LESSON 1

Features of
Academic Writing
OBJECTIVES:
a. describe what academic writing
is;
b. identify the different features or
characteristics of academic writing;
c. apply the unique features of
academic writing.
•What is Academic Writing?
•Academic writing
-is a formal style of writing. Its
general purpose is to present
information in order to display a
clear understanding of a
particular subject
•The following are some examples of
documents where academic writing
is used:
1. Books 5. News Articles
2. Thesis 6. Research Paper
3. Abstract 7. Journals
4. Conference paper
Features of
Academic
Writing
1. Formality
- is using formal
language rather than
everyday common
language.
1.1 Choosing expanded forms over contracted
forms.
Poor examples Improved
can’t cannot
doesn’t does not
won’t will not
I’ve I have
Sentence:
The policy does not permit illegal dealings.
1.2 Choosing one verb form over two-word verbs.
Poor examples Improved
messed up damage
brought up raised
give back return

Sentence:
The business sectors raised the questions of excluding
tax payment from the dialogue.
1.3 Avoiding colloquial/trite/idiomatic expressions
Examples of colloquial/trite/idiomatic expressions
“stuff” “thing”
“a lot of” “you know what I mean”
“sort of” “kind of like”

“It’s raining cats and dogs”

Sentence:
With women, there is a great deal (instead of a lot of)
pleasure to conform to a certain physical shape.
1.4 Choosing expanded terms over their
abbreviated equivalents.
Poor examples Improved
ASAP As soon as possible
Rom.com. Romantic comedy
fyi For your information
Sentence:
The government wants it done as soon as possible.
2. Objectivity
- means that the writing must be
impersonal.
-The main emphasis
should be on the presented
information and/or arguments rather
than what you think about the issue.
2.1 Avoiding the use of personal pronouns
such as you, I and we.
Poor examples Improved
1. We need to conduct The researchers need to
the experiment. conduct the experiment.
2. You can easily forget It is easy to forget how
how different life was 50 different life was 50 years
years ago. ago.
2.2 Avoiding rhetorical questions.

Poor examples Improved

Certain measures
1. How can must be
these problems
be solved? discovered to
solve problems.
2.3 Avoiding “emotive language” that shows
biases.

Poor examples Improved

1. The investigators
were very shocked to The investigators did
see the outcome of not expect the result.
the tests.
3. Explicitness
- is the responsibility of the
writer in English to make it
clear to the reader how the
various parts of the text are
related.
 3.1 Using different signaling words
EXAMPLES
Comparison/similar ideas
 Similarly, in the same way
Contrast/opposite ideas
 But, however, on the contrary
Cause and effect
 Consequently, as a result, because

Sentence:
One should notify any change of address to the Bonds and Stocks
Office. Similarly, savings certificates should be re-registered with the
Post Office.
3.2 Citing/acknowledging sources of
ideas
Example:

Suicide is a serious public health

issue (Mann et al, 2005).
4. Caution
- is an important feature of
academic writing which is the
concept of cautious language,
often called “hedging” or “vague
language”. Caution is needed to
avoid sweeping generalizations.
4.1 Using devices such as modal verbs,
adverbs, or verbs
EXAMPLES:
Modal verbs
would, may, can, might,
should
Adverbs of frequency often, sometimes, usually
Verbs
tend, suggest, think,
believe, doubt
4.1 Using devices such as modal verbs,
adverbs, or verbs
EXAMPLES:
Modal verbs
would, may, can, might,
should
Adverbs of frequency often, sometimes, usually
Verbs
tend, suggest, think,
believe, doubt
 Other
Devices
Other Devices
Modal adverbs e.g. certainly, definitely, clearly,
probably, possibly, perhaps

Modal e.g. certain, definite, clear,

adjectives probable, possible

Modal nouns e.g. assumption, possibility,

probability
Other Devices
That clauses e.g. It could be the case that…
e.g. It might be suggested that…
e.g. There is every hope that…
To-clause + e.g. It may be possible to obtain
adjective sufficient…
e.g. It is important to develop an
active…
e.g. It is useful to study possible…
Sentence NOT observing caution
Sentence NOT observing caution Sentence observing caution

1. The commitment to It may be said that the

some of the social and commitment to some of
economic concepts was the social and economic
less strong than it is now. concepts was less strong
than it is now.

2. Nowadays the urinary Nowadays the urinary

symptoms are of a lesser symptoms seem to be of a
order. lesser order.
•Activity 1:
“EXPANDED OVER CONTRACTED”

Directions:
In your English activity
notebook, rewrite the following
sentences by expanding the
underlined contracted words.
1. We aren’t giving up.

2. Winning isn’t everything.

3. We didn’t want to have a

dog.
4. Mr. Reyes doesn’t like
snake.
5. We hadn’t played their
team before.
6. They weren’t afraid to
play our team.
7. Our class didn’t have
any good ideas.

8. Our class couldn’t

decide on a mascot.
9. Our school colors
aren’t black and gold.

10. The crowd mustn’t

forget to applaud both
teams.
•Activity 2: WATCH OUT!
•Directions: Put a check () if the
sentence observes the features
of academic writing or put an ( ×)
if it does not. Write your answers
in your English activity notebook.
1. You should cite the sources
you use properly.
2. You should avoid using
different signaling words.
3. You should use slang words
(e.g. wanna, gonna, fab).
4. You should avoid emotive
language that shows biases.
5. You should place the main
emphasis on the information.
6. You should make use of
idiomatic expressions more
often.
7. You should not demonstrate
your understanding of the
source material.
8. You should justify your
position and provide
evidence for the claims you
make.
9. You should use one word
verbs (e.g. educate) rather
than phrasal verbs (e.g. bring
up).
10. Simpler words are preferable
than complex words (e.g. make is
better than produce or
manufacture).
ANA IS SINGING WHILE TAKING
A BATH.

•ANA IS SINGING

•WHILE TAKING A BATH