Lesson

Academic Language used from

1 Various Disciplines

What’s In

A. Direction: Read the passages below. Then, identify whether each passage can be an
academic text or non-academic text. Write A if it is academic and N if it is non-
academic.

_____1. Some educators suggest that the distinction between conversational and academic
language is somewhat arbitrary and that it is the situation, community, or context
that is either predominantly social or academic.
_____2. The current study showed that COVID-19 pandemic lockdown affected the
academic performance of most participants with varying degrees.
_____3. In his reverie he remembers how nature marked the season it happened.
_____4. I believe they are the first and last and the closest things I have to say about my
own life.
_____5. The current study showed that the most popular device that students used to
access the online materials was the smart phone followed by laptop, while the
least used tool was the personal computer.

What’s New

Direction: Read and answer the questions below. Write your answers on a separated
sheet of paper.

1. What is the easiest writing assignment you have done so far?

2. How about the most difficult writing assignment you have done?
3. Based on your answer, what do you think is academic writing and its differences
from other kinds of writing?

What is it
Nature and Characteristics of an Academic Text
An academic text is a written language that provides information, which contain
ideas and concepts that are related to the particular discipline. Essay, Research Paper,
Report, Project, Article, Thesis, and Dissertation are considered as academic texts.

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Structure

The basic structure that is used by an academic text is consist of three (3) parts
introduction, body, and conclusion which is formal and logical. This kind of structure
enables the reader to follow the argument and navigate the text. In academic writing a
clear structure and a logical flow are imperative to a cohesive text.

Tone

This refers to the attitude conveyed in a piece of writing. The arguments of others are
fairly presented and with an appropriate narrative tone. When presenting a position or
argument that disagrees with one’s perspectives, describe the argument accurately
without loaded or biased language.

Language

It is important to use unambiguous language. Clear topic sentences enable a reader to

follow your line of thinking without difficulty. Formal language and the third person point-
of-view should be used. Technical language appropriate to area of study may also be used,
however, it does not mean using “big words” just for the sake of doing so.

Citation

Citing sources in the body of the paper and providing a list of references as either
footnotes or endnotes is a very important aspect of an academic text. It is essential to
always acknowledge the source of any ideas, research findings, data, or quoted text that
have been used in a paper as a defense against allegations of plagiarism.

Complexity

An academic text addresses complex issues that require higher-order thinking skills to
comprehend.

Evidence-based Arguments

What is valued in an academic text is that opinions are based on a sound understanding
of the pertinent body of knowledge and academic debates that exist within, and often
external to a specific discipline.

Thesis-driven

The starting point of an academic text is a particular perspective, idea or position

applied to the chosen research problem, such as establishing, proving, or disproving
solutions to the questions posed for the topic.

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Features of Academic Texts:
1. Complex
- Written language has no longer words, it is lexically more varied vocabulary.
- Written texts are shorter and the language has more grammatical complexity,
including more subordinate clauses and more passives.
2. Formal
- Should avoid colloquial words and expressions.
3. Precise
- Facts are given accurately and precisely.
4. Objective
- has fewer words that emphasize on the information you want to give and the
arguments you want to make
- mostly use nouns (adjectives), rather than verbs (adverbs)
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 decisions 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.
9. Organize
- Well-organized.
- It flows easily from one section to the next in a logical fashion.
10. Plan
- Well-planned.
- It usually takes place after research and evaluation, according to specific
purpose and plan.
Purposes in Reading an Academic Text

1. To locate a main idea;

2. To scan for information;
3. To identify gaps in existing studies;
4. To connect new ideas to existing ones;
5. To gain more pieces of information;
6. To support a particular writing assignment; and,
7. To deeply understand an existing idea.

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 Factors to Consider in Writing Academic Text
1. State critical questions and issues;
2. Provide facts and evidence from credible sources;
3. Use precise and accurate words while avoiding jargon;
4. Take an objective point of view;
5. List references; and,
6. Use cautious language.

Academic Language

Academic language is the language needed by students to do the work in schools.

It includes, for example, discipline-specific vocabulary, grammar and punctuation, and
applications of rhetorical conventions and devices that are typical for a content area (e.g.,
essays, lab reports, discussions of a controversial issue.) Students who master academic
language are more likely to be successful in academic and professional settings.

Social language is the set of vocabulary that allows us to communicate with others
in the context of regular daily conversations.

Here are some of the differences between social and academic language includes:
Social Language Academic Language
In everyday interactions in In textbooks, research papers, conferences
spoken/written form in spoken/written form
For everyday conversation Used in school/work conversations
Used to write to friends, family, or for Appropriate for written papers, classwork,
other social purposes homework
Informal, such as words like ''cool,'' Very formal and more sophisticated in its
''guy,'' ''kidding'') expressions, such as words like
''appropriate,'' ''studies,''
''implementation''
Can use slang expressions Don't use slang
Can be repetitive Uses a variety of terms
Can use phrases Uses sentences
Sentences don't follow grammar Sentences begin with appropriate
conventions necessarily, with phrases transitions, like, ''moreover'' or ''in
like, ''you're hungry?'' addition'')
(Social & Academic Language Acquisition: Differences & Characteristics, 2020)

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Characteristics of Academic Language
A. Formal
- It should not sound conversational or casual. Colloquial, idiomatic, slang or journalistic
expressions should particularly be avoided.
Examples:
Use… Instead…
Consider, monitor Look at
Revise, review Go over
Solve, repair, amend Fix

B. Objective
- This means it is unbiased. It should be based on facts and evidence and are not
influenced by personal feelings.

C. Impersonal
- This involves avoiding the personal pronouns ‘I’ and ‘we’. For example, instead of
writing ‘I will show’, you might write ‘this report will show’. The second person,
‘you’, is also to be avoided.

Let us see now how well you know about the structure of an academic text. Belowis the activity
that you are going to do.

What’s More
Instruction: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if is not.
1. Students who master academic language are more likely to be successful in
academic and professional settings.
2. An academic text makes use of complex jargons to promote a higher level
of comprehension.
3. Academic text uses words which tones up claims expressing certainty.
4. Both academic and non-academic texts can be used to inform.
5. The language used in academic texts should be conversational.
6. In reading an academic text, it helps acquire new information.
7. An academic text needs less concentration and focus because the terms are
simple.
8. It is in academic text that issues are stated to provoke informationdiscussion.
9. A magazine is an academic text.
10. Academic language should be objective, precise, impersonal and formal.
(Accessed from: https://www.slideshare.net/jellianerosedinorog/academic-text-style-and-structure)

Key to answers on page 27

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 Lesson

2 Text Structure

What’s In

From the past lesson, you have learned:

• To differentiate language used in academic texts from various disciplines.
• Academic language is the language needed by students to do the work in
schools.
• Academic language and social language have its own purpose.

Activity 1. Direction: Match the informal vocabulary in the list below with the more
appropriate formal options from the box.
Revise, review Commence, initiate, undertake Solve, repair, amend
Confirm, determine Satisfactorily, positive, favorable Consider, monitor, analyze
Somewhat, fairly Demonstrate, indicate, illustrate A great deal of, many
Reasonable

1. Go over - ______________________________ 6. A lot of - _________________________________

2. Show - ______________________________ 7. A bit - ________________________________
3. Begin - ______________________________ 8. Fix - _________________________________
4. Good - ______________________________ 9. Make sure - ________________________________
5. Look at- ______________________________ 10. Quite good-______________________________
(Research & Learning Online, 2020)

What’s New

In module 1, you have learned that the means to glean information is to understand
the meaning of the words on how it is used in the context. At this point, you will be
learning more techniques of understanding and appreciating academic texts. Let us begin
our journey in learning from Module 2!

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Activity 2. Direction: Classify the signal words given below based on how they are used.
Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Since because however for instance

Such as although so that important
powerful due to finally later

Narrative Sequence Cause & Problem/ Compare Definition

Effect Solution & Contrast or
Description

Key to answers on page 27

What is it

Have you ever wondered how are the thoughts in academic texts organized?
Now, let us learn how academic texts are structured.

Common Text Structures

Text structures (WDPI, 2012) refer to the way authors organize information in
text. Recognizing the underlying structure of texts can help students focus attention on
key concepts and relationships, anticipate what is to come, and monitor their
comprehension as they read.

Text Definition Graphic Transitions/ Questions

Structure Organizer Signal Words
Narrative Narrates an Descriptive - Who is the
event/story language narrative
with (adjectives, about?
characters, adverbs, - Where is it
setting, conflict, similes, and set?
point of view, metaphors) - What is the
and plot conflict?
- Who is telling
the narrative?
- What is
happening?

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Chronological, Present ideas - First, second, - What items,
Process, or or events in the third… events, or steps
Sequence order in which - Later are listed?
they happen - Next - Do they have
- Before to/ always
- Then happen in this
- Finally order?
- After - What sequence
- When of events is
- Since being described?
- Now/ - What are the
previously major incidents
- Actual use of that occur?
dates - How is this
structure
revealed in the
text?
Cause and Provide - If/then - What
Effect explanations or - reasons why happened?
reasons for - as a result - Why did it
phenomena - therefore happen?
- because
- What caused
- consequently
it to happen?
- since
- so that
- for
- due to
Problem/ Identify - problem is - What is the
Solution problems and - dilemma is problem?
pose solutions - if/then - Why is this a
- because problem?
- so that - Is anything
- question/ being done to try
answer to solve the
- puzzle is problem?
solved - What can be
done to solve the
problem?
Compare and Discuss two - However/yet - What items
Contrast ideas, events, - Nevertheless are being
or phenomena, - on the other compared?
showing how Difference Difference
hand - In what ways
Similarities
- but/ whereas –
they are are they
similarly
different and similar?
- although
how they are - also/likewise Different?
similar - in contrast/ - What
comparison conclusion
- different does the
- either/or author reach
- in the same about these
way/ just as items?
- What
conclusion
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 does the
author reach
about these
items?
Definition or Describes a - for example - What are the
Description topic by listing - characteristics most
characteristics, - for instance important
features, - such as characteristics?
- including
attributes, and - how is it
- to illustrate
examples being
described
(what does it
look like, how
does it work,
etc.)?
- What is
important to
remember
about it?
©2012 Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction – Form DL-I

Why is Text Structure Important?

The readers can significantly improve their comprehension and retention of information
when they can identify and recognize the text structure of a text. It can also help them:

1. Organize information and details they are learning in their minds while reading.
2. Make connections between the details being presented in a text
3. Summarize the important details shared in a text

At this stage, you should have several ideas on the common text structures used
in academic texts. Keep in mind these ideas because you are going to use your knowledge
on text structures for enhancing your skills in gleaning information.

Let us see how much you have understood about the topic by answering the activity
prepared below.

What’s More
Activity 3. Direction: Identify the text structure based on the given statement. Write your
answers on a separate sheet.

_________1. This text structure is “how are things in the text similar or different.”
_________2. The text structure that discusses what is specifically being described.
_________3. The text structure that is written in a style that tells what happened ang why it
happens.
_________4. This text structure tells what the conflict is, or problem, and how it was solved.
_________5. The text structure that shows events taking place over time or gives steps is…
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