Academic reading

Features of academics texts: review

AIMS FOR TODAY´S CLASS

Tips to improve reading skills

To review main characteristics of
academic texts
To learn about different types of
words
To learn about types of
sentences
TIPS TO IMPROVE RADING SKILLS
Main types of texts
The four main types of academic writing are descriptive, analytical, persuasive
and critical. Each of these types of writing has specific language features and
purposes.
In many academic texts you will need to use more than one type. For example, in
an empirical thesis:
- you will use critical writing in the literature review to show where there is a gap
or opportunity in the existing research
- the methods section will be mostly descriptive to summarise the methods used
to collect and analyse information
- the results section will be mostly descriptive and analytical as you report on the
data you collected
- the discussion section is more analytical, as you relate your findings back to your
research questions, and also persuasive, as you propose your interpretations of the
findings.
 COMMON TYPE OF ACADEMIC TEXTS
Match
 ITEMS ACADEMIC WRITING NON ACADEMIC WRITING

Definition It´s a formal and impersonal style of writing that is It´s an informal and often subjective style of
intended for an academic audience writing that aims the mass public
Audience Academia Mass public

Purpose Inform the reader with solid evidence. Convice, Inform, entertain the readers
persuade
Style Formal and impersonal Personal, subjective

Structure Standard structure No rigid structure

Language Formal language, avoids colloquialisms Informal and casual language, may contain
colloquialisms
Citation and Contain citations and references Often do not contain citations and references
references
Examples Research articles, reviews, essays, projects, reports, Letters, magazine articles, newspaper articles,
articles in journals etc