Academic and professional language has distinct features compared to informal social language. Formal language is used for academic and professional purposes and avoids colloquialisms, contractions, and personal language. It emphasizes formality, complexity, objectivity, explicitness, and precision through the use of longer words, third person perspective, and transitional devices. Hedging allows for tentativeness when claims have not been fully established.
Academic and professional language has distinct features compared to informal social language. Formal language is used for academic and professional purposes and avoids colloquialisms, contractions, and personal language. It emphasizes formality, complexity, objectivity, explicitness, and precision through the use of longer words, third person perspective, and transitional devices. Hedging allows for tentativeness when claims have not been fully established.
Academic and professional language has distinct features compared to informal social language. Formal language is used for academic and professional purposes and avoids colloquialisms, contractions, and personal language. It emphasizes formality, complexity, objectivity, explicitness, and precision through the use of longer words, third person perspective, and transitional devices. Hedging allows for tentativeness when claims have not been fully established.
Academic and professional language has distinct features compared to informal social language. Formal language is used for academic and professional purposes and avoids colloquialisms, contractions, and personal language. It emphasizes formality, complexity, objectivity, explicitness, and precision through the use of longer words, third person perspective, and transitional devices. Hedging allows for tentativeness when claims have not been fully established.
OF ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL LANGUAGE Today 's Ag Recog enda ni (Infor zing Soc ma Acade ) vs. l l ia m Langu ic (Form age al) As pects Profes of Acad sional emic Langu and age LANGUAGE A system of spoken, signed, and/or written communication used by humans to express themselves. FORMAL LANGUAGE INFORMAL LANGUAGE Used for professional and Used when communicating, academic purposes writing, or having conversations
with family and friends No colloquialism and contractions
involved More casual and spontaneous
Less personal More personal
SOCIAL (INFORMAL) ACADEMIC (FORMAL)
Variety of words, more
Repetition of words sophisticated vocabulary Sentences start with Sentences start with transition words, such as "however", "and" and "but" "moreover", and "in addition"
Use of slang: "guys",
no slang "cool" Aspects of Academic and Professional Language FORMALITY Use of language appropriate in academic and professional settings
Follows accepted rules, forms, and
conventions of writing in a particular community or discipline Things to avoid to achieve formality Colloquial words and expressions Contractions and abbreviations Two- word verbs asking questions
sub-headings, numbering, bullet-points (in
essay) COMPLEXITY Use of more lexical words than grammatical words
Shorter in length, but uses longer, more
complex words and phrases EXAMPLES The participant was admitted to the scholarship program. It came to him as a surprise. The participant's admission to the scholarship program came to him as a surprise. EXAMPLES How much money will be invested should be determined.
The amount of money to be invested should be
determined. EXAMPLES Findings also suggest that the positive reactions of the participants to the intervention was associated with the new information. The information acquired was about themselves. Findings also suggest that the positive reactions of the participants to the intervention was associated with the new information that they acquired was about themselves. EXAMPLES Because the technology has improved, it's less risky than it used to be when you install them at the same time, and it doesn't cost so much.
Improvement in technology have reduced the risk
and high costs associated with simultaneous installation. OBJECTIVITY Emphasis should be on the information that you want to give and the arguments you want to make, rather than you. Characterized by the use of third person rather than first person. EXAMPLES In my opinion, this is a very interesting study.
This is a very interesting study.
EXAMPLES You can easily forget how different life was 50 years ago.
It is easy to forget how difficult life was 50
years ago. EXAMPLES We should consider the impact of motivation in student achievement.
Motivation impacts student achievement.
IMPERSONALITY Avoid making statements that are not supported by examples and evidence
avoid adverbs or adjectives that tend to exaggerate
youur description. EXPLICITNESS Refers to the organization of the ideas in the text. Shows relationship and connection of the ideas in the text. Indicating the source of our ideas. EXPLICITNESS Academic writing demands the use of signposts that allow readers to trace the relationship in the parts of a study. If you intend to show a change in your line of argument , make it clear by using however. Example
It is apparent that the government hopes to
provide assistance to poor. However, giving dole outs to "the poorest of the poor" does not work in the long run. TRANSITIONAL DEVICES ADDING IDEAS SEQUENCE
furthermore, in addition to, first, second,
moreover, besides, first, second, finally, next, then finally, not only... but also, following TRANSITIONAL DEVICES CONTRAST
EXAMPLE although, but, despite, even
though, however, in contrast, in thus, illustrate,
spite of, instead, nevertheless, for example, for nonetheless, on the contrary, on instance, provided the other hand that, in particular TRANSITIONAL DEVICES CAUSE AND EFFECT TIME PLACE
as a result, beacuse, until, as long as, here, there, at
consequently, for this later, so far, this point, below, reason, hence, if so, when, before, beside, next to, then, therefore, thus, after, soo, later, behind, in front, accordingly, for this now outside, inside purpose, thereupon, to this end TRANSITIONAL DEVICES GENERALIZATION COMPARISON ASSERTION OR REFERENCE
OPPOSITION
commonly, and, similarly,
as seen in generally, in likewise, in like no doubt, surely, Table 1, as general, for the manner, in the of course, mentioned, most part, on the same way, also, certainly, in as stated whole, usually, in the same fact, without a previously typically manner doubt SUMMARY WORD a catch-all noun that functions as a lexical tie between sentences
Follows the pattern:
This/These + summary word EXAMPLES The school decided to use English as a medium of instruction in Literature classes. This decision was met with negative reactions from the faculty. The study revealed that the scores in reading comprehension did not increase after using the approach. This finding resulted in changes in certain policies in the teaching of reading. HEDGING Expresses tentativeness and possibility in communication cautious or vague language Enables you to express a perspective on claims that have not been acclaimed yet by others. Academy, E. (2022b, May 3). What Is Hedging in Academic Writing? Enago Academy. https://www.enago.com/academy/hedging-in- academic-writing/ REASONS FOR HEDGING When there are exceptions to the findings or the results are inconclusive When they are sure about what they are saying but want to appear more modest or show deference to their readers or colleagues. When they want to open up possibilities for discussions LANGUAGE USED IN HEDGING INTRODUCTORY CERTAIN CERTAIN ADVERBS OF VERBS LEXICAL MODAL FREQUENCY
VERBS VERBS
seem, tend, look
often, like, appear to be, believe, will, must, sometimes, think, believe, assume, would, may, usually doubt, be sure, suggest might, could indicate, suggest LANGUAGE USED IN HEDGING MODAL VERBS & THAT CLAUSES TO-CLAUSE + ADJECTIVES MODAL NOUNS ADJECTIVE
it could be the
certainly, definitely, assumption, case that... it may be possible
clearly, probably, it might be possibility, suggested to obtain... possibly, perhaps, probability it is important to conceivably that...
develop...
it is useful to certain, definite, There is every clear, possible, hope that... study... probable
EXAMPLE In both cases, if the policy stipulates the use of either English of Filipino, the faculty, staff, and students will not support it
In both cases, if the policy stipulates the use of either English of
Filipino, this might not gain a strong support from the faculty, staff, and students. EXAMPLE There certainly are cases where this would seem to have been the only possible method of transmission.
There are cases where this would have been the only possible method of transmission. PRECISION specifying information, dates or figures
Do not use 'a lot of people' when you can say
'31 million people' EXAMPLE The volatile oily liquid beta-chloro-beta-ethyl sulphide was first synthesized in 1854, and in 1887 it was reported to produce blisters if it touched the skin. It was called mustard gas and was used at Ypres in 19I7, when it caused many thousands of casualties. ACCURACY Sentences are free from grammatical errors Correct and appropriate words References Teacher Kat. (2021, March 30). Lesson 2: Features and Aspects of Academic and Professional Language | EAPP [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyuuBjXAJBA
What are the Characteristics of Formal and Informal Writing With
Example. (2022, July 21). Education Summary. https://educationsummary.com/lesson/what-are-the-characteristics-of- formal-and-informal-writing-with-example/
Academy, E. (2022b, May 3). What Is Hedging in Academic
