiomatic, slang, or journalistic expressions.
B. Objective – is unbiased. Based on facts and evidences
that are not influenced by the author’s personal feelings.
C. Impersonal – usage of third-person point of view instead
of first-person point of view.
L2: TEXT STRUCTURE
TEXT STRUCTURES – a way that a text is organized by the author.
It can help students focus their attention on key concepts and
relationships, anticipate what to expect, and monitor reading
comprehension.
 ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
REVIEWER | ANDREA TARTAR
12 – STEM ARISTOTLE | SINHS

COMMON TEXT STRUCTURES

1. Narrative – narrates an event/story with characters,
setting, conflict, point of view, and plot. Uses descriptive
language (adjectives, adverbs, similes, and metaphors).
2. Chronological, Process, or Sequence – ideas or events
are presented in order. (First, second, third, later, next,
before, then, finally, after, when, since, now/previously, use
of dates).
3. Cause and Effect – provides explanations or reasons for
phenomena. (if/then, reasons why, as a result, therefore,
because, consequently, since, so that, for, due to).
4. Problem/Solution – identifying problems to pose
solutions. (problem is, dilemma is, if/then, because, so that,
question/answer, puzzle is solved).
5. Compare and Contrast – discussing similarities and
differences of two events, ideas, or phenomena.
(however/yet, nevertheless, on the other hand,
but/whereas—similarly, although, also/likewise, in
contrast/comparison, different, either/or, in the same
way/just as).
6. Definition or Description – listing characteristics,
features, attributes, and examples to describe a topic. (for
example, characteristics, for instance, such as, including,
to illustrate).

WHY IS TEXT STRUCTURES IMPORTANT?

- It can significantly improve their comprehension and
retention of information when they can identify and
recognize the text structure of a text.
• Organize information and details they are learning in
their minds while reading.
• Make connections between the details being
presented in a text.
• Summarize the important details shared in a text.