What is an Academic Text?

An academic text is a reading material that provides information that includes concepts
and theories that are related to the specific discipline.
Academic Text Samples

 Conference Papers
 Articles
 Reviews
 Thesis/ Dissertations

How does an academic text usually look like?

Structure of an Academic Text

 Introduction
 Body
 Conclusion

Why do we read an academic text?

Purposes in Reading an Academic Text

 to locate the main ideas

 to scan for information
 to identify the gaps in existing studies
 to connect new ideas to existing ones
 to gain more pieces of information
 to support a particular writing assignment
 to deeply understand the existing idea

What do authors observe in writing an academic text?

Common styles in writing an Academic Text

 States critical questions and issues

 Provide facts and evidence from credible sources
 Use precise and accurate words while avoiding jargon
 Take an objective point of view
 List references
 Use cautious language
What is academic language?
Academic language is:

 the language used in the classroom and workplace

 the language of a text
 the language assessments
 the language of academic success
 the language of power

Why is academic language so important?

Students who master academic language are more likely to:

 be successful in academic and professional settings

Students who do not learn the academic language may:

 struggle academically
 be at a higher risk of dropping out of school

Academic language in action:

Two writing samples from a university ESL student

Letter #1: Before Academic Language Instruction                                                      

Dear Mrs. Robbin,
I really not need humanity 20 writing class because since time I come to United State all my friend spea
everyone understand me and I don't’ need study language. I don’t know Vietnam language. I speak only
communication problem with my friend in dorm. My English teacher in high school key person to teach
My teacher explained to me that how important the book was for the student and persuaded me read m
English through out high school and I never take ESL. I agree that some student need class but you has
decision put me in English class. Please do not makes me lose the face. I have confident in English

Letter #2: After Academic Language Instruction

Hi Robin, I am apologize for having to send you this information at the last minute. I still need a letter. T
my qualifications, skills and accomplishments. It should be written on letterhead and addressed “To Wh
submitted with a Recommendation Form (which I will give to you tomorrow).
Please write a letter that addresses my academic achievement, seriousness of purpose, personal maturi
possess the skills necessary to adapt to a new environment. Also, please address my ability to think ana
overall maturity and my independence. Thank you so much Robin for doing this for me. I truly apprecia
have any last minute questions.

When using social, or informal, English in daily conversation, it’s possible to

communicate by using slang and without using English in a grammatically correct way
You can be understood without using:

 articles
 prepositions
 sophisticated vocabulary
 pronoun reference

Do students need to master social language first?

 In the United States, we tend to teach informal “survival” English first, and
then academic language
 However, it is possible to lay the foundation for academic language while
teaching conversation skills

Recognizing social vs. Academic language

When comparing social and academic language, students should look for the following
differences:

Informal Language Academic Language

  variety of words, more

repetition of words sophisticated vocabulary

sentences start with

  transition
Most sentences start with words, such as “however,”
“and” and “but” “moreover,” and “in
addition”

use of slang words: “guy,”

 
“cool,” and
No slang
“awesome”
What is summarizing?
Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the
main point(s). It is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original source.
Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the
source material.
When summarizing always remember:

 What is worth remembering?

 To reduce the amount of text.
 Only use the most important ideas from the text. (Focus on the key points)
 It is okay to ignore information that is not important.

Helpful hints:

 Read the entire text first.

 What is the main idea?
 What are the important details that support the main idea (evidence)?
 Summarize the text verbally first.
 Take notes, but do not write down the text word for word.
 Use your own words. You are the author.
 Use thesaurus.

What is summarizing?
Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the
main point(s). It is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original source.
Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the
source material.
When summarizing always remember:

 What is worth remembering?

 To reduce the amount of text.
 Only use the most important ideas from the text. (Focus on the key points)
 It is okay to ignore information that is not important.

Helpful hints:

 Read the entire text first.

 What is the main idea?
 What are the important details that support the main idea (evidence)?
  Summarize the text verbally first.
 Take notes, but do not write down the text word for word.
 Use your own words. You are the author.
 Use thesaurus.

Difference Between Summary and Paraphrase

Meaning

 A summary is a brief statement or account of the main points of a text.

 A paraphrase is a rewording of a text to clarify the content.

Purpose

 A summary is written in order to condense the text.

 A paraphrase is written in order to clarify the text.

Length

 A summary is shorter than the original text and paraphrase.

 A paraphrase is longer than a summary and sometimes it can be longer than
the original test as well.

Ideas

 A summary contains only the main ideas of the original text.

 A paraphrase contains all ideas and concepts of the original text.

Omission

 A summary can be selective; some points can be omitted.

 A paraphrase has to be specific.