EAPP Notes 1st Quarter: Academic Language

Academic Language

• Represents essential language demands of academic settings, differing from everyday spoken English.
• Found in textbooks, classrooms, tests, and diverse academic disciplines.
• Requires a formal, objective, and technical style.

Characteristics of Academic Writing

• Generally formal and objective, avoiding personal references and feelings.
• Utilizes discipline-specific vocabulary and complex sentence structures.

Nature of Academic Text

• Written to convey information, encompassing ideas and concepts within specific disciplines.
• Common formats include essays, research papers, reports, articles, theses, and dissertations.

Structure

• Comprises three essential parts: introduction, body, and conclusion, designed for logical progression.
• Facilitates reader comprehension and argument navigation.

Tone

• Maintains a respectful attitude, presenting others' arguments fairly with an appropriate narrative tone.

Language

• Employs formal language, emphasizing third-person perspective and relevant technical terminology.

Citation

• Importance of citing sources correctly in the body and providing a reference list through footnotes or endnotes.

Complexity

• Engages with intricate issues, demanding higher-order thinking skills for understanding.

Evidence-Based Arguments

• Bases opinions on robust knowledge and engagement with both internal and external academic dialogues.

Thesis-Driven

• Centers around a distinct perspective applied to research problems, aimed at addressing specific questions.

Features of Academic Text

• Complexity: Composed of more complex language with longer words and varied vocabulary compared to spoken language.
• Objectivity: Writing maintains a neutral tone with minimal personal references.
• Precision: Accurate presentation of facts and figures is emphasized.
• Formality: Avoids colloquial language and expressions to maintain professionalism.
• Accuracy: Utilizes vocabulary with precise meanings, suitable to the subject matter.
• Responsibility: Writers must justify their claims with appropriate evidence.
• Explicitness: Clearly outlines relationships within the text for reader clarity.
• Hedging: Involves careful decision-making regarding the strength of claims made.
• Planning: Involves thorough preparation following research aligned with specific objectives.
• Organization: Ensures logical flow between sections for reader navigation.

Purposes of Reading Academic Writing

• Enables scanning for valuable information and findings on various subjects, enhancing understanding of chosen topics.