ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
FINALS | 2ND SEMESTER | A.Y. 2023-2024 | By: Pearl Capati
❖ Also called synopsis
❖ Aim to precisely condense a larger work and present only
the key ideas
❖ Tell the audience the gist of what has been read, listened
to, ore reviewed
❖ The way it is written depends on the expectations of a
particular discipline or field
➢ Descriptive abstract
➢ Summative abstract
❖ General rule is to condense the information into around
15% of the original length of the text
❖ In most cases, a 6,000-word research article for an
academic journal may require only 200-250 words for its
abstract
DESCRIPTIVE ABSTRACT
❖ Pique the interest if the target audience
❖ Do not give away the actual content of the material
❖ Ex: publishing companies, libraries, movie catalogues
SUMMATIVE ABSTRACT
❖ Readily present the key ideas and major findings of the
study
❖ More preferred in an academic setting
❖ Ex: research papers
❖ The abstract of a research paper usually contains 150-300
words
❖ Does not use any citations
❖ Does not include specific result statistics
❖ Last to be written
❖ Components in terms of structure:
➢ Rationale (around 20%)
➢ Research problems (around 10%)
➢ Methodology (around 20%)
➢ Major findings (around 40%)
➢ Conclusion & implications (around 10%)
❖ For non-research academic text, the precis or summary
generally condenses information into 15-30% of the original
text
❖ Achieved by getting the thesis statement of the text and the
main idea or topic sentence of each paragraph
❖ Main ideas are synthesized into one cohesive paragraph
using appropriate cohesive devices
❖ Name of the author and the title of the article are indicated
in the first sentence
1. Read the text at least twice until you fully understand its
content
2. Highlight the key ideas and phrases
3. Annotate the text
4. State the author’s name, the title of the passage, and the
main idea at the beginning sentence
5. Use words or phrases indicating that you are presenting an
abstract, precis, or summary. Reporting verbs are most
useful for this purpose
➢ Some phrases you can use are:
○ “The text reports that…”
○ “The authors claim…”
○ “The author clarifies…”
6. Write the main idea of each paragraph using your own
words. In some cases, you can write one main idea for
multiple paragraphs, particularly of a research paper
7. Never copy in verbatim (word for word) even a single
sentence from the original text
8. Synthesize the main ideas to form one paragraph. Use
appropriate transitional devices to improve cohesion
9. Refrain from adding personal comments about the text.
Stick to the ideas presented in the text
10. Edit your draft abstract, precis, or summary by eliminating
redundant ideas and making sure it contains the properties
of a well-written text
11. Compare your output with the original text to ensure
accuracy
❖ Provides an overview of the project
❖ Helps funding agencies eliminate proposals that are likely
to be disapproved
❖ Helps save time and effort for both the proponents and the
funding agencies
❖ Uses:
➢ Serves as a foundation of the full proposal
➢ Helps determine whether a certain project is
feasible or not
➢ Used to pique the interest of the potential funding
agencies
➢ Used to obtain informal feedback on the ideas
prior to preparing the full proposal
❖ Since it is a preliminary document for proposal, it shows a
preview of the improvements that the proponent would like
to have implemented
❖ Helpful in addressing social issues especially since they
aim to show solutions to tangible issues which plague
society
❖ A concept paper usually ranges from 500-2000 words and
usually divided into several parts
1. Definition
2. Explication
3. Clarification
❖ Method of identifying a given term and making its meaning
clear
❖ Main purpose is to clarify and explain concepts, ideas, and
issues by answering the question, “What does it mean?”
❖ Contains the term to be defines and the details exposition
of the term through illustrations, examples, and description
INFORMAL DEFINITION
❖ Done through a parenthetical or brief explanation
FORMAL DEFINITION INTRODUCTION
❖ Explains a term by incorporating the species, genus, and ❖ State the information about the funding agency to show
differentia that you understand its mission
➢ species = term to be defined ❖ State the mission of the agency that the proponents
➢ genus = general category of the term represent and align it to the funding agency’s mission.
➢ differentia = quality that makes the term different ❖ Also, state the year of the proponents’ agency was
from other terms in the same category established, its major accomplishments, and other details
❖ No need for parenthesis unlike informal definition that demonstrate its capability to undertake the proposed
project
EXTENDED DEFINITION ❖ Present and describe other partner agencies and why they
❖ Detailed way of defining a term are qualified
❖ Usually composed of at least one paragraph ❖ Provide reasons why the funding agency should support
❖ Incorporates various patterns of development to explain a the project
given concept
➢ e.g. formal & informal definition, comparison & RATIONALE OR BACKGROUND
contrast, narration, description, classification, ❖ State the gap in knowledge to be addressed by the project
functional analysis, process, analogy, cause & effect ❖ State the problems to be solved
❖ State the project’s significance
SIGNAL WORDS FOR DEFINITION
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
as defined for instance means to define ❖ State the goals and objectives of the project
❖ Present the methodology
for example is defined as such as to illustrate ➢ sometimes termed as Action Plan, Project Activities, or
Approach
❖ Present the timeline expressed in months and years
❖ State the benefits or anticipated outcomes
❖ Method of explanation in which sentences, verses, quotes, ❖ State how the success of outcomes will be evaluated
or passages are taken from a literary or academic work and
then interpreted and explained in a detailed way PROJECT NEEDS & COST
❖ Clearly present your thesis in the introduction and follow it ❖ Outline the main budget; include the item description and
up with a details analysis of a passage or text amount
❖ You may begin the body of the explication by analyzing and ❖ Explain or justify how the budget will be used
explaining how the text was constructed ❖ List the personnel or equipment needed for the project
❖ Explication should end with a concise conclusion by
restating your thesis and major arguments
TITLE PAGE
❖ State your research title
❖ Method of explanation in which the points are organized ❖ State your name and school
from a general abstract idea to specific and concrete ❖ State the date of submission
examples
❖ Entails the analysis of the concept by looking into the BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
examples and specifying some of its characteristics to ❖ Provide the current state of the field you are researching on
arrive at one working definition ❖ State the gap in knowledge and problems to be addressed
by the research. Provide statistics and previous studies to
SIGNAL WORDS FOR CLARIFICATION prove your claims
❖ State the reason why you want to investigate on the
after all for instance namely that is chosen topic
❖ State the theoretical and practical implications of your
as an in other put another to be specific proposed research
example words way
to clarify PRELIMINARY LITERATURE REVIEW
consider the in particular specifically ❖ Provide a theoretical framework. The theoretical framework
following to illustrate includes the theory but will guide you in conducting your
in short stated research
for example differently ❖ Provide related literature that supports your topic
❖ Provide related studies that will help you in conducting the
research or analyzing and discussing the data
❖ Provide a brief synthesis of the reviewed literature and
studies
COVER PAGE STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM / OBJECTIVES
❖ State the name of the proponents and their affiliations ❖ State your general objectives in one sentence
❖ State the addresses, contact numbers, and email ❖ State your specific research questions or objectives
addresses of the proponents
❖ State the head of the agency and his/her contact
information ABRIDGED METHODOLOGY
❖ State the date of submission ❖ Present the research design
❖ Provide the context and participants of the study
 ❖ Provide the instruments to be used acceptable
❖ Provide the data collection procedure ❖ End with a powerful closing statement such as a quotation,
❖ Provide the data analysis scheme to be used a challenge, or a question

TIMELINE
❖ Provide a timeline set in months and years 1. Choose an issue
➢ e.g. Gantt chart ➢ Debatable
➢ Current & relevant
REFERENCES ➢ Written in question form and answerable by “yes” or
❖ Provide a list of all books, journals, and other resources “no”
cited in your paper ➢ Narrow and manageable
2. Begin the writing process by conducting an in-depth
research on the issue
3. Make sure to define unfamiliar terms when you first
1. Make the cost reasonable and the methodology mention them
appropriate 4. Be aware of the various positions about the issue and
2. Clearly align the budget, methodology, and timeline with explain and analyze them objectively
one another 5. Reflect on your position and identify its weaknesses
3. Use statistics and figures when discussing the rationale for 6. Cite valid and reliable sources to establish the credibility of
the project your arguments
4. Use no more than five pages (single-spaced) excluding the 7. View the issue from a different perspective so you can
cover page. Do not overwhelm the readers with details present a unique approach
5. Never request funding for planning the proposal 8. Limit your position paper to two pages
6. Adjust your language to the intended readers. You may use 9. Analyze your target readers and align your arguments to
technical terms if readers are scholars and scientists. their beliefs, needs, interests, and motivations
However refrain from using jargon when your target 10. Summarize possible counterarguments and use various
audience are laye persons evidence and data to refute them
7. Include the overview of the budget if it is required. If not, 11. Use active voice as much as possible to achieve a dynamic
skip the budget section. In place of this, you may simply and firm tone
include the type of support you may need such as 12. Arrange your evidence logically using an inductive or
personnel, travel, communication, and equipment deductive approach
8. Be sure that basic format details, such as page numbers, ➢ INDUCTIVE - specific to general
are incorporated ➢ DEDUCTIVE - general to specific
9. Cite your references 13. Check your argument to fallacies and eliminate them
14. Use ethical, logical, and emotional appeal

❖ Presents the writer’s stand or viewpoint on a particular

issue
❖ Purpose:
➢ Outline arguments
➢ Propose a course of action
➢ Participate in a larger debate
❖ Influential and powerful
➢ Ability to change opinions and attitudes
➢ Essential tool for essential change
■ Ex: present & defend viewpoints against
decisions or rules

INTRODUCTION
❖ Grab the attention of readers
❖ Define the issue and discuss its background
❖ Provide a general statement of your position via your thesis
statement

BODY
❖ State your main arguments
❖ Provide sufficient evidence for each argument such as
statistical data, interviews with experts, and testimonies
❖ Provide counterarguments against the possible
weaknesses of your arguments

CONCLUSION
❖ Restate your position and main arguments
❖ Suggest a course of action
❖ State what makes your position superior and more