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 ORMOC CITY INSTITUTE OF
TECHNOLOGY
F. ABLEN ST. COGON ORMOC CITY, LEYTE

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC

AND
PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES 12

QUARTER 1– MODULE 1
(Academic Language)

STEPHANIE D. ARIAS
TEACHER

NAME OF STUDENT:

v
 WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

Good day, dear learner!

This module is solely prepared for you to access and to acquire lessons befitted in
your grade level. The exercises, drills and assessments are carefully made to suit your
level of understanding. Indeed, this learning resource is for you to fully comprehend the
Language Used in Academic Texts from various Disciplines. Independently,
you are going to go through this module following its proper sequence. Although
you are going to do it alone, this is a guided lesson and instructions/directions on how
to do every activity is plotted for your convenience.

Using this learning resource, you are ought to differentiate language used in
academic texts from various disciplines (CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-Ia-c-2), as
inculcated in the K-12 Most Essential Learning Competencies.

At the end of this module, you are expected to achieve the following objectives:

A. Differentiate academic texts from non-academic texts;

B. Examine an academic text to establish its nature and
characteristics;
C. Recognize the characteristics of language used in academic texts;
D. Analyze academic texts according to its language use; and
E. Evaluate academic texts based on its use of language.

WHAT I KNOW

Directions: Fill out the table to differentiate academic text from non-academic text. Choose your answers from the b

Formal To inform and/or validate idea

To entertain Subjective

Related literature Research papers, Reports

Contains slang and colloquialisms Diaries, Informal essays

1
 Introduction-Body-Conclusion Objective

No fixed structure Public

Scholarly audience Everyday events

Characteristics Academic Text Non-academic Text

Audience

Purpose

Structure

Language

Style

Source of content

Examples

II.Directions: Read the following sentences and check the box that best fit the category.

FORMAL
My essay will make it clear that the use of marijuana as a medicinal drug is not good.
The present paper will clarify that the use of marijuana as a medicinal drug proves
to be unorthodox.

IMPERSONAL
The researchers found out the leading factor of students’ absenteeism.
My classmates and I found out the leading factor of students’ absenteeism.
 PRECISE
Approximately 75% of the group agreed to join the rally. Around
half of the group agreed to join the rally.
OBJECTIVE
In my opinion, the method involved to obtain the needed information was
frustrating.
The method involved to obtain the needed information proved to be challenging.

passages below. Then, identify whether each passage can be an academic text or non-academic text. Write AT

1. Just as the sun rises and peeps from the east, and as the roosters of the
neighborhood crow, the man gathered his be longings and left his house.

2. When synthesizing information, a new understanding about a topic is

developed by using information from more than one source.

3. Depression is one of society’s prevailing issues that requires attention.

One’s mental health is as important as one’s physical health.

4. I want to obtain answers to the questions that are swarming in my mind.

But, it seems everything in life is just a cycle of questions with no answers
in sight.

5. He saw the pure crystal water turned crimson red as the monster
devoured the victim. He cried for help but it was too late.

6. Statistics show that the higher percentage of the population prefer dogs
over cats.

7. Yesterday was a beautiful day. It was warm enough to feel comfortable in

shorts. A nice breeze made the air feel fresh. The flowers vibrated with
color. It felt good to be alive.

8. Antibiotics are prescribed to fight infections. Sore throats,

earaches, and other symptoms may be caused by the growth of
 bacteria in your body. As the antibiotics fight to destroy the bacteria, the
bacteria struggle to become stronger.

B. Directions: Read and examine an excerpt of a book review written by

a Grade 11 student for her Reading and Writing class.

...I don’t think that the author of the book gave justice to the characters. I
was appalled with the idea that Sienna died at the end. It was heart-
breaking. I cried my heart out as I finished reading the book. The book
became my new favorite and I don’t think I will be able to love another book
as much as I love this one...

Questions:
Is her choice of words appropriate for a book review? Why or why
not?
Point out 3 words that are inappropriate. Suggest a more appropriate alternative for each word.
What do you think should she do to improve her writing task?

A. Directions: Carefully read the text below and answer the questions that follow.

Using celebrities in advertising dates back to the late nineteenth century, and
this common advertising practice has drawn a considerate amount of academic and
practical attention (see Erdogan 1999 for an extensive review). Most academic
investigations of celebrity endorsement have been contextualized in the realm of source
credibility and attractiveness models, and suggest that celebrities exert their influence on
consumers through perceived attributes such as expertise, trustworthiness, attractiveness,
familiarity and likeability (Ohanian 1990, 1991).

Another stream of research on celebrity endorsement, which is labeled the “match-up

hypothesis,” has examined the fit or match between a celebrity and the product being
endorsed, and maintains that celebrity endorsement is more effective when the images or
characteristics of the celebrity are well matched with the endorsed products (Kahle and
Homer 1985; Kamins 1990; Kamins and Gupta1994; Till and Busier 2000). In similar vein,
McCracken suggests that a “celebrity who best represents the appropriate symbolic
properties” of the product
should be selected, thus highlighting the importance of the cultural meanings of the
celebrities in the endorsement process. Celebrities embody a collection of culturally
relevant images, symbols, and values. As images of the celebrities become associated with
products through endorsement, the meanings they attach to the products are transferred to
consumers through purchase and consumption (McCracken 1989, 316). Therefore, the
practice of celebrity endorsement should be closely related to the cultural context in which
the images of celebrities are formed and individual celebrities are selected to be linked with
particular products.

For advertising practitioners, employing an appropriate celebrity endorser to

promote a product is important but a difficult task. For instance in the theoretical literature,
professionals at advertising agencies and their client companies in the United States
and the United Kingdom cited celebrity attributes such as image, trustworthiness,
and familiarity, as well as the fit between the celebrity and the product, as important factors
for choosing the appropriate endorsers (Erdogan, Baker, and Tagg 2001; Miciak and
Shanklin 1994).

Other highly ranked decision factors include celebrity/target-audience congruence,

costs of securing the celebrity, the celebrity’s risk of controversy, and the celebrity’s prior
endorsement. As suggested by Erdogan, Baker and Tagg (2011), the perceived importance
and the actual use of endorser selection criteria may vary from culture to culture.
Differences in the entertainment industry and agency business, and more broadly, in the
cultural environments are likely to influence the execution of the celebrity endorsement
strategy across countries.

Arguing for standardized advertising across countries, some contend that consumer
demands and tastes have become similar on a global scale (Levitt 1983; Taylor and
Johnson 2002) and that using celebrities with worldwide recognition in advertising is
an effective means of overcoming cultural difficulties (Erdogan 1999; Kaikati 1987; La
Ferla 2001). Others claim that despite some observed convergence among consumers
around the world, fundamental values still remain divergent across cultures. Therefore,
international advertisers cannot assume that the same advertising technique should be
uniformly applied or that it will be equally effective in different counties (De Mooji 1998,
2003; Onkvisit and Shaw 1999). Yet research on similarities and differences between
cultures in the use of celebrity endorsement in advertising is scarce, despite the potential
cultural influence on this technique as speculated in the literature.

Seijung Marina Choi, Wei Na Lee, Hee-Jung Kim, LESSONS FROM THE RICH AND FAMOUS: A
Cross-cultural Comparison of Celebrity Endorsement in Advertising. Journal of Advertising.
Summer 2005, vol. 34, Iss 2.

Questions:
1. What is the tone and purpose of the text?
 2. Who is the target audience of the text?
3. How would you describe the language used in the text?
4. What is the impact of citing references in a text?
5. How does the structure of the text help you to understand more about celebrity
endorsement in different countries?

B. Directions: Match the informal language vocabulary with the more appropriate formal options.

1. Look at A. confirm, determine, verify

2. Show _ B. demonstrate, indicate, illustrate
3. Begin _ _ C. consider, monitor, analyze
4. Make sure _ D. commence, initiate, undertake
5. Go over E. revise, review

C. Directions: Put a check before the phrases that are appropriate for academic texts.

1. We used a standard graphical representation to…

_2. A survey of the literature revealed that…
_3. I researched the questions to the problems…
_4. The results indicate that…

D. Directions: : Pick out all the precise words from the box on the left
and write them to the box on the right.

Twice the size of… Julienned vegetables

A smaller part of the popula- tion…
Police stake out Very hungry Not allowed
 E. Directions: Underline the subjective wording on the text below.

The results are as I expected. Majority of the class agreed to join the field trip.
I think the students agreed to join because of the low projected expenses of the field
trip destination. Personally, I am glad that most of us can join the field trip.

Nature and Characteristics of an Academic Text

An academic text is a reading material that provides information which include

concepts and theories that are related to the specific discipline.

The following are considered as academic texts: Research Paper, Conference

Paper, Feasibility Study, Thesis/Dissertation, Reviews, Essay, Academic
Journals, Reports.

Structure

Unlike fiction or journalistic writing, the overall structure of an academic text is

formal and logical (Introduction, Body, Conclusion). It must be cohesive and possess a
logically organized flow of ideas; this means that various parts are connected to form a
unified whole.

Tone

The overall tone 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 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
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.

Characteristics Academic Text Non-academic Text

Audience Academia Mass public

Inform the readers with Inform, entertain or

Purpose
solid evidence persuade the readers

Personal, impressionistic,
Style Formal and impersonal emotional or subjective

Structure Standard structure No rigid structure

Formal language avoids Informal and casual

Language
colloquialisms language, may contain

Shared historical events or

Personal life and
Subject/Content literature or other forms of
everyday events
knowledge
 Academic Language
Academic Language refers to the oral, written, auditory, and visual language
proficiency required to learn effectively in schools and academic programs. It is also the
language used in classroom lessons, books, tests, and assignments. It is the language that
students are expected to learn and achieve fluency in.

Why is academic language so important?

- Students who master academic language are more likely to be

successful in academic and professional settings

What is difference between academic language and social language?

Social language is the simple, informal language we use when talking face to
face with family members and friends. It allows us to use contemporary or slang terms
like “cool,” “awesome,” or “dude.” We can also communicate feelings, needs, and wants
using symbolic hand gestures for drink, eat, hot, cold, hurt, or tired. Social language also
includes writing emails, friendly letters, and texts or retelling stories.

Academic language is different from everyday social language. It is the

vocabulary students or adults must learn to succeed in the classroom or in the workplace.
We use academic language to describe and comprehend complex ideas, process higher-
order thinking, and understand abstract concepts. Academic language is what students
read in textbooks and on tests and what they hear during instruction in the classroom.
Students with limited or low academic language skills are more than likely to have low
academic performance in classroom settings. Source: www.handyhandouts.com

Some of the differences between social and academic language that students should
look for include:

Social Language Academic Language

repetition of words
sentences start with “and” and “but”
use of slang: “guy,” “cool,” and
“awesome”
variety of words, more
sophisticated vocabulary
sentences start with transition
words, such as “however,”
“moreover,” and “in addition”
No slang
 CHARACTERISTICS OF
ACADEMIC
LANGUAGE
FORMAL It should not be conversational and casual. Avoid colloquial
and idiomatic expressions, slang, and contractions.
X dig in
X cup of tea
X dude
X don’t
IMPERSONAL Do not refer to yourself as the performer of actions. Do not use
personal pronouns.
For example:
“It is commonly said that”… instead of “Many of my friends
and colleagues say that…”
“Research revealed that…” instead of “I discovered that”

PRECISE The facts are presented accurately. The choice of words are
appropriate. The use of technical terms to achieve precision is
applied.

For example:
“85% of the population”, “The results are okay
(satisfactory).”, asphyxiation (medical term)

OBJECTIVE It is unbiased, based on facts and is not influenced by

personal feelings.
For example:
“The essay on… is distressing.” instead of “I do not like the
essay”

Directions: Read the sample academic texts below and identify the errors in the use of the academic

1. I decided to write an extended essay on how hip-hop works as protest of the lower
classes because I think the music is cool and really gets people dancing, inspiring those
people who wouldn’t normally think there’s any point in being
10
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 against anything to listen to the message. Being an enthusiastic hip-hop dancer myself, I
really wanted to find out some more about this.

2. Biology has always been a passion of mine. Ever since I was searching for frogspawn
in my grandparent’s pond as a four-year-old and annoying my mom with a battery of jam
jars on the window sill in which I was trying to raise tadpoles I have been fascinated with
observing nature in detail. Even in English, reading Death of a Naturalist Seamus Heaney,
I found myself thinking up an experiment to do with dragonflies and fireflies. I have a fish
tank at home with three different sorts of fish. I've noticed that they all respond differently
when I feed them. I'm wondering what else is different in their behavior so, in this
extended essay, I'm going to find out how they react to light.

3. When I go into a supermarket there is always gentle background music playing,

although in the clothes shop I like it is always pop music. At breakfast my dad likes to
listen to Apo Hiking Society, while my little brother has rock songs on his phone and will
head bang his way through the dining area. My essay is trying to research why people rely
on certain types of music to influence their mood and how music is used in this way for
advertising. I am not sure if there is a connection and whether the music does affect, for
example, people’s shopping habits, but it will be interesting to try to find out, especially to
see if different peoples’ brains are wired differently when it comes to music.

1. 2. 3.

How can academic texts affect your life as a student?

Why is learning to appropriately use the academic language vital in uplifting your socio-economic status in life?

11
 Directions: Using the criteria, evaluate the language of the following sample of academic texts from

A. This essay intends to investigate whether there is a causal relationship between

music listened to and the mood of individuals. Additionally, it will seek to explore
whether this relationship is used in advertising to encourage people to spend money.

B. This essay on how the lyrics of hip-hop developed as a form of protest against a
society segregating the working classes based on the premise of the music having a
distinct and energizing rhythm that really inspires people to move, thereby reaching out
to audiences who wouldn’t normally believe in protest, let alone speak out in public.
Thus, the music becomes a vehicle for words of protest that can and indeed have
changed the world.

C. The researcher found out that the male population has a higher chance of being hired
compared to the females. Eighty percent of the employers stated that since females are
privileged with maternity leave, they leave their work for some time resulting to a decline
on the overall production of the company. I think this is very judgmental on the part of the
employers. It goes against the Women Empowerment Movement. I strongly urged the
employers to rethink their choices because women are great workers.

D. This essay is focused on investigating the photo tactic responses of three different
species of fish that occupy different areas of an aquarium: danios (Danio rerio), which
group near the surface of the water, black skirt tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi), which
swim in the middle of the tank, and kuhli loach (Pangio kuhlii), which swim near the
bottom of tank. It is anticipated that they will respond differently to light according to
their niche with the tank.

E. As a student, I want to understand how Multiple Intelligences Theory affect students’

learning. For example, I learn better when I listen to music while my circle of friends
learn best when they discuss the lesson together. I believe that all of us are unique. We
have our own ways to excel in school. That’s why I want to conduct a study on this
particular matter.

Characteristics of Academic A B C D E
Language

Does the text use a formal

language? (Yes/No)
 Is the language impersonal?
(Yes/No)

Are the choice of words

appropriate for an academic
text? (Yes/No)

Does the text use technical

terms? (If yes, write 1 term
found in the text./No)

Is the academic text objective?

(Yes/If No, write 2 phrases that
indicate subjectivity.)

Test I. Directions: Read each statement carefully and identify whether each statement is true or false. Write T if it

1. An academic text should clearly state its thesis, argument or

proposition.
2. It is acceptable to include one’s judgment but should be supported by
evidence.
3. Both academic and non-academic texts can be used to inform.
4. Both academic and non-academic texts employ the use of informal
language.
5. Academic texts can use first person point-of-view and include one’s
emotional attachment to the topic.
6. The language used in academic texts should be conversational.
7. Language used in academic texts employ technical terms specific for
each field and/or discipline.
8. Academic language should be objective, precise, impersonal and formal.
9. Slangs and colloquialisms are used in academic texts.
10. Students who master academic language are more likely to be successful
in academic and professional settings.
 Test II. Directions: Using the Venn diagram, compare and contrast the characteristics of academ

ACADEMIC TEXT NON- ACADEMIC

TEXT

Test III. Directions: Read the academic texts from various disciplines and evaluate each text using the table provided

A. Infection after consumption of fresh duck blood and undercooked poultry products
has been suspected in some cases of illness. Indeed, transmission to felids was observed
after experimental feeding of infected chickens to domestic cats, and feeding tigers raw
infected chicken led to outbreaks of illness in Thai zoos, in which felid-to-felid
transmissions were also implicated. Infected birds shed high concentrations of virus in
feces. Direct intranasal or conjunctival inoculation while swimming in contaminated
water or, perhaps, inhalation or ingestion of water could have been potential modes of
transmission to some H5N1– infected patients. As for human influenza, hand
contamination from fomites and self-inoculation into the eye or upper respiratory tract
remain possible modes.

B. The number of calories burned during an exercise depends on various factors

including body weight and the type of exercise. For example, an individual weighing 59
kilograms (130 pounds) would expend roughly 500 calories per hour swimming or
playing basketball. However, this same person would burn an estimated 200 walking or
playing table tennis. In order to survive and maintain body weight, the average individual
requires approximately 2000 to 2500 calories per day. Gaining or losing weight is a
simple process. Add and subtract 7,700 calories over the course of time to gain or lose a
kilogram. Nutrition has nothing to do with it. It is all about calories.
C. Wrigley’s chewing gum was actually developed as a premium to be given away with
other product rather than as a primary product for sale. As a teenager, William Wrigley Jr.
was working for his father in Chicago selling soap that has been manu- factured in his
father’s factory. The soap was not very popular with merchants be- cause it was priced at 5
cents, and this selling price did not leave a good profit margin for the merchants. Wrigley
convinced his father to raise the price to ten cents and to give away cheap umbrellas
as a premium for the merchants. This worked successfully, confirming to Wrigley that
the use of premium was an effective sales tool.

D. As a learner-centered process to second language (L2) writing, peer response has been
widely adopted and studied since the 1990s (Hyland &Hyland, 2006). The dialogic nature
of peer response seems to foster multiple support systems (Hyland, 2000) and
communicative behaviors (Villamil & de Guerrero, 1996). L2 research has shown that peer
response can increase chances for meaning negotiation and language practice (Lockhart &
Ng, 1995; Mendonca & Johnson, 1994), encourage collaborative reading and writing (Tsui
& Ng, 2000), and promote writing revisions (Berg, 1999; Mendonca & Johnson, 1994;;
Min, 2006, 2008; Stanley, 1992). These interactive practices appear to draw upon and
enhance interactional and writing skills.

E. The results show that there is a lack of awareness in Singaporean Muslim

towards Islamic banking products and services in Singapore. However, Singaporean
Muslims, on average still accept the operation and believe that it is crucial to have more
Islamic banking in Singapore in the future. Factors of bank selection also are as indicators
to gauge which services needed to be improved so that local Muslims are attracted to set up
an Islamic banking account.

A B C D E

1.In what discipline

could this text belong
to?
2. What type of
language does the
article use?
3. Who are the target
audience of the text?

4. Is the text objective

or subjective?
5. What is the purpose
of the text?

Directions: Write a short essay on your thoughts about the use of l

References:
Electronic Files
Department of Education. Curriculum and Instruction Strand. K to 12 Most Es-
sential Learning Competencies with Corresponding CG Codes.
Department of Education. English for Academic and Professional Purposes. (2016).
Teacher’s Guide. First Edition.
Department of Education. English for Academic and Professional Purposes.
(2016). Reader. First Edition.

Online resources
Academic Language of the English-Language Arts-Higher Education. Retrieved from
https://www.pearsonhihered.com. Retrieved date June 24, 2020.
Academic Writing vs. Non Academic Writing. Retrieved from
www.diffrencebetween-com.cdn.ampproject.org. Retrieved date June 30, 2020.
Extended Essay: Formal vs. Informal Writing. Retrieved from www.libguides.westoundacademy.org
Retrieved date June 25, 2020.
Sample academic texts. Retrieved from https://portal.uea.ac.uk. Retrieved date June 24,
2020
Scarcella, R. Academic Language for English Language Learners. Retrieved from
www.colorincolorado.org. Retrieved date June 25, 2020
Spivey, B. 365 Social & Academic vocabulary– What’s the Difference? Re- trieved
from www.superduperinc.com. Retrieved date June 25, 2020.
The English Effect. Retrieved from www.britishcouncil.org. Retrieved date June
26, 2020.
Using Academic Language. Retrieved from www.monash.edu. Retrieved date June 25,
2020
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