EAPP Lecture 1: Academic Texts

Academic Texts

• Academic texts are theories and concepts related to specific disciplines, providing in-depth information and logical explanations.
• They contribute to the world of knowledge by being research-based, evidenced, and objective.

Nature and Characteristics

• Organized and coherent with clear and precise language.
• Impersonal tone, avoiding first-person pronouns.
• Evidence-based writing reinforces arguments and claims.

Examples of Academic Texts

• Common academic texts include articles, theses, literature reviews, formal essays, book reports, business letters, resumes, and application letters.

Language in Academic vs Informal Contexts

• Formal Language: Structured, objective tone, and professional, primarily used in academic and professional settings.
• Informal Language: Casual, spontaneous, and often subjective, common in conversations with friends and family.

Differences in Usage

• Contractions: Formal avoids them (e.g., "could not" vs. "couldn't").
• Phrasal Verbs: More precise terminology is used in formal context (e.g., "combat" vs. "fight off").
• Slang/Colloquialism: Academic writing uses standard vocabulary instead of informal expressions (e.g., "doing their best" vs. "going nuts").

Pronouns in Writing

• Formal writing favors third-person pronouns to maintain an objective perspective.
• First-person pronouns in informal writing make it more personal (e.g., "I believe" vs. "It is believed").

Structure and Purpose of Writing

• Informal Writing: Loosely structured, focuses on personal viewpoints.
• Formal Writing: Clearly stated thesis with one argument developed at a time, presenting facts and critical evaluations.

Vocabulary Differences

• Informal writing uses everyday language, slang, and contractions.
• Formal writing incorporates technical lexicon relevant to the subject and avoids personal pronouns.

Language Differences Across Disciplines

• Words can have varied meanings based on the field of study; for instance:
  • "Plan": In education, refers to lesson planning; in engineering, it denotes construction specifications.
  • "Table": In hospitality, refers to furniture; in statistics, it signifies data representation.
  • "Vessel": In medicine, identifies a body part; in maritime context, it describes a large ship.

Summary

• Understanding the nature of academic texts, their distinctions from informal writing, and the context-specific meanings of language enhances effective communication across disciplines.