FUNDAMENTALS

OF READING
ACADEMIC TEXTS
Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:

• Determine the purpose of reading;

• Identify the features of academic texts; and

• Differentiate academic from non-academic texts

 ACADEMIC

= used to describe things that relate to the work done

in schools, colleges, and universities, especially work
which involves studying and reasoning rather than
practical or technical skills.
ACADEMIC TEXTS
= texts that present facts and
evidence to support a claim.
= has a clearly-defined structure.
= persuade the reader to accept a
point of view.
= words are carefully chosen to
present an arguments as effectively
as possible.
 ACADEMIC STRUCTURES
TEXTS
- Formal
- Clearly structured
Introduction, Body and
Conclusion
- Information from credible NON-
sources
- Properly cited ACADEMIC
- Include a list of
references
TEXTS
- The entire opposite
 CONTENT AND STYLE
ACADEMIC NON-ACADEMIC
They exhibit the properties of a well written The entire opposite
text
• They state critical questions and issues
• They provide facts and evidences
• They precise and accurate words avoiding
jargon
• They take an objective point of view and not
personal or subjective
• They list references
• They use hedging or cautious language to
tone down their claims
Example:
May, might, can
To seem, to believe, to propose
Perhaps, possibly, likely, it seems likely and etc
 EXAMPLES OF ACADEMIC AND NON-ACADEMIC TEXTS
ACADEMIC NON-ACADEMIC

Thesis/Dissertations – are personal researches written by a candidate for a Magazine

college or university degree.

Articles – published in scholarly journals Comics

(results of research)

Conference Papers – are papers presented in scholastic conferences, revised as Novels

articles for possible
publication

Reviews – evaluation of works published in Story books

scholarly journals
 CRITICAL READING STRATEGIES
BEFORE READING DURING READING AFTER READING
• Determine which type of • Annotate important parts of • Reflect on what you learned
academic/non-academic text the text • React on some parts of the
you want to read texts
• Determine and establish your • Discuss/share your thoughts to
purpose for reading your teacher or classmate
• Identify the author’s purpose
for writing
 OTHER READING STRATEGIES
SQ3R METHOD KWL METHOD
SURVEY – Get a feel of the text K -------- (what I KNOW about the topic)
skim the target text

QUESTION – develop questions on the types of information you expect W -------- (what I WANT to learn)
from the text

READ – look for answers to your questions as you read L -------- (what I have LEARNED)

RECITE – recount the main points of the text

recall by writing a summary
highlight/ underline important points that
you read

REVIEW – evaluate what you learned to ensure that you are convinced
and satisfied with the information presented
END