Eapp Q1 M1

English for Academic and Professional Purposes
Quarter 1 - Module 1: Reading Academic Texts
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.
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.
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

Factors to Consider in Writing Academic Text
1. To locate a main idea;
1.State critical questions and issues;
2. To scan for information;
2. Provide facts and evidence from credible sources;
3. To identify gaps in existing studies;
3. Use precise and accurate words while avoiding jargon;
4. To connect new ideas to existing ones;
4. Take an objective point of view;
5. To gain more pieces of information;
5. List references; and,
6. To support a particular writing assignment; and,
6. Use cautious language.
7. To deeply understand an existing idea.
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:
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.
ACTIVITY 1
Instructions: 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.

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English for Academic and Professional Purposes

Quarter 1 - Module 1: Reading Academic Texts

Nature and Characteristics of an Academic Text

Features of Academic Texts:

Purposes in Reading an Academic Text

Characteristics of Academic Language

Instructions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if is not.

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