DIFFERENTIATING LANGUAGES

USED IN ACADEMIC TEXTS

English for Academic Professional Purposes
 Academic Writing
• is formal, objective, and technical. It is formal by
avoiding casual or conversational language, such as
contractions or informal vocabulary. Also, it is impersonal
or objective by avoiding direct reference to people or
feelings, and instead focusing on factual information. It is
technical by using vocabulary specific to the discipline.
Different disciplines also have different styles and
structures of writing. For example, some disciplines,
such as in the humanities, expect longer paragraphs,
which include topic sentences to show how your
argument is structured. Other disciplines, for example in
the sciences, expect short paragraphs, with no topic
sentences, which are denser in information
 ACADEMIC TEXT: How is this different
from common, creative text?
• An academic text is a reading material that provides
information which include concepts and theories that
are related to the specific discipline. Academic writing
in English is linear which means it has one central point
or theme with every part contributing to the main line
of argument, without digressions or repetitions
 Creative Text

• a creative text aims to entertain, an academic text aims

to inform, to argue a specific point, and to persuade. Its
structure requires sophisticated use of language. our
tasks will include writing for assignments, exams, and
reports. There is an expected quality in your use of
language and structure of texts.
 Five important features of language used in
academic texts:
Formality reflects the dignified standpoint of
your writing as a member of the academic
community. This means that since your audience
are fellow members of the academic community,
the language you use requires precision to make it
a “legitimate” piece of academic writing.
 Formality can be achieved through the
following ways:
1.Avoiding colloquial words and expressions such as stuff, a lot, thing.
2. Avoiding contracted forms of modals such as can’t, doesn’t,
shouldn’t. Instead, choose their expanded forms such as cannot, does
not, should not.
3. Avoiding two-word verbs such as put off, bring up, look up. Instead,
choose their formal and one-word counterpart such as postponed,
mention, admire.
4.Avoid using abbreviated forms such as
ASAP, c/o, dept. Instead, choose their
expanded terms such as as soon as possible,
care of, department.
• Objectivity in academic writing requires an impersonal manner.
The writer must distance himself from the discussion by being
impartial and factual. Objectivity can be achieved through the
following:
• 1. Avoid the use of personal pronouns such as you, I and we. Instead,
refer to the person as to their profession or role. Example: We
measured the liquid accurately. The researchers measured the liquid
accurately.
2. Avoid emotive language that shows biases and lessens
objectivity. Example: The researchers were disappointed with the
outcome of the study. The researchers did not expect the results.
3. Place emphasis on the information rather than the writer
or the reader. Example: How can we solve the problems? There
are certain methods to be discovered to solve the problems
• Explicitness allows readers to trace how the various parts of
the text are related. This can be achieved by the use of signaling
words.
Example: The government hopes to provide assistance to the
workers affected by the temporary closure of business
establishments. However, certain procedures and protocol must
be followed before a budget is released
• Caution requires a writer to avoid making
generalizations. Academic texts provide knowledge
build from proven theories and concepts. You must not
include statements which are incorrect and misleading.
• Structure in the sentences of academic texts must show a level
of complexity that reflects sophistication of an academic writer.
Combining ideas effectively, nominalization, and using passive
construction are some ways to achieve structure suitable for
academic writing
Thank You!