Language in Academic Text - Lesson 1
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Questions and Answers

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?

  • Inclusion of personal anecdotes
  • Citing credible sources (correct)
  • Incorporating humor
  • Use of colloquial language

    • 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?

    <p>Use of contractions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How should phrasal verbs be treated in academic writing?

    <p>They should be avoided</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which academic discipline would focus on studying human behavior?

    <p>Sociology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a feature of a well-written academic text?

    <p>Vague arguments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which branch would you study financial markets?

    <p>Business</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of using formal language?

    <p>It is intended for professional or academic communication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of informal language?

    <p>It adheres to rigorous grammatical rules.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes academic writing from other types of writing?

    <p>It demands the proper use of academic language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines academic language?

    <p>A formal language used in academic settings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which of the following situations would informal language be appropriate?

    <p>Texting a friend about weekend plans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary requirement for academic writing to be considered effective?

    <p>It requires proper language use and adherence to conventions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following elements is NOT typically part of academic language?

    <p>Emotional and personal anecdotes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is understanding academic language important for students?

    <p>It is crucial for successfully navigating educational demands.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main reason for avoiding first person pronouns in formal writing?

    <p>To enhance objectivity in the writing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of academic writing as described?

    <p>The information and arguments presented</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a correct example of an acronym?

    <p>NASA</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following pronouns is NOT a first person pronoun?

    <p>They</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done when an acronym is first used in an essay?

    <p>Write the full name in brackets, followed by the acronym</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the objective of using a more communicative approach in language teaching and testing?

    <p>To reflect the nature of language proficiency</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of hedging language in academic writing?

    <p>To downplay claims and indicate uncertainty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement reflects a more formal academic style?

    <p>It is believed that teaching should be efficient.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a modal auxiliary used for hedging?

    <p>Could</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might a reader assume that an idea presented is the author's own?

    <p>If it is not referenced explicitly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What modification is made to form the plural of an acronym?

    <p>Add 's' without an apostrophe</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements indicates a lack of objectivity?

    <p>Some may argue that methods need improvement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is implied about academic text in general?

    <p>It aims to present objective information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following words is an example of an epistemic verb used for hedging?

    <p>Assume</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which adjective indicates a high level of uncertainty?

    <p>Unlikely</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of language proficiency is a focal point of debate among researchers?

    <p>The definition of language proficiency</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of using hedging in academic writing?

    <p>To tone down the author's claims</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following lists contains indicators of degree and frequency?

    <p>Presumably, probably, occasionally</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes formal language in academic writing?

    <p>It requires specific language skills.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In academic writing, how is the term 'double hedges' best defined?

    <p>Hedging statements that indicate possible uncertainty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of a 'quadruple hedge'?

    <p>It would seem somewhat unlikely that</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an 'if' clause typically used for in academic writing?

    <p>To evaluate possible outcomes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these phrases indicates an academic viewpoint?

    <p>It seems reasonable to assume that</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best represents informal language?

    <p>We totally agree this is problematic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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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    Quiz Team

    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.

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