CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3
Lesson 1
Academic Research and the

Documented Essay in the Twenty-First
Century
Academic Research and the Documented Essay in the
Twenty-First Century
What is academic writing?

Academic Writing
Many people, students included, believe that academic writing
means "sounding like research paper," which they associate with
"highfaluting" or jargon-filled language, a stiff style and the
absence of the writer's voice or opinion, and boring and rehashed
topic.
In truth, the label "academic" refers to a student's informed,

scholarly, and insightful contribution to ongoing discussions of
relevant topics or issues.
Specific and Clear Language
Academic writing should not sound pompous. Pompous language obscures
meaning, as given in this example:
Scintillate, scintillate, globule aurific

Fair would I fathom thy nature specific
Loftily perched in the ether capacious
Strongly resembling a gem carbonaceous
Academic writing should not be difficult to read because academic

knowledge is meant to be shared with others. Instead of using unnecessarily
difficult words, students should aim for precise and appropriate language.
Informal/Non-Standard Usages More Formal/Precise Equivalents
alright, alot, result to, discuss about, cope up with

all right, a lot, result in, discuss, cope with
(non-standard, informal, or unique to certain
(acceptable usages in Standard written English)
varieties of English)
entertaining, insightful, interesting, instructive

good - as in "good" book (imprecise)
(precise)
can't, won't, I'll, she's, didn't (conversational, cannot, will not, I will, she is, did not (spelled out
speech-based contractions) as two words)
gonna, gotta (conversational/speech-based going to, have to

shortcuts) (spelled out)
anyways, boring as hell, bored to death, major anyway, boring or uninteresting, extremely bored,
downer (conversational/informal depressing (more formal/precise/uncluttered
I arrived here late; she left the office; he received a
I got here late; she got out of the office; he got a
call; they loaded gas or refuelled (more specific
call; they got gas (conversational/informal)
alternatives)
ASAP, BTW, SOP (acronyms that may not be as soon as possible, by the way, standard
universally known) operating procedure (spelled out)
University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila Uiversity,

UP, ADMU, DLSU (acronyms for institution) De La Salle University (spelled out the first time they are
used, but later may be substituted with acronyms)
hit the sack, loo, and comfort room (expressions

sleep, toilet or bathroom (more widely understood
form American English, British English, and
usages)
Philippine English
laugh out load, away from keyboard, no reply

lol, afk, nrn, #feels (informal internet or text
necessary, a wave of emotions (spelled out or
messaging language)
explained)
Other terms one should avoid or use care are technical or specialized terms
that specific to a professional discourse community. At times, there may be a
need to include some technical terms from the disciplines or area one is
writing about. If this is the case, definitions of these terms should be
provided for readers unfamiliar with them.
Here are two examples:
"You need to shift your register, or the style of your language, to suit the
person or audience you plan to address."
"The expression pabebe, which refers to someone who is talking in a
baby-like manner in order to appear or sound cute, has recently risen in
popularity."
A Balanced and Credible Voice
Besides using clear and specific language, academic writing should not be
stiff or stilted and somber in tone. In academic writing, this means doing
away with emotive punctuation marks like exclamation points, whether
single (!) or multiple (!!!), and dramatic ellipses (...) used as a way of trailing
off.
Many students believe that writing "I" in an essay is somehow wrong, but this
is not true for all types of academic paper. The writer's personality and
reactions are subdued in an academic paper because the focus of the reader
should be on the subject of the paper.
Cluttered writing
I found the Dulaang UP play Haring Lear (King Lear) to be not just
entertaining but also insightful because I felt that the Tagalog translation
effectively and humorously conveyed the spirit of Shakespeare's original
dysfunctional family. To a contemporary Filipino audience.
Tighter writing
The Dulaang UP play Haring Lear (King Lear) was not just entertaining but
insightful because the Tagalog translation effectively and humorously
conveyed the spirit of Shakespeare's original dysfunctional family to a
contemporary Filipino audience.
Writer-focused
Our group conducted a survey on 100 University of the Philippines freshmen
to find out their opinions on the new academic calendar.
Focus on the subject

A survey was conducted on 100 University of the Philippines freshmen to find
out their opinions on the new academic calendar.
Socially and Culturally Relevant Topic
Academics often identify their research interest, that is, subjects or
questions that they eager to engage with and study. A student should begin
by considering the topics that are particularly interesting and relevant for
him/her.

CHAPTER 3 - Purposive Communication

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Academic Research and the

What is academic writing?

In truth, the label "academic" refers to a student's informed,

Scintillate, scintillate, globule aurific

Academic writing should not be difficult to read because academic

alright, alot, result to, discuss about, cope up with

entertaining, insightful, interesting, instructive

gonna, gotta (conversational/speech-based going to, have to

University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila Uiversity,

hit the sack, loo, and comfort room (expressions

laugh out load, away from keyboard, no reply

Here are two examples:

Focus on the subject

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