FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS ON TEXT

PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION

English for Academic and Professional Purposes
 Academic Writing
Academic writing is any writing done to fulfill a
requirement of a college, or university. Academic writing is also
used for publications that are read by teacher and researchers or
presented at conferences. A very broad definition of academic
writing could include any writing assignment given in an
academic setting (yourdictionary.com).
Factors that Affect Writing
1. Topic
2. Role of the Writer
3. Purpose of the Material
4. Target Audience
1. Topic
• What is the text
about?
• What details am I
imparting to the
readers?
2. Role of the Writer

• Who am I as a writer?
• Do I write as a student? As a customer? A
professional? A colleague?
3. Purpose of the Material

• Why am I writing this in the first place?

• What are your expectations to your audience
after reading the text?
4. Target Audience
• Who will read the text?
• How much do they already know
about the topic?
Aspects of Professional and Academic Language
1. Formality
2. Objectivity
3. Explicitness
4. Hedging
1. Formality
Formality reflects your dignified stance in
your writing as a member of academic
community.
This means that since your audience are fellow
members of the academic community, the
language you use requires precision to make it
a “legitimate” piece of academic writing.
1. Formality
• Formality can be achieved through the
following ways:
– Avoid using contractions
Ex:
can’t – cannot
won’t – will not
haven’t – have not
1. Formality
• Formality can be achieved through the
following ways:
– Use one verb form over two word
verbs
Ex:
messed up – damage
Gives off – emits/release
1. Formality
• Formality can be achieved through the
following ways:
– Use expanded terms instead of
abbreviated equivalents.
Ex:
ASAP- as soon as possible
1. Formality
• Formality can be achieved through the
following ways:
– Avoid colloquial/trite/idiomatic
expressions.
Examine the following sentences:
1. Writing can’t be done effectively if you
don’t burn the midnight oil.
2. The class is cooking up something big.
3. The convenience store is open 24/7.
4. Drop Dead Diva episodes began airing in
July, when romcom returned for its
sophomore year.
5. The dollar rate went up and down.
Informal Formal Informal Formal
sorry apologize start commence
choose select help assist
buy purchase use consume
tell inform empty vacant
so therefore build construct
ask request seem appear
check verify want desire
maybe perhaps worse inferior
get receive kids children
1. Formality
• Levels of Formality:
– Formal
– Semi-Formal
– Informal
Formal and informal language serve different
purposes, the tone, the choice of words , and
the way they are put together vary between
the two styles.
Formal Language is less personal. It is used for
writing for professional or academic purposes
likes assignments.
Informal language is more casual and
spontaneous.
Aspects of Professional and Academic
Language
2. Objectivity
Academic and professional language
should be objective and unbiased.
This means that writing should be
impersonal and maintains a certain level of
social distance.
2. Objectivity
Examples:
You need to conduct the experiment.
Revision:
The researchers need to conduct the
experiment.

The investigators were very shocked to see the

outcome of the test.
Revision:
The investigators did not expect the results.
3. Explicitness
• Use clear and direct language.
• Academic writing demands the use of
signaling post that allow readers to trace the
relationships in the parts of the study.
• According to Gillet (2020), explicitness is
needed (1) to make it clear to the readers
how the various parts of the text are related
and (2) acknowledge the sources of the
ideas in the text.
Why do we need signaling words?
• To signal that the line of argument is going to
change
• To indicate that the sentence gives reason
• To signal that you are giving extra
information
• To give examples
• To acknowledge sources
https://7esl.com/transition-words/
4. Hedging
• Academic writing requires care since
knowledge is built from proven theories and
concepts. Therefore, hedging is needed to
avoid sweeping generalizations.

• It refers to linguistic
devices to express
hesitation or uncertainty.
https://academicmarker.com/academic-guidance/vocabulary/hedging-language/what-are-the-different-types-of-hedging-
language/
Hedging
Using Modal Verbs
(will, must, would, may, can, might could)
Ex:
The observation of students’ use of social
networking sites may lead to the different behaviors
that manifest in real-life communication.
Using adverbs of frequency
(often, sometimes, usually)
Ex:
The essay that were given marks were usually high.
Hedging

Using Verbs
(tends, suggests, appear to be, think, believe,
doubt, indicate)
Ex:
The findings of the survey suggest that the
student who use the social networking in their
academic work tend to be more updated on recent
developments in their respective subjects.
 eLMS Assignment

• Access the module 01 Fundamental Consideration on

text production and Consumption and accomplish
Assignment Part 1&2