EAPP Complexity

 An academic text addresses complex issues that

Nature and Characteristics of Academic Texts require higher-order thinking skills to comprehend.
 An academic text is a reading material that
provides information which include concepts
and theories that are related to the specific
discipline.

The following are considered as academic texts:

Research Paper
Conference Paper
Feasibility Study
Thesis/Dissertation
Reviews
Essay
Academic Journals Academic Language
Reports  It refers to the oral, written, auditory, and visual
language proficiency required to learn effectively in
Structure schools and academic programs. It is also the
 Unlike fiction or journalistic writing, the overall language used in classroom lessons, books, tests,
structure of an academic text is formal and logical and assignments. It is the language that students
(Introduction, Body, Conclusion). It must be are expected to learn and achieve fluency in.
cohesive and possess a logically organized flow of
ideas; this means that various parts are connected Importance of Academic Language
to form a unified whole. Students who master academic language are more likely
to be successful in academic and professional settings
Tone
 The overall tone refers to the attitude conveyed in a Academic Language vs. Social Language
piece of writing. The arguments of others are fairly Social language is the simple, informal language we use
presented and with an appropriate narrative tone. when talking face to face with family members and
When presenting a position or argument that friends. It allows us to use contemporary or slang terms
disagrees with one’s perspectives, describe the like “cool,” “awesome,” or “dude.” We can also
argument accurately without loaded or biased communicate feelings, needs, and wants using symbolic
language. hand gestures for drink, eat, hot, cold, hurt, or tired.
Social language also includes writing emails, friendly
Language letters, and texts or retelling stories.
 It is important to use unambiguous language. Clear
topic sentences enable a reader to follow your line Academic language is different from everyday social
of thinking without difficulty. Formal language and language. It is the vocabulary students or adults must
the third person point-of view should be used. learn to succeed in the classroom or in the workplace.
Technical language appropriate to the area of study We use academic language to describe and
may also be used, however it does not mean using comprehend complex ideas, process higher-order
“big words” just for the sake of doing so. thinking, and understand abstract concepts. Academic
language is what students read in textbooks and on
Citation tests and what they hear during instruction in the
 Citing sources in the body of the paper and classroom. Students with limited or low academic
providing a list of references as either footnotes or language skills are more than likely to have low
endnotes is a very important aspect of an academic academic performance in classroom settings.
text. It is essential to always acknowledge the
source of any ideas, research findings, data, or
quoted text that have been used in a paper as a
defense against allegations of plagiarism.
Text structures
- refer to the way authors organize information in A strong thesis statement usually contains an
text. Recognizing the underlying structure of element of uncertainty, risk or challenge
texts can help students focus attention on key (Ramage, Bean, and Johnson 2006:34). This
concepts and relationships, anticipate what is to means that your thesis should offer a debatable
come, and monitor their comprehension as they claim that you can prove or disprove in your
read. essay. The claim should be debatable enough to
let your readers agree or disagree with you.
Chronological Order Also, you will have to gather evidence in order
▫ It is also known as time order. This structure is for you to back up your thesis statement.
organized from one point in time to another.
Sequence Guidelines on Writing an Effective Thesis
▫ Steps described in the order they occur. It does Statement
not take place in a specific point in time. 1. Avoid making overly-opinionated stands
While a thesis statement needs to reveal your
Cause-and-Effect attitude toward the topic, be careful not to go
▫ This structure shows how one or more causes to the extremes and write a thesis statement
led to one or more effects. Many texts do not with an exaggerated claim. This is because you
include just one cause leading to one effect– need to prove your thesis first, and avoid
instead, there may be several causes and imposing your opinion on the reader, lest you
several effects. affect their disposition toward you.

Problem/Solution 2. Avoid making announcements

▫ The text structure presents a problem, and Sometimes, it is easier to tell your reader what
shows how it can be (or has been) solved. The you intend to write about. However, sometimes
key difference between cause-effect and it makes a weak thesis statement for it lacks
problem-solution is that the latter always your attitude or stand in a particular topic.
present a solution while the former does not.
3. Avoid stating facts alone
Compare-Contrast If you rely only on facts in your thesis
▫ This text structure shows how two or more statements, you will not have much room for
ideas or items are similar or different. The text discussion, because facts are generally not as
may use a clustered approach, with details debatable as opinions.
about one topic followed by the details about
the other. It may also show an alternating
approach, with the author going back between
the two topics.

Exemplification/Classification An outline is a summary that gies the essential

▫ An exemplification paragraph develops a features of a text. It shows how the parts of a
general statement--the topic sentence--with text are related to one another as parts that are
one or more specific examples. A classification of equal importance, or sections that are
paragraph divides things into groups, classes, or subordinate to a main idea.
categories. It also organizes ideas into divisions
based on criteria or standards.
Kinds of outline
Persuasion Reading Outline
▫ This text structure convinces readers to agree to - used to get the main ideas of a text that is
an argument or claim about a particular topic. already written.
- it helps you understand the text’s structure
A thesis statement is the claim or stand that more critically y because you will have to find
you will develop in your paper. It is the the text’s thesis statement and supporting
controlling idea of your essay. details.
 Writing Outline  How did Victor Hugo show the hardships and
- a skeletal version of your essay. triumph during the French revolution, in his
- used as a guide to organize your ideas work, ‘Les Miserables’?
- it is usually done before you write the first
draft of your essay 4. Marxist Criticism emphasizes on how power, politics,
and money play a role in literary texts and amongst
Types of Outlines: literary societies and characters.
Topic outline — the headings are given in sing  Focus on how class, power, race and economic
words or brief phrases status affect the content and theme of a
certain work.
Sentence outline – all headings are expressed in In what way did the story/movie reflect the
complete sentences socio-economic status of the characters?

5. Feminism emphasizes on the roles, positions, and

Critical Approaches to Writing a Review/ influences ofwomen within literary texts.
Reaction Paper/Critique  Focus on how women are portrayed in a certain
literary work, in arts, in
The following critical approaches will guide you on commercials, in movie, etc.
writing your review, reaction paper or critique. These Are women viewed as inferior beings in the movie? How
approaches will help you focus on the more important were they portrayed? What aspect of the painting
aspects to examine, analyze and evaluate. mirrors the patriarchal ideology in our society?

1. Formalism emphasizes the form of a literary work to 6. Reader-response criticism emphasizes that the
determine its meaning, focusing on literary elements meaning of a text is dependent upon the reader’s
and how they work to create meaning. response to it.
 Focus on the elements, structure and principles Focus on the meaning you created while reading a text,
that govern a certain text, artworks, movie, watching a movie or looking at a certain object. It
book, poems, etc. focuses on your personal connection with and
Poem (meter, figurative deices, imagery, theme) understanding of the subject of your review. What
Books/stories (setting, characters, plot) emotion did you experience after reading the poem?
Movies (sound effects, transition, shots) What is your interpretation of the painting
Artistic expression (lines, colors, shapes,
rhythm, texture, sound)

2. Biographical Criticism emphasizes the importance of

the author’s life and background into account when
analyzing a text.
 Focus on the life and background of the
writer/artist and connect it to the subject of
your review or critic.
How did the life of Dr. Jose Rizal affect his
written works?
How did Pablo Picasso’s life experiences shape
his painting style?

3. Historical Criticism posits that every literary work is

the product of its time and its world.
 Focus on the era and significant events that
happened during the time the text/ movie/
book/art/poem was produced.
 How did Juan Luna’s ‘Spoliarium’ depict the
happenings during the time it was painted?