Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of an academic text?
What is the primary purpose of an academic text?
- To provide personal opinions
- To inform, argue a point, and persuade (correct)
- To describe events chronologically
- To entertain the reader
Which feature is characteristic of academic texts?
Which feature is characteristic of academic texts?
- Inclusion of personal anecdotes
- Citing credible sources (correct)
- Incorporating humor
- Use of colloquial language
What is a common example of an academic text?
What is a common example of an academic text?
- A blog post
- A research paper (correct)
- A newspaper article
- A novel
Which of the following language features should be avoided in academic texts?
Which of the following language features should be avoided in academic texts?
How should phrasal verbs be treated in academic writing?
How should phrasal verbs be treated in academic writing?
Which academic discipline would focus on studying human behavior?
Which academic discipline would focus on studying human behavior?
Which of the following is NOT a feature of a well-written academic text?
Which of the following is NOT a feature of a well-written academic text?
In which branch would you study financial markets?
In which branch would you study financial markets?
What is the primary purpose of using formal language?
What is the primary purpose of using formal language?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of informal language?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of informal language?
What distinguishes academic writing from other types of writing?
What distinguishes academic writing from other types of writing?
Which of the following best defines academic language?
Which of the following best defines academic language?
In which of the following situations would informal language be appropriate?
In which of the following situations would informal language be appropriate?
What is a primary requirement for academic writing to be considered effective?
What is a primary requirement for academic writing to be considered effective?
Which of the following elements is NOT typically part of academic language?
Which of the following elements is NOT typically part of academic language?
Why is understanding academic language important for students?
Why is understanding academic language important for students?
What is the main reason for avoiding first person pronouns in formal writing?
What is the main reason for avoiding first person pronouns in formal writing?
What is the primary focus of academic writing as described?
What is the primary focus of academic writing as described?
Which of the following is a correct example of an acronym?
Which of the following is a correct example of an acronym?
Which of the following pronouns is NOT a first person pronoun?
Which of the following pronouns is NOT a first person pronoun?
What should be done when an acronym is first used in an essay?
What should be done when an acronym is first used in an essay?
What is the objective of using a more communicative approach in language teaching and testing?
What is the objective of using a more communicative approach in language teaching and testing?
What is the purpose of hedging language in academic writing?
What is the purpose of hedging language in academic writing?
Which statement reflects a more formal academic style?
Which statement reflects a more formal academic style?
Which of the following is an example of a modal auxiliary used for hedging?
Which of the following is an example of a modal auxiliary used for hedging?
Why might a reader assume that an idea presented is the author's own?
Why might a reader assume that an idea presented is the author's own?
What modification is made to form the plural of an acronym?
What modification is made to form the plural of an acronym?
Which of the following statements indicates a lack of objectivity?
Which of the following statements indicates a lack of objectivity?
What is implied about academic text in general?
What is implied about academic text in general?
Which of the following words is an example of an epistemic verb used for hedging?
Which of the following words is an example of an epistemic verb used for hedging?
Which adjective indicates a high level of uncertainty?
Which adjective indicates a high level of uncertainty?
What aspect of language proficiency is a focal point of debate among researchers?
What aspect of language proficiency is a focal point of debate among researchers?
What is the purpose of using hedging in academic writing?
What is the purpose of using hedging in academic writing?
Which of the following lists contains indicators of degree and frequency?
Which of the following lists contains indicators of degree and frequency?
Which statement best describes formal language in academic writing?
Which statement best describes formal language in academic writing?
In academic writing, how is the term 'double hedges' best defined?
In academic writing, how is the term 'double hedges' best defined?
Which of the following is an example of a 'quadruple hedge'?
Which of the following is an example of a 'quadruple hedge'?
What is an 'if' clause typically used for in academic writing?
What is an 'if' clause typically used for in academic writing?
Which of these phrases indicates an academic viewpoint?
Which of these phrases indicates an academic viewpoint?
Which of the following best represents informal language?
Which of the following best represents informal language?
Study Notes
Language Basics
- Language is a communication system enabling thoughts, ideas, and emotions to be expressed through symbols.
- Symbols can be spoken words, written characters, or gestures recognized by those sharing the same language.
Types of Language
-
Informal Language:
- Casual and spontaneous; used in personal communication (friends/family).
- Common in personal emails, texts, and some business correspondences; carries a personal tone.
-
Formal Language:
- Required for professional and academic writing, such as university assignments.
- Avoids colloquialisms, contractions, and first-person pronouns like “I” or “We”; maintains a less personal tone.
Academic Writing and Language
- Academic writing is a formal genre within formal language, requiring thorough preparation.
- Uses academic language, essential for identifying a text as academic.
- Academic language often appears in textbooks, exams, and scholarly discussions.
Academic Language Components
- Comprises various formal skills including vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and syntax.
- Supports students in acquiring necessary knowledge and academic skills.
Characteristics of Academic Texts
- Initiates with questions or problems, aiming to inform, argue, or persuade.
- Composed by field experts, featuring credible information and references.
- Well-structured with properties like organization, unity, coherence, and proper language mechanics.
Academic Disciplines
- Academic texts vary across disciplines, which can include:
- Business: Accounting, economics, marketing.
- Humanities: Art, literature, philosophy.
- Natural and Applied Sciences: Biology, engineering, mathematics.
- Social Sciences: Anthropology, history, political science.
Main Language Features in Academic Texts
- No Contractions: e.g., "Improvements cannot be..." instead of "Improvements can't be..."
- Avoid Phrasal Verbs: e.g., "The balloon was inflated..." vs. "The balloon was blown up..."
- No Colloquialisms: e.g., "The crowd was very rowdy..." rather than "The mob was very rowdy..."
- No First-Person Pronouns: e.g., "Students were asked..." instead of "I asked students..."
- Objectivity: Emphasizes information and arguments, minimizing personal references.
Acronyms and Initialisms
- Use acronyms for ease; define when first used.
- e.g., NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
- Add 's' for plural forms of acronyms without an apostrophe.
Hedging and Cautious Language
- Hedging softens claims with cautious expressions, reflecting uncertainty.
- Includes modal verbs and nouns indicating probability or assumption (e.g., "may," "likely," "assumption").
Conclusion
- Language serves different purposes: informal for casual contexts, formal for academic and professional use.
- Academic writing necessitates specific language skills, remaining objective and well-structured.
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Description
This quiz focuses on distinguishing the language used in academic texts across various disciplines. By the end, learners will understand how language functions as a system of communication. Test your knowledge and comprehension of academic language.
