LANGUAGE USE
IN ACADEMIC
WRITING
ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
QUARTER 1 – MODULE 1 READING AND WRITING
ACADEMIC TEXTS
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the learners are expected
to:
1. determine language style in academic writing;
2. differentiate language style used in academic texts
from various disciplines; and
3. construct paragraphs using academic language.
Let’s Recall!
☺ A well-structured text enables the reader to follow the
argument and navigate the text.
☺ A clear structure and a logical flow are imperative to a
cohesive text.
☺ Most academic texts follow established structures such
as: the threepart essay structure and the IMRaD structure.
☺ Structure should be considered on all levels of text so;
you will also find information on structuring paragraphs.
Directions: Use the given subject and verb in constructing your own
sentence. Observe subject-verb agreement in your sentences. You may add
“s” or “es” to the verb. Write your answer in your notebook.
Spot the Difference!
Directions: What is the difference in the following pairs of sentences?
Explain your answer. Write your answer in your notebook.
Pair 1
S1: It was raining cats and dogs.
S2: It was raining very heavily.
Pair 2
S3: We believe the practice is unsustainable.
S4: It is believed the practice is unsustainable.
What is an Academic
Language?
Academic language represents the language
demands of school (academics). Academic language
includes language used in textbooks, in classrooms,
on tests, and in each discipline. It is different in
vocabulary and structure from the everyday spoken
English of social interactions. Each type of
communication (both academic and social) has its
purpose, and neither is superior to the other.
Academic writing is generally quite formal, objective (impersonal) and technical as illustrated in the diagram below.
It is formal by avoiding casual or conversational
language, such as contractions or informal
vocabulary. It is impersonal and objective by
avoiding direct reference to people or feelings, and
instead emphasizing objects, facts and ideas. It is
technical by using vocabulary specific to the
discipline.
Furthermore, you can make your writing more formal,
objective and technical by following examples below.
Let’s Practice!
Directions: What do you think is the most correct answer in the following instances. Write your answer in your
notebook.
1. Instead of the informal 'I have read', use ( I think, The essay has )
2. The phrase 'turn out to be' is informal. Instead, use: ( become , end up )
3. Instead of 'paid for', use ( given, funded )
4. ‘Job' is a little too informal. Instead write ( role, gig, )
5. Instead of ‘funny’ use ( laughable, ironic )
6. Instead of 'picked out', use( selected, taken )
7. Rather than “stand for” write ( be, represent )
8. The term 'music fans' is informal. Instead, use ( audience, goers )
9. As a substitute for 'killing', use ( assassination, political murder)
10. Instead of 'given off', use (created, done )
Sentence Construction
Directions: Transform the simple sentence into compound or complex sentences. Write your
answer in your notebook. The first one is done for you.
1.The exam is difficult. It is also exasperating.
Answer: The exam is difficult and exasperating.
2.Captain Lewis allowed his men to make important decisions in a democratic manner. This
democratic attitude fostered spirit of togetherness and commitment on the part Louis’ fellow
explorers.
3. He studied the biological and natural sciences. He learned how to categorize and draw
animals accurately.
4.Mark Twain is the author of Huckleberry Finn. Huckleberry Finn is a classic American novel
Sentence Construction
5.My friend likes coffee. She likes tea. She doesn’t like milk.
6. John F. Kennedy was inaugurated into office in January of 1961. He was assassinated in
November of 1963.
7. Some students become nervous around computers. Other students seem to enjoy new
challenges.
8. Jae Hee comes from Korea. Kyung Eun comes from Korea. Jae Hyun comes from Korea.
9. I am going to buy the skateboard. It is blue.It has red wheels. It has a picture of a dragon on
top.
10. My father is 45 years old. He plays football. He goes jogging. He does not play tennis
anymore. His wrist was broken. This happened two years ago.
POST ASSESSMENT
Multiple Choice
Directions: Choose the word that
best answers the given questions.
Write the letter of your answers in
your notebook.
1.As long as you know your tutor, you don't need to use
a formal style of writing. It's good to be friendly.
A.Some tutors like you to be formal but some don't mind
as long as you do the work.
B.You only need to be formal in exams, not regular
coursework.
C. It's good to be friendly but always use formal English
when you write assignments.
D.Formal English is too old-fashioned these day
2. Contractions are:
A. what happens when you have a baby
B. when someone says the opposite to you
C. when something is too narrow
D. a shortened form of a word
3. Which example is correct?
A. However, the main reasons are time, money and cost.
B. However the main reasons, are time, money, and, cost.
C. However, the main reasons are time money and cost.
D. However, the main reasons, are time money, and cost.
4. Which is correct?
A. They were effected badly by the incident
B. The incident effected them badly.
C. They were affected badly by the incident.
D. The affects of the incident were bad.
5. Choose the right one:
A. It's bowl's empty.
B. Its bowl's empty.
C. Its' bowls' empty.
D. It's bowls empty.
6. 'Information on the internet is 'free'. Anyone can use it
without having to reference
it.‘
A. True
B. False
C. It depends on how important the assignment is.
D. You only need to reference authors' work on the internet
7. What is an academic language...
A. is a set of vocabulary terms used in schools
B. comes as second nature to native speakers, but is difficult for
ELLs to acquire
C. is the linguistic register that students are expected to use in
school subjects
D. All of the above
8. When do you use formal language?
A. In an academic essay.
B. When you talk to a friend.
C. When you write a text message.
D. In sending emails.
9. What does it mean to write academically?
A. To write in order to pass final exams
B. To write paper for scholars
C. To write using proper English language
D. To avoid copy pasting from the Internet
10. The term, "VERY OFTEN" may be improved using a
more appropriate academic word which is:
A. Frequently
B. Rarely
C. Seriously
D. Stubbornly
Let’s Remember
This!
To be a good academic writer, I need to learn the specific styles and structures for my
own discipline, as well as for each individual writing task.
Some ways to do this are to:
☺ask for more information from your lecturer or teacher
☺study the writing style of the academic articles in the most prestigious journals in
your discipline
☺look at the successful writing by other students in your subject area.
☺Different disciplines often have quite different expectations about how objective or
subjective my writing can be.
For example, in some fields it is fine to use first person, such as 'my view is that...',
while in other fields this is not acceptable. I should look at the convention used in
published articles in my discipline area.
