English for Academic and Professional Purposes 1

Understanding Academic Text

Module 003: Understanding Academic Text

Knowing the author’s purpose and perspective in writing is

another way of understanding the content of academic text . In
reading, not only that we receive the message of the writer but we
can also adopt skills in writing. Employing strategies in reading
develops ability in writing. However, identifying an author’s
purpose and perspective in writing can be a tricky skill for some
students. This module provides ideas to identify the difference
between writing to inform, entertain, and persuade, author’s purpose
and perspectives in writing.
At the end of this module, you will be able to:

a. analyze the author’s purpose and perspective from various

text .
b. determine how the author’s purpose and perspective
affect meaning of the text.
c. Identify word meanings through structural analysis.

AUTHOR’S PURPOSE
 Is the reason that the author chose to write the passage.
 Uses verbs such as persuade, entertain, or inform, or a combination of
these.
If you know how to figure out author’s purpose you will be able to:

 Recognize bias and decide whether a source of information can be trusted.

 Understand why an author says things in a specific way or includes some facts
and not others.

AUTHORS PERSECTIVE

T author feels about the topic he or she is writing about.

Is how an
h
e
An author’s purpose is his or her objective in communicating his
or her intended message. In dealing with the author’s purpose in
writing, remember PIE .

1. To Persuade
2. To Inform
3. To Entertain

Course Module
 Writing to Inform

The primary purpose of texts that are written to inform is to

enlighten the reader or provide the reader with information
about a topic.

Examples of Texts That Are Written to Inform

 Expository Essays or Article

 Instructions or Directions
 Encyclopedias or Other Reference Texts

Example :

To Inform
Australia promotes well-being for the whole of society, which is reflected in extensive
social welfare programs for its citizens. Australians view self- importance negatively and
are wary of authority and of those who consider themselves : better than others.” Their
conversations are direct and literal, and they expect the same in return. When you conduct
business in Australia , avoid pretentious titles and overblown presentations ( which may
make you a subject for ridicule). Australians value a straightforward, modest approach.
Downplay your knowledge and expertise, and let your accomplishments speak for
themselves. Emphasis is on ability, not on rank

Writing to Persuade

In a text that is written to

persuade, the author’s primary
purpose is to compel readers to
take action, convince them of an idea
through argument, or to reaffirm
their existing beliefs.

Fig.1 An advertisement in Australia campaigning

to end the cruelty against greyhounds.
http://www.gonearethedogs.com/
Retrieved 19 July, 2017
 English for Academic and Professional Purposes 3
Understanding Academic Text

Examples of Texts That Are Written to Persuade

 Advertisements
 Campaign Speeches
 Persuasive Letters or Note

To Persuade
The school fair is right around the corner, and tickets have just gone on sale. We are
selling a limited number of tickets at a discount, so move fast and get yours while
they are still available. This is going to be an event you will not want to miss! First
off, the school fair is a great value when compared with other forms of
entertainment. Also, your ticket purchase will help our school, and when you help
the school, it helps the entire community. But that’s not all! Every ticket you purchase
enters you in a drawing to win fabulous prizes. And don’t forget, you will have
mountains of fun because there are acres and acres of great rides, fun games, and
entertaining attractions! Spend time with your family and friends at our school fair.
Buy your tickets now!

Writing to Entertain

Entertainment is defined as the action or performance made to

amuse or give enjoyment to others. It may be used to bring mystery,
suspense, comedy, or drama. Movie scripts and short stories--
especially of fictional nature-- are a few examples of where
entertainment purposes are used by the author for their audience.
What people need to realize is that writing can be a deep, painful
experience, or it can be an enjoyable experience. Either way, it is a
process that can allow reflection of the self or what the author sees.

“I was walking down the street late Thursday night. I was trying to get home since my ride did
not show up. Suddenly, two masked robbers were trying to take money from me. ‘Give me your
wallet,” said one of the robbers. The other robber pushed me down on some grass and held me
down. I shouted out for help.
I heard a yell from one of the houses and saw a light turn on. A man who looked to be in his
forties chased one of the robbers and tackled him. He was an off-duty police officer. Eventually,
the police showed up and found the other robber hiding in some bushes a block down. I was
lucky that I was not harmed badly and I got my wallet back.”

Course Module
 Why did the author write the selection? What was his or her
intention in writing the topic?

The author’s purpose is his or her reason in writing a selection.

They may have more than one purpose in writing, can be stated
explicitly or readers may have to infer the author’s intention.

When the selection provides information such as facts,

evidences or data, and the reader learned from the selection,
the author’s purpose may have been to inform.

When the reader enjoyed the selection, the purpose is to

entertain. When readers are influenced by the topic in their ways
of thinking, the author’s purposes may have been to persuade.

The Author’s Perspective

Author’s perspective is the way an author looks at a topic or the ideas being
described. The author’s perspective includes the content of the text and the
language used to present the data. Thoughtful readers are able to discern an
author’s perspective, opinions, hypotheses, assumptions, and possible bias.
Understanding the author’s perspective helps you read analytically in order to
identify the validity of information contained in the text. Try to identify words and
phrases that show an author’s strong feelings for or against a person, group, or
issue.

Questions for the author’s perspective may be:

1. What opinions or belief statements are evident in the article?

2. Why do you think the author has this particular opinion or point of
view?
3. What background information about the author does the reader have
that may help understand the writer’s perspective?
4. Would another author have a different perspective depending on
his/her background experiences?

 Understanding the author’s tone—his or her attitude toward

the subject and audience—will help you understand the
purpose and the author’s perspective.
 Authors convey purpose and perspective through their
choice of words and the impression those words create.
 Author’s purpose answer options often incorporate the
following vocabulary words: analyze, compare, contrast,
critique, evaluate, examine, investigate, characterize, define,
depict, describe, explain, identify, introduce, narrate, recount,
 English for Academic and Professional Purposes 5
Understanding Academic Text

summarize, acknowledge, advocate, assert, promote,

propose, support, condemn, criticize, oppose.

Familiarize yourself with the subtle distinctions in meaning

among these various words. For instance, to describe is to trace
out or give a pictorial account of, to explain is to make clear or
to give a reason for, and to analyze is to examine in detail.

Understanding A Word Through Structural Analysis

Structural Analysis

Cooper, J. David (2003) defined Structural Analysis as, a word

recognition skills in which knowledge of the meaningful parts of
words aids in the identification of an unknown written word.

Knowledge on structural analysis :

 aids with the pronunciation of unknown words.

 aids with the understanding of an unknown word.
 the student looks for meaningful parts of an unfamiliar word in
order to decode it or to determine what the word means.

A ) Root Words and Base Words

Root words come from another language or language structure and

cannot stand alone in English as words .

Examples:
the root - tain in the following: Maintain, sustain, pertain
- fer : Refer, confer, prefer

Base words are English words and can stand alone as words

Examples: assist/assistance under/undergo

Adding to Base or Root Words

B) AFFIXES
Letter combinations or syllables added at the beginning or end of
a word to change its meaning or part of speech.

There are two kinds of affixes: Prefixes and Affixes

1. Prefixes - Prefixes are attached to the beginning of base words or
root words to change their meaning.

Course Module
 Examples: unpleasant disorganized enable
misspell preview resend

Meanings of common prefixes

Dis - not disregard En- within

In- not inactive Un- opposite of

Re- again redo unlock
Pre- before
preview
Mis- wrong misrepresent Ir- not
irresponsible

B ) Suffixes - are attached to the end of base words or root words that
can change the word’s part of speech or its meaning.

Two types of suffixes:

a. Inflectional endings – the formation of grammatical variants of the

same word.
Example: determine determined
b. Derivational suffix – the process of forming a new word on the
basis of an existing word.
Example: happy - happiness

Common Inflectional Endings

-s dogs -es matches
-ess -ing skating
hostess
-ed -er shorter
helped
-est -ly softly
tallest

Inflectional Ending - ed:

Can be pronounced as /t/ as in baked
Can be pronounced as /ed/ as in branded
Can be pronounced as /d/ as in warmed
 English for Academic and Professional Purposes 7
Understanding Academic Text

Greek and Latin Roots and their Meaning

Astro meaning star

naut Sailor
aero means air
Aqua water
bio life
cycle Circle/ wheel
geo earth
neo new
phon sound
psych mind
scrib write
ad - means "to" or "toward".
Com - means 'together' or 'with'
Bat a Latin word meaning 'fight'.
epi means 'upon', 'over', or 'on the
outside'.
inter means 'between' or 'among'.
mis - means 'wrong'
miso - means 'to hate'

PREFIX SUFFIX BASE WORD NEW WORD

Pre - means "before" Pay means " to give Prepay means "to pay
money for" or give money for in
advance"
-ful means "filled Hope means "to wish Hopeful means "filled
with" for and expect" with hope"
- less means without" Life means "being Lifeless means
alive" "without life"
-hood means "the Child means " a young Childhood means " the
condition of" person" condition of being a
young person"
-ly means "like" Friend means "one Friendly means "like
attached by affection" one attached by
affection"
-ist means "doer or Art means "skill of Artist means "one who
believer" creating" does something very
well" or "one who uses
a skill to create"
-able means " can or Trace means "to follow Traceable means " able
able to" a path" to be followed"

Course Module
 Re - means "again" New means "made Renew means "to make
fresh or made fresh again"
recently"
-er means "one who" Drive means "to Driver means "one
operate a car" who drives"

C )Compound Words - Compound words are a combination of two

words.

 The new word must keep the pronunciation of the two original
words in order to be considered a compound word.

 The new word contains some sense of meaning connection with

one or both of the original words.

Examples: roadway, classroom, bookstore

Glossary

Affixes - are syllables added to the base form or root word

that change the meaning of a newly formed word.
Base form - are English words and can stand alone as words
Compound Words – two words combined to form a new
word.
Derivational suffix – a syllable added to form a new word
and opens a word for further addition.
Inflectional endings – a syllable added to the base word
which stops the word for further addition.
Root words - come from another language or language
structure and cannot stand alone in English as words .
Structural Analysis – understanding the meaning of a word
by analyzing the meaning of the parts of a word.
 English for Academic and Professional Purposes 9
Understanding Academic Text

References and Supplementary Materials

Books

Villamin, A. et al ( 1994). Innovative Strategies in Communication Arts.

Quezon City. Phoenix Publishing

Hartman, P.(2014) Interactions Access Reading and Writing, Mosaic 1, 6e.New

York. McGraw-Hill

Online Supplementary Reading Materials

Chapter 7: Analyzing the Author's Purpose and Technique

https://writing.colostate.edu/textbooks/informedwriter/chapter7.pdf
Retrieved 23 April, 2017

Online Instructional Videos

Author's Purpose: Definition & Examples

http://study.com/academy/lesson/authors-purpose-definition-examples.html
Retrieved 18, July 2017

How to Analyze the Purpose of a Text

http://study.com/academy/lesson/how-to-analyze-the-purpose-of-a-
text.html. Retrieved 18, July 2017

Course Module