English for Academic and Professional Purposes - Lesson Handout PDF

Lesson Handout: English for Academic and Professional Purposes | Page 1 Course Overview: The English for Academic and Professional Purposes course is designed to prepare English language learners to develop the essential skills for effective written and spoken communication in academic and profess...

Lesson Handout: English for Academic and Professional Purposes | Page 1 Course Overview: The English for Academic and Professional Purposes course is designed to prepare English language learners to develop the essential skills for effective written and spoken communication in academic and professional contexts. This includes building linguistic, cultural, social, and academic proficiency through highly contextualized and meaningful classroom practices. The course emphasizes collaborative work, fostering a safe and supportive learning environment that nurtures confident and competent communication. Academic Texts: Definition: Academic texts are written by professionals or experts within a specific field of study. These texts are typically well-researched, thoroughly edited, and aim to present facts, research findings, or theoretical insights in a formal and structured manner. Academic texts are published after a rigorous process, often taking years to prepare and review. Characteristics of Academic Texts: Written by professionals in the given field. Well-edited and peer-reviewed, often taking years to publish. Uses formal language with technical jargon specific to the field. Contains references and sources to support claims and arguments. Main goal: To advance human understanding in a particular discipline. Can be challenging for novice or beginner readers due to the complexity of language and content. Informative, argumentative, or objective in nature, seeking to inform or contribute to an ongoing academic discourse. Examples of Academic Texts: Textbooks and school books. Journal articles. Research proposals and papers. Theses and dissertations. Some newspaper and magazine articles (depending on the context). Conference papers. Types of Academic Texts: 1. Descriptive Texts ○ Purpose: Provide facts, details, and information. ○ Functions: Identify, summarize, define, and record. ○ Example: A report on a scientific experiment or historical event. 2. Analytical Texts ○ Purpose: Organize facts and information into categories, types, or relationships. ○ Functions: Analyze, compare, contrast, examine, relate. ○ Example: A research paper categorizing and analyzing different schools of thought in a field. 3. Persuasive Texts ○ Purpose: Present an argument, offer recommendations, or interpret findings. ○ Functions: Argue, evaluate, discuss, defend a position. ○ Example: A policy brief arguing for changes in law or a critique of a research paper. 4. Critical Texts ○ Purpose: Evaluate and critique theories, research, or viewpoints, including your own. ○ Functions: Debate, critique, disagree, evaluate. ○ Example: A literature review or a critical analysis essay in which different perspectives are evaluated. Non-Academic Texts: Definition: Non-academic texts are generally written for the general public and are more informal in nature. These texts are typically published quickly, may not be subject to rigorous editing, and are often written by non-experts. Non-academic texts are generally easier to read and understand, and they may include personal opinions, emotional content, or subjective views. Characteristics of Non-Academic Texts:  Lesson Handout: English for Academic and Professional Purposes | Page 2 Written for a broad audience and often aimed at mass consumption. Published quickly, and the author may not always be an expert. Uses informal language, including conversational tones and slang. Rarely involves in-depth research or citations. Simple and accessible, designed for a general readership. May be subjective, emotional, or impressionistic in tone. Examples of Non-Academic Texts: Blog posts. Fiction books. Personal journals and diaries. Letters (including personal and open letters). Magazine and newspaper articles (written for a general audience). Social media posts. Things to Consider When Writing an Academic Text: When preparing to write or analyze an academic text, consider the following factors: 1. Audience: Understand who your readers are—academics, professionals, or a general audience. This will influence your writing style, language, and depth of explanation. 2. Purpose: Define the purpose of your text. Are you informing, persuading, analyzing, or critiquing? Your purpose will guide your tone and structure. 3. Organization of Thought: Academic writing must be logically organized. Ensure that ideas flow coherently, with clear connections between paragraphs and sections. 4. Style: Academic writing demands formality. Avoid contractions, slang, and overly casual expressions. Use precise language and discipline-specific terminology. 5. Flow: Ensure that the text flows smoothly from one idea to the next. Use transitional phrases and connectors to guide the reader through your argument or analysis. 6. Presentation: Follow proper formatting and citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.). A well-presented academic text is easier to follow and more credible.