FEATURES & ASPECTS

OF ACADEMIC AND
PROFESSIONAL
LANGUAGE
 Today
's Ag
Recog enda
ni
(Infor zing Soc
ma
Acade ) vs. l
l ia
m
Langu ic (Form
age al)
As pects
Profes of Acad
sional emic
Langu and
age
 LANGUAGE
A system of spoken, signed, and/or
written communication used by humans to
express themselves.
FORMAL LANGUAGE INFORMAL LANGUAGE
Used for professional and Used when communicating,
academic purposes writing, or having conversations

with family and friends
No colloquialism and contractions

involved More casual and spontaneous

Less personal More personal

SOCIAL (INFORMAL) ACADEMIC (FORMAL)

Variety of words, more

Repetition of words
sophisticated vocabulary
Sentences start with Sentences start with transition
words, such as "however",
"and" and "but" "moreover", and "in addition"

Use of slang: "guys",

no slang
"cool"
 Aspects of
Academic and
Professional
Language
 FORMALITY
Use of language appropriate in academic
and professional settings

Follows accepted rules, forms, and

conventions of writing in a particular
community or discipline
Things to avoid to achieve
formality
Colloquial words and expressions
Contractions and abbreviations
Two- word verbs
asking questions

sub-headings, numbering, bullet-points (in

essay)
 COMPLEXITY
Use of more lexical words than
grammatical words

Shorter in length, but uses longer, more

complex words and phrases
 EXAMPLES
The participant was admitted to the scholarship
program. It came to him as a surprise.
The participant's admission to the scholarship
program came to him as a surprise.
 EXAMPLES
How much money will be invested should be
determined.

The amount of money to be invested should be

determined.
 EXAMPLES
Findings also suggest that the positive reactions of the
participants to the intervention was associated with the
new information. The information acquired was about
themselves.
Findings also suggest that the positive reactions of the
participants to the intervention was associated with
the new information that they acquired was about
themselves.
 EXAMPLES
Because the technology has improved, it's less risky
than it used to be when you install them at the same
time, and it doesn't cost so much.

Improvement in technology have reduced the risk

and high costs associated with simultaneous
installation.
 OBJECTIVITY
Emphasis should be on the information
that you want to give and the arguments
you want to make, rather than you.
Characterized by the use of third person rather
than first person.
 EXAMPLES
In my opinion, this is a very interesting
study.

This is a very interesting study.

 EXAMPLES
You can easily forget how different life was
50 years ago.

It is easy to forget how difficult life was 50

years ago.
 EXAMPLES
We should consider the impact of motivation
in student achievement.

Motivation impacts student achievement.

 IMPERSONALITY
Avoid making statements that are not
supported by examples and evidence

avoid adverbs or adjectives that tend to exaggerate

youur description.
 EXPLICITNESS
Refers to the organization of the ideas
in the text.
Shows relationship and connection of the
ideas in the text.
Indicating the source of our ideas.
 EXPLICITNESS
Academic writing demands the use of signposts that
allow readers to trace the relationship in the parts of
a study.
If you intend to show a change in your line
of argument , make it clear by using
however.
 Example

It is apparent that the government hopes to

provide assistance to poor. However, giving dole
outs to "the poorest of the poor" does not work in
the long run.
 TRANSITIONAL DEVICES
ADDING IDEAS SEQUENCE

furthermore, in addition to, first, second,

moreover, besides, first, second, finally, next, then
finally, not only... but also,
following
 TRANSITIONAL DEVICES
CONTRAST

EXAMPLE
although, but, despite, even

though, however, in contrast, in thus, illustrate,

spite of, instead, nevertheless, for example, for
nonetheless, on the contrary, on instance, provided
the other hand that, in particular
 TRANSITIONAL DEVICES
CAUSE AND EFFECT TIME PLACE

as a result, beacuse, until, as long as, here, there, at

consequently, for this later, so far, this point, below,
reason, hence, if so, when, before, beside, next to,
then, therefore, thus, after, soo, later, behind, in front,
accordingly, for this now outside, inside
purpose, thereupon, to
this end
 TRANSITIONAL DEVICES
GENERALIZATION COMPARISON ASSERTION OR REFERENCE


OPPOSITION

commonly, and, similarly,

as seen in
generally, in likewise, in like no doubt, surely, Table 1, as
general, for the manner, in the of course, mentioned,
most part, on the same way, also, certainly, in as stated
whole, usually, in the same fact, without a previously
typically manner doubt
 SUMMARY WORD
a catch-all noun that functions as
a lexical tie between sentences

Follows the pattern:

This/These + summary word
 EXAMPLES
The school decided to use English as a medium of instruction in
Literature classes. This decision was met with negative reactions
from the faculty.
The study revealed that the scores in reading comprehension
did not increase after using the approach. This finding
resulted in changes in certain policies in the teaching of
reading.
 HEDGING
Expresses tentativeness and possibility in
communication
cautious or vague language
Enables you to express a perspective on claims
that have not been acclaimed yet by others.
Academy, E. (2022b, May 3). What Is Hedging in Academic Writing? Enago Academy. https://www.enago.com/academy/hedging-in-
academic-writing/
 REASONS FOR HEDGING
When there are exceptions to the findings or the results are
inconclusive
When they are sure about what they are saying but want to appear
more modest or show deference to their readers or colleagues.
When they want to open up possibilities for discussions
 LANGUAGE USED IN HEDGING
INTRODUCTORY CERTAIN CERTAIN ADVERBS OF
VERBS LEXICAL MODAL FREQUENCY

VERBS VERBS

seem, tend, look

often,
like, appear to be, believe, will, must, sometimes,
think, believe, assume, would, may, usually
doubt, be sure, suggest might, could
indicate, suggest
 LANGUAGE USED IN HEDGING
MODAL VERBS & THAT CLAUSES TO-CLAUSE +
ADJECTIVES MODAL NOUNS
ADJECTIVE


it could be the

certainly, definitely, assumption, case that... it may be possible

clearly, probably, it might be
possibility, suggested to obtain...
possibly, perhaps, probability it is important to
conceivably that...

develop...

it is useful to
certain, definite, There is every
clear, possible, hope that... study...
probable

 EXAMPLE
In both cases, if the policy stipulates the use of either English of
Filipino, the faculty, staff, and students will not support it

In both cases, if the policy stipulates the use of either English of

Filipino, this might not gain a strong support from the faculty,
staff, and students.
 EXAMPLE
There certainly are cases where this would seem to have been the
only possible method of transmission.

There are cases where this would have been the only possible
method of transmission.
 PRECISION
specifying information, dates or figures

Do not use 'a lot of people' when you can say

'31 million people'
 EXAMPLE
The volatile oily liquid beta-chloro-beta-ethyl sulphide was first
synthesized in 1854, and in 1887 it was reported to produce
blisters if it touched the skin. It was called mustard gas and was
used at Ypres in 19I7, when it caused many thousands of
casualties.
 ACCURACY
Sentences are free from grammatical
errors
Correct and appropriate words
 References
Teacher Kat. (2021, March 30). Lesson 2: Features and Aspects of
Academic and Professional Language | EAPP [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyuuBjXAJBA

What are the Characteristics of Formal and Informal Writing With

Example. (2022, July 21). Education Summary.
https://educationsummary.com/lesson/what-are-the-characteristics-of-
formal-and-informal-writing-with-example/

Academy, E. (2022b, May 3). What Is Hedging in Academic

Writing? Enago Academy.
https://www.enago.com/academy/hedging-in-academic-writing/

Valdez, P. (2016). English for Academic & Professional Purposes.

The Aspects of Professional and Academic Language (pp 8-9).
Phoenix.