EAPP Lesson 1:

ACADEMIC LANGUAGE
USED FROM VARIOUS
DISCIPLINES
Nature and Characteristics of an Academic Text
An academic text is a written language that provides information containing ideas and
concepts related to a particular discipline. Essay, Research Paper, Report, Project,
Article, Thesis, and Dissertation are considered as academic texts

STRUCTURE
The basic structure used by an academic text consists of three (3) parts introduction, body, and
conclusion which are 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
thinking without difficulty. Formal language and the third-person point-of-view should be used.
Technical language appropriate to the 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 are 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 academic texts are those opinions 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.
 
CHARACTERISTICS OF ACADEMIC TEXTS

1. Typically, FORMAL
In general, this means in writing academic texts you should AVOID:
a . colloquial words and expressions: “stuff”, “a lot of”, “thing”, “sort of”
b. contractions or abbreviated forms: "can't", "doesn't", "shouldn't"
c. asking rhetorical questions: "Who could possibly disagree with that?"
2. Include CREDIBLE SOURCES that are properly CITED (in-text citation and
associated with bibliography at the end of the article)
3. Use PRECISE and ACCURATE WORDS
-In academic writing, you need to be precise when you use information, dates, or figures. Do not
use "a lot of people" when you can say "50 million people".
-In academic writing, you need to be accurate in your use of vocabulary. Choose the correct word,
for example, "meeting", "assembly", "gathering" or "conference". Or from: "money", "cash",
"currency", "capital" or "funds".
4. OBJECTIVELY written
-The main emphasis should be on the information you want to give and the arguments you want
to make rather than you. Nobody really wants to know what you "think" or "believe". They want to
know what you have studied and learned and how this has led you to your conclusions. That is why it is
written in passive voice .
-Avoid the first-person point of view, use the third-person instead.
Don't write:" In my opinion, this a very interesting study."
Write: "This is a very interesting study."
5. Provide a list of REFERENCES
6. Use HEDGING or CAUTIOUS WORDS to tone down claims
- It is often believed that academic writing, particularly scientific writing, is factual, simply to
convey facts and information. However, it is now recognized that hedging is an important feature of
academic writing.
-In other words, it is necessary to make decisions about your stance on a particular subject or the
strength of the claims you are making. However, different subjects prefer to use this minimally or
use it only depending on its need.
Language use in HEDGING

a. Introductory verbs seem, tend, look like, appear to be, think, believe,
doubt, be sure, indicate, suggest

b. Certain lexical verbs believe, assume, suggest

c. Certain modal verbs: will, must, would, may, might, could

d. Adverbs of frequency often, sometimes, usually

e. Modal adverbs certainly, definitely, clearly, probably, possibly,

perhaps, conceivably

f. Modal adjectives certain, definite, clear, probable, possible

g. Modal nouns assumption, possibility, probability

h. That clauses It could be the case that …

It might be suggested that …
There is every hope that …

i. To-clause + adjective It may be possible to obtain …

It is important to develop …
It is useful to study …
Source: www.uefap.com

Hedging: Weismann suggested that polar bears hibernate presumably to conserve the
 fat in their body.
No hedging: Weismann found that polar bears hibernate to conserve fat in their body.

Example taken from: enago.com/academy

7.Clearly STRUCTURED:mostly INTRODUCTION, BODY and CONCLUSION

*Refer to the link below for further reading about the different structures used in writing various
academic texts.

https://www.uefap.com/writing/feature/org.htm

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.

EXERCISE 1
Refer to the link below and do this activity online. Follow the instructions carefully. After doing the
activity, take a screenshot of the page and send it to me through a PRIVATE message, make sure
that your score is visible. Take note that after answering online, you need to edit and rewrite the
text following the appropriate features and characteristics of an academic text. Write it on a ½
crosswise sheet of paper to be submitted next meeting.

https://www.uefap.com/writing/exercise/feature/scecon/scecfram.htm

Prepared:
RONA A. MELGAR
EAPP Teacher