"Text Detective" (20 minutes)

 Step 1: Divide students into small groups (3-5 members).

 Step 2: Provide each group with one academic text and one non-academic text.
 Step 3: Groups use the "Text Detective" worksheet to analyze the texts based on these categories:
o Purpose: To inform, argue, or entertain?
o Audience: Who is it written for (specialists, general readers)?
o Tone: Formal, informal, or personal?
o Structure: Organized with sections or free-flowing?
o Vocabulary: Technical, complex, or conversational?
 Step 4: Groups summarize their findings and identify which text is academic and which is non-
academic.
Group Sharing and Discussion (10 minutes)
 Each group presents their analysis to the class.
 Facilitate a class discussion:
o What makes a text academic?
o Why is it important to distinguish between academic and non-academic texts in school and daily
life?
Assessment:
 Participation in group analysis and discussion.
 Completion and accuracy of the "Text Detective" worksheet.
Extension:
Challenge students to find an example of an academic and a non-academic text at home and explain how they
differentiated between the two in the next class.
This activity combines hands-on exploration, collaboration, and critical thinking to engage students in
understanding key distinctions between academic and non-academic texts.

Note: While these texts are classified as non-academic, they are often analyzed in academic settings (e.g.,
literature courses), where essays and studies about them would be considered academic texts.
Directions: Read and understand the two excerpts carefully. After reading, write your observations by
answering the questions in the table. Then, give your reasons for each answer and be ready to present your
output before the class.

1. "This study investigates the effectiveness of online learning platforms in enhancing student
engagement in secondary education. Results suggest that students who engage with interactive
content report higher levels of participation and achievement."
Reference: Smith, J., & Thompson, M. (2021). The Impact of Interactive Learning Platforms on Student Engagement in
Secondary Schools. Journal of Educational Technology and Research, 43(2), 112-
128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jetr.2020.09.005.

2. "I believe that teaching should be more fun and engaging for students! When I was in school, I
hated boring lectures. Teachers should use games and interactive methods to make learning
exciting."
Reference: Prodigy Game Blog on innovative teaching methods. “How to Make Learning Fun for Your Students”. Retrieved
from Prodigy Game Blog.

TEXT 1 TEXT 2
What is the main goal of the text?
Who is it written for?
Is it formal or informal?
Is it organized or free flowing?
Does it use complex or
conversational language?

Directions: Read and understand the two excerpts carefully. After reading, write your observations by
answering the questions in the table. Then, give your reasons for each answer and be ready to present your
output before the class.

1. "This experiment evaluated the effect of varying nutrient concentrations on the growth of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Results indicated that yeast growth is optimal at moderate nutrient
concentrations, with growth rates declining under nutrient-deficient and nutrient-rich conditions.
Reference: Liu, H., Zhang, P., & Wang, J. (2022). Nutrient Impact on the Growth Rate of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Laboratory
Conditions. Journal of Microbial Growth and Metabolism, 34(1), 67-75. https://doi.org/10.1038/jm.2022.0002.

2. "Looking for ways to stay healthy? Try drinking green tea! It’s packed with antioxidants and has been
linked to better brain function and even weight loss. Plus, it’s a great alternative to sugary drinks."
Reference:Healthline, “11 Proven Benefits of Green Tea”. Retrieved from Healthline.

TEXT 1 TEXT 2
What is the main goal of the text?
Who is it written for?
Is it formal or informal?
Is it organized or free flowing?
Does it use complex or
 conversational language?

Directions: Read and understand the two excerpts carefully. After reading, write your observations by
answering the questions in the table. Then, give your reasons for each answer and be ready to present your
output before the class.

1. "The rise of feudalism in Europe during the Middle Ages was a response to the collapse of centralized
power following the fall of the Roman Empire. It led to the creation of localized power structures, which
profoundly impacted social, economic, and political systems in medieval Europe."
Reference:Brown, S. A. (2019). Feudalism and Social Structure in Medieval Europe. In History of Western Civilization: Volume 2 (pp.
215-240). Oxford University Press.

2. "History is an essential subject that helps us understand the world we live in. However, schools often
make it dull by focusing too much on memorization. Let’s make history classes more relatable by
connecting the past to current events."
Reference:The Guardian, Opinion piece on history education, “Why History Needs to Be More Than Just Memorization”. Retrieved
from The Guardian.

TEXT 1 TEXT 2
What is the main goal of the text?
Who is it written for?
Is it formal or informal?
Is it organized or free flowing?
Does it use complex or
conversational language?

Directions: Read and understand the two excerpts carefully. After reading, write your observations by
answering the questions in the table. Then, give your reasons for each answer and be ready to present your
output before the class.

1. "Strategic management involves setting long-term goals and determining the best course of action to
achieve them. This requires understanding both internal capabilities and external market conditions,
integrating financial analysis, and adjusting to evolving industry dynamics."
Reference: Hilton, R. W. (2008). Managerial Accounting: Creating Value in a Dynamic Business Environment. McGraw-Hill.

2. "Miss Prym looked around the bar. She had lived in the small village her entire life, and yet she always
felt out of place when discussing money. People here lived modestly, satisfied with what little they
earned. But now, with the stranger’s proposition—a gold bar that could change the village forever—she
found herself grappling with greed, morality, and ambition."
Reference:Coelho, P. (2000). The Devil and Miss Prym. HarperCollins Publishers.

TEXT 1 TEXT 2
What is the main goal of the text?
Who is it written for?
Is it formal or informal?
Is it organized or free flowing?
Does it use complex or
 conversational language?
Directions: Read and understand the two excerpts carefully. After reading, write your observations by
answering the questions in the table. Then, give your reasons for each answer and be ready to present your
output before the class.

1. “Experiments on E. coli growth in varying pH levels demonstrate that bacterial growth peaks at a
neutral pH of 7, declining sharply in more acidic or alkaline environments” (Frontiers in Microbiology,
2023).
Reference: Frontiers in Microbiology. Research article on environmental effects on bacterial growth. Retrieved from Frontiers.

2. "As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams, he found himself transformed in his bed
into a gigantic insect."
Reference: Franz Kafka, The Metamorphosis. Translated by David Wyllie. Retrieved from Project Gutenberg.

TEXT 1 TEXT 2
What is the main goal of the text?
Who is it written for?
Is it formal or informal?
Is it organized or free flowing?
Does it use complex or
conversational language?

Directions: Read and understand the two excerpts carefully. After reading, write your observations by
answering the questions in the table. Then, give your reasons for each answer and be ready to present your
output before the class.

1. "Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has shown significant efficacy in treating individuals with
generalized anxiety disorder. This paper explores the cognitive mechanisms underlying CBT's success
and offers new insights into its long-term effectiveness."
Reference: Thomas, A., & Lee, D. (2023). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders: Mechanisms and
Long-Term Outcomes. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 79(6), 1019-1035. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23255.

2. "Want to feel more confident? Try focusing on the positives. Even a small shift in thinking can help
reduce anxiety and improve your mood. It’s all about taking control of your thoughts."
Reference: Psychology Today, “Simple Ways to Reduce Anxiety and Feel More Confident”. Retrieved from Psychology Today.

TEXT 1 TEXT 2
What is the main goal of the text?
Who is it written for?
Is it formal or informal?
Is it organized or free flowing?
Does it use complex or
conversational language?
Directions: Read and understand the two excerpts carefully. After reading, write your observations by
answering the questions in the table. Then, give your reasons for each answer and be ready to present your
output before the class.

1. "The reaction rate of the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide was studied under varying temperature
conditions. It was found that the rate of reaction increased exponentially with temperature, consistent
with the Arrhenius equation."
Reference: Patel, K., & Singh, R. (2020). Temperature Effects on the Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide: Kinetic Study and
Analysis. Journal of Chemical Kinetics, 52(7), 789-796. https://doi.org/10.1002/jck.23785.

2. "A common kitchen experiment is to mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda. It creates a fizzing
reaction that looks like magic, but it’s all chemistry at work!"
Reference: Popular Science, “Fun Science Experiments to Try at Home”. Retrieved from Popular Science.

TEXT 1 TEXT 2
What is the main goal of the text?
Who is it written for?
Is it formal or informal?
Is it organized or free flowing?
Does it use complex or
conversational language?

Directions: Read and understand the two excerpts carefully. After reading, write your observations by
answering the questions in the table. Then, give your reasons for each answer and be ready to present your
output before the class.

1. "The study analyzes the effects of urbanization on social structures, examining how rapid population
growth influences community dynamics, inequality, and access to resources."
Reference: Thompson, J., & Wright, D. (2018). Urbanization and Social Structures: A Sociological Perspective. Journal of Sociology and
Urban Studies, 29(3), 58-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/jsus.2018.029.

2. "The streets of the old town were bustling with life, yet she walked in silence, caught between the world
she had known and the new, uncertain future ahead. History was unfolding, but she felt she could not
be part of it."
Reference: Allende, I. (1985). The House of the Spirits. Dial Press.

TEXT 1 TEXT 2
What is the main goal of the text?
Who is it written for?
Is it formal or informal?
Is it organized or free flowing?
Does it use complex or
conversational language?
Directions: Read and understand the two excerpts carefully. After reading, write your observations by
answering the questions in the table. Then, give your reasons for each answer and be ready to present your
output before the class.

1. "Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. This research analyzes the
environmental, economic, and social impacts of rising global temperatures and suggests strategies for
mitigation and adaptation."
Reference: Green, T., & Harper, L. (2022). The Impact of Climate Change on Global Ecosystems. Environmental Studies Review,
48(1), 45-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/esr.2022.

2. "On a walk through the Alaskan tundra, it’s impossible not to notice how the land itself is changing.
Permafrost is melting, causing the ground to sink. Where ice once dominated, there are now small
ponds. Locals talk about seasons arriving earlier and animals behaving differently, signs that the old
patterns are breaking."
Reference: Kolbert, E. (2006). Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change. Bloomsbury Publishing.

TEXT 1 TEXT 2
What is the main goal of the text?
Who is it written for?
Is it formal or informal?
Is it organized or free flowing?
Does it use complex or
conversational language?

Directions: Read and understand the two excerpts carefully. After reading, write your observations by
answering the questions in the table. Then, give your reasons for each answer and be ready to present your
output before the class.

1. "This paper investigates the role of transformational leadership in fostering innovation within
organizations. The study reveals that leaders who prioritize communication, empower employees, and
encourage risk-taking significantly enhance the organization's ability to adapt to market changes."
Reference: Bass, B. M., & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational Leadership. Psychology Press.

2. "As Rachel watched the bustling market, she wondered if her idea for a sustainable clothing line could
survive in such a competitive environment. She had the designs, the passion, and the pitch, but one
question loomed over her—could she find the right investors to turn her dream into reality?"
Reference: Kwan, K. (2018). Rich People Problems. Doubleday.

TEXT 1 TEXT 2
What is the main goal of the text?
Who is it written for?
Is it formal or informal?
Is it organized or free flowing?
Does it use complex or
conversational language?