English for Academic and Professional Purposes

Study Notes

Instruction emphasizes skills necessary for success in English-speaking academic environments.
Focuses on core subjects relevant to various academic disciplines.

Academic texts convey concepts and theories specific to a discipline, providing essential information.
They feature a formal, logical structure: Introduction, Body, Conclusion.
Cohesion and a logical flow of ideas are crucial for comprehensibility.

Arguments are presented fairly and with a narrative tone that is appropriate for academic discourse.
Disagreements are described accurately, avoiding biased or loaded language.

Unambiguous language is essential for clarity.
Clear topic sentences guide readers through the writer's reasoning.
Technical language pertinent to the field is used but should not be excessively complex or unnecessarily "big."

Citing sources correctly through footnotes or endnotes is vital to uphold academic integrity.
Acknowledgment of ideas and research is essential to prevent plagiarism.

Academic texts address complex issues, requiring advanced thinking and comprehension skills.

Opinions must be grounded in a substantial understanding of existing knowledge and debates within or related to the discipline.

Academic texts begin with a specific perspective or thesis concerning the research problem, focusing on establishing or refuting solutions.

Audience: Academic texts target academia; non-academic texts aim at the general public.
Purpose: Academic works inform with solid evidence; non-academic can inform, entertain, or persuade.
Style: Academic is formal and impersonal, while non-academic is often personal and subjective.
Structure: Academic texts follow a standard format; non-academic texts have no rigid structure.
Language: Academic language is formal and avoids colloquialisms; non-academic may use informal language.

Academic language encompasses communication skills—oral, written, auditory, visual—needed for success in educational settings.
Contrast exists between social language (simple, informal communication) and academic language, which requires sophisticated vocabulary and structures to convey complex ideas.

Formal: Avoids colloquialisms, slang, or contractions; maintains a formal tone.
Impersonal: Personal pronouns are avoided. The focus is on the research and findings, not the author.
Precise: Presents facts accurately, employs technical terms for clarity.
Objective: Information is factual and unbiased, reflecting a dispassionate analysis rather than personal feelings.