Lecture 1

 Academic Text
The three-part essay structure
 IMRaD structure

Prepared by:

JULIET MONREAL-COYOCA
TEACHER III
DR. JOSE P. RIZAL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
 PRETEST

• TRUE OR FALSE
• Directions: Write T if the statement is correct and F if it is wrong. Write your answer in your notebook.

1. Formality in academic writing requires precision to make a legitimate piece of writing.

2. Writing is a form of communication that is shaped by the following factors: topic, role, and audience.

3. The use of personal pronouns such as I, you, and we is acceptable in academic writing.

4. “How can these problems be solved?” is an example of a critical question.

5. Because is an example of transitional device that expresses cause and effect.

6. An abstract is a summary of a novel.

7. The conclusion is the section that summarizes the main points of the essay.
8. A summary is a condensed form of a text which is usually half of the original material.

9. To introduce a topic in an essay, the writer must be able to explain its details.

10. A research paper contains background of the study, body and recommendations.
J. Description of Methods used to Carry out the Research
 What is an Academic Text?
• defined as critical, objective, specialized texts written by experts or
professionals in a given field using formal language. This means that
academic texts are based on facts with solid basis. Academic writing,
therefore, is generally quite formal, objective (impersonal) and technical.
• It is formal by avoiding casual or conversational language, such as
contractions or informal vocabulary. It is impersonal and objective by
avoiding direct reference to people or feelings, and instead emphasizing
objects, facts and ideas.
 Continuation…

• It is technical by using vocabulary specific to the

discipline. To be a good academic writer, you will need
to learn the specific styles and structures for your
discipline, as well as for each individual writing task.
 Group Task:

Text A.
Why Do they Say that Our English is Bad
(An Excerpt)
Grace M. Saqueton
In a paper titled, “Why Does They Say That Our Sentences Is Wrong When
We Knows English? An Analysis of the Common Errors’ of Freshmen
Compositions,” Saqueton (2008) identified some of the common errors
found in the essays of the first year college students. She provided
explanations using error analysis, language acquisition theories, and
Fairclough,s paradigm on the appropriacy of “appropriateness,” as to what
caused the “errors” . This is in the hope of helping English teachers develop
teaching materials and devise teaching strategies that are appropriate for
Text B.
Mother Tongue
(an excerpt)
Amy Tan
I am not a scholar of English or Literature. I cannot give you much more than
personal opinions on the English language and its variations in this country or others.
I am a writer. And by the definition, I am someone who has always loved language. I
am fascinated by language in daily life. I spend a great deal of my time thinking about
the power of language- the way it can evoke emotion, a visual image, a complex idea,
or a simple truth. Language is the too, of my trade. And I use them all-all the
Englishes I grew up with.
 Text C
• The bald eagle, Haliaeetus
The eagle is the noblest bird. This
large and awesome creature perches
on the highest cliffs, scanning the
earth below. Against the sun, he
presents a dignified and formidable
silhouette, in full command of his
word from his solitary perch. On
sighting his prey, he dives with swift
and deadly accuracy, sure and self-
reliant. The eagle majestic demeanor,
independence, pride and spirit
symbolize American values. (Lannon,
1987)
Text D
leucocephalus, is known for its snow
white head. One of the sea eagle, it nests
along fresh or salt waters in polar regions
of the northern hemisphere. In recent
years, The number of bald eagles has
been much reduced, and they are now
most numerous in Alaska.
The adult is blackish brown, with a
snow-white head and tail . The bald eagle
has unfeathered feet and toes. It is 30to40
inches long and has a wingspan of
6to8feet. It feeds mainly on fish.
(Lannon, 1987)
 A B C D
• Questions:
What is the text
about? (subject
or focus)

What is the
writer’s goal in
writing the text?
(purpose)

Who is the
target reader of
the text?
(audience)

Did the writer

write in a formal
or informal
manner?
( tone)