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Questions and Answers
What is an academic text?
What is an academic text?
A reading material that provides information on concepts and theories related to a specific discipline.
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an academic text?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an academic text?
Academic texts must always use complex language.
Academic texts must always use complex language.
False
What is the purpose of citing sources in an academic paper?
What is the purpose of citing sources in an academic paper?
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Match the following characteristics with their definitions:
Match the following characteristics with their definitions:
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What distinguishes academic language from social language?
What distinguishes academic language from social language?
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Academic language often uses contraction and colloquial expressions.
Academic language often uses contraction and colloquial expressions.
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In an academic text, the overall structure is typically __________.
In an academic text, the overall structure is typically __________.
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What is the audience of an academic text?
What is the audience of an academic text?
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What is meant by 'thesis-driven' in academic writing?
What is meant by 'thesis-driven' in academic writing?
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Study Notes
English for Academic and Professional Purposes
- Instruction emphasizes skills necessary for success in English-speaking academic environments.
- Focuses on core subjects relevant to various academic disciplines.
Nature and Characteristics of Academic Text
- 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.
Tone and Presentation
- Arguments are presented fairly and with a narrative tone that is appropriate for academic discourse.
- Disagreements are described accurately, avoiding biased or loaded language.
Language Use
- 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."
Citation Practices
- Citing sources correctly through footnotes or endnotes is vital to uphold academic integrity.
- Acknowledgment of ideas and research is essential to prevent plagiarism.
Complexity of Academic Text
- Academic texts address complex issues, requiring advanced thinking and comprehension skills.
Evidence-based Arguments
- Opinions must be grounded in a substantial understanding of existing knowledge and debates within or related to the discipline.
Thesis-driven Structure
- Academic texts begin with a specific perspective or thesis concerning the research problem, focusing on establishing or refuting solutions.
Differences Between Academic and Non-Academic Texts
- 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
- 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.
Characteristics of Academic Language
- 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.
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Description
This quiz explores the nature and characteristics of academic texts, focusing on the essential skills needed for success in an English-speaking academic environment. It highlights the distinctions between academic writing and other forms of literature, emphasizing structure and discipline-specific content.
