Las - Week 1 (Eng)
Las - Week 1 (Eng)
Las - Week 1 (Eng)
After reading this learning activity sheet, you should be able to distinguish the features of academic
writing. (EN7WC-I-c-4.2)
Specifically, you should also be able to:
a. describe what is academic writing;
b. identify the different features or characteristics of academic writing; and
c. appreciate the unique features of academic writing as compared to creative writing or any other types
of writing.
2. Objectivity means that the writing must be impersonal. The main emphasis should be on the presented
information and/or arguments rather than what you think about the issue.
It is achieved through:
2.1 Avoiding the use of personal pronouns such as you, I and we.
Poor example Improved
1. We need to conduct the experiment. The researchers need to conduct the experiment.
2. You can easily forget how different life was 50 It is easy to forget how different life was 50 years
years ago. ago.
2.2 Avoiding rhetorical questions.
3. Explicitness is the responsibility of the writer in English to make it clear to the reader how the various
parts of the text are related.
It is achieved through:
3.1 Using different signaling words
Comparison/similar ideas
Similarly, in the same way
Contrast/opposite ideas
But, however, on the contrary
Cause and effect
Consequently, as a result, because
Sentence:
One should notify any change of address to the Bonds and Stocks Office. Similarly, savings certificates
should be re-registered with the Post Office.
4. Caution is an important feature of academic writing which is the concept of cautious language, often
called “hedging” or “vague language”. Caution is needed to avoid sweeping generalizations.
It is achieved through:
3.1 Using devices such as modal verbs, adverbs, or verbs
Examples:
Modal verbs would, may, can, might, should
Adverbs of frequency often, sometimes, usually
Verbs tend, suggest, think, believe, doubt
Other devices:
1. The commitment to some of the social and It may be said that the commitment to some of the
economic concepts was less strong than it is social and economic concepts was less strong than it is
now. now.
2. Nowadays the urinary symptoms are of a Nowadays the urinary symptoms seem to be of a lesser
lesser order. order.
Directions: Rewrite the following sentences by expanding the underlined contracted words.
_______1. We hadn’t played their team before.
_______2. They weren’t afraid to play our team.
_______3. The crowd mustn’t forget to applaud both teams.
_______4. Winning isn’t everything.
_______5. We aren’t giving up.
_______6. Our class couldn’t decide on a mascot.
_______7. Mr. Reyes doesn’t like snakes.
_______8. We didn’t want to have a dog.
_______9. Our school colors aren’t black and gold.
_______10. Our class didn’t have any good ideas.
ACTIVITY 3: Put a check () if the sentence observes the features of academic writing or put an ( ×) if it does
not. Write your answers in your English
activity notebook.
3
_______1. You should cite the sources you use properly.
_______2. You should avoid using different signaling words.
_______3. You should avoid emotive language that shows biases.
_______4. You should place the main emphasis on the information.
_______5. You should make use of idiomatic expressions more often.
_______6. You should use slang words (e.g. wanna, gonna, fab).
_______7. You should not demonstrate your understanding of the source material.
_______8. You should justify your position and provide evidence for the claims you make.
_______9. You should use one word verbs (e.g. educate) rather than phrasal verbs (e.g. bring up).
_______10. Simpler words are preferable than complex words (e.g. make is better than produce or
manufacture).
ACTIVITY 4: The table below is composed of sentences that are examples of academic writing. Some of
the words are underlined for you to analyze what feature of academic writing it indicates, and give evidence
that proves your point. Number 1 is already done for you.
ACTIVITY 5: Read the statements below and answer the questions that follow.
A. The researchers need to conduct an experiment to find the cure for the virus.
B. We need to conduct an experiment to find the cure for the virus.
1. Which of the above statements observe good academic writing?
2. What feature of academic writing is used?