ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES 3RD Quarter

Academic Writing - process that starts with Avoiding colloquial/trite/idiomatic

posing a question, problematizing a concept, expressions, such as kind of like, as a matter
evaluating an opinion, and ends in answering of fact, I need to go to the John
the question or questions posed, clarifying
the problem, or arguing for a stand. 2. Objectivity - writing must be impersonal
and maintain a certain level of social
distance.
Purposes in Reading an Academic Text
Avoiding the use of personal pronouns
 To locate the main idea such as you, I, and we.
 To scan for information
 To identify gaps in existing studies Poor example: You need to conduct the
 To connect new ideas to existing ones experiment.
 To gain more pieces of information Improved version: The researchers need to
 To support a particular writing conduct the experiment.
assignment
 To deeply understand an existing idea Avoiding rhetorical questions as it
marks “closeness” with the reader, and
constantly seeks his/her attention.
Factors to Consider in Writing Academic
Text Poor example: How can these problems be
solved?

 State critical questions and issues Improved version: Certain measures must be
 Provide facts and evidence from discovered to solve the problems.
credible sources
Avoiding emotive language that shows
 Use precise and accurate words while biases and lessens objectivity.
avoiding jargon
 Take an objective point of view Poor example: The investigators were very
 List references and shocked to see the outcome of the tests.
 Use cautious language Improved version: The investigators did not
expect the results.
A. Features of Language used in
Academic Texts 3. Explicitness - Academic writing demands
the use of signposts that allow readers to
1. Formality - reflects your dignified stance in trace the relationships in the parts of study.
writing as a member of the academic
community. The phrases this is due to the and this
resulted in can make the ideas explicit.
Choosing expanded modal forms over Avoiding the use of personal pronouns such
as you, I, and we.
contracted forms, such as using cannot
instead of can’t, do not instead of don’t. When two ideas seem to have the
same thought or ideas, express each one
Choosing one verb form over two-word clearly.
verbs, such as damage instead of mess up.
If you want to give extra information in
Choosing expanded terms over their your sentence, make it clear by using in
abbreviated equivalents, such as as soon as addition to. For example could be used if you
want to give examples in your sentence.
possible instead of ASAP.
ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES 3RD Quarter

4. Caution - Academic writing requires care Hedging - An important feature of academic

since knowledge is built proven from theories writing is the concept of cautious language,
from and concepts. Caution is needed to often called “hedging” or “vague language.”
avoid sweeping generalization.
Responsibility - Provide evidence and
Modal Verb (may, can, might, could) justification for any claims you make. You are
also responsible for demonstrating an
Adverb (often, usually, sometimes, understanding of any source texts you use.
commonly)
This is done by paraphrasing,
Verb (tends, suggests, appears to be, think, summarizing what you have read and
believe, doubt, and indicate) acknowledging the source of this information
or ideas by a system of citation.
In academic writing, cautions need to
be observed in the following parts of your Structure of Academic Texts
paper:
Combining Ideas - Avoid redundancy and at
When a hypothesis needs to be tested.
the same time, make sure the ideas are
Drawing conclusions or predictions packed effectively.
from your findings that may generalize certain
matters or may not be conclusive. EXAMPLE:
The earthquake caused loss of life. The
Referencing others’ work to build on earthquake caused massive property damage.
your own paper. That earthquake changed the landscape of the
Since academic writing draws on village.
previous writings done related to your topic IMPROVED VERSION:
The earthquake caused loss of life, property
(in the case of research writing), it is
damage, and permanent changes in the
important that creating knowledge is landscape.
expressed through means that do not lead to
sweeping generalizations that may directly Nominalization - Verbs are made the central
attack other writer’s point of view. doer as they denote action. Transforming
Other Features verbs into nouns help readers focus on the
action and not on the doer of the action.
Complexity – Written language is relatively
more complex than spoken language. Written EXAMPLE:
The company created software to manage the
texts are lexically dense compared to spoken
transactions successfully.
language – they have proportionately more IMPROVED VERSION:
lexical words than grammatical words. The creation of software to manage transactions
was a success.
Precision - In academic writing, you need to
be precise when you use information, dates, Passivization - The results of action are
or figures. Do not use “a lot of people” when highlighted
you can say “50 million people.”

Accuracy - Academic writing uses vocabulary Summarizing

accurately.
- providing an abridged version of the
-“phonetics” and “phonology” or “grammar” narrative
with “syntax.” - reducing a text to its main idea and
-“meeting,” “assembly,” necessary information

“gathering”, or “conference.”
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- differs from paraphrasing in that summary 2. Somebody Wanted But So Then

leaves out details and terms Somebody—Who is the text about?
Summarizing - putting the main ideas into Wanted—What did the main character want?
your own words, applied to longer passage,
shorter than the original, includes in-text But—What was the problem encountered?
citations So—How was the problem solved?
Paraphrasing - putting the passage from the Then—How did it end?
source material into your own words, same
length as the original, includes in-text
citations. 3. Saac Method - helpful in learning the
format of a summary. This includes the title
Summary
and author’s name
- a synopsis or digest of the essence of an
State— The name of the article, book, movie
entire text.
Assign—the name of the author
- short statement of the main idea of a text.
Action—what the author is doing (ex. Tells,
- presents the gist of a text.
explains)
- It is the shortened version, ideally, only one-
Complete—complete the sentence or
third of the original text.
summary with keywords and important details
- It contains the main points and important
details of the text and should be written in
your own words. 4. 5W’S, 1 H - questions make it easy to
identify the main character, important details,
Basic Rules
and main idea. Your summary may not
1. Erase things that don’t matter. necessarily follow this order as long as it
2. Only write down important points. contains these pieces of information

3. Erase things that repeat. • Who is the text about?

4. Trade general terms for specific names. • What did he/she do?

5. Use your own words to write the summary. • When did it happen?
Do not inject your opinion in your summary. • Why did he/she do it?
Techniques in Summarizing • How did he/she do what he/she did?
1. Outlining - An outline is a map of your
essay. It shows what information each
5. First Then Finally
section or paragraph will contain and in what
order. -This technique helps summarize events or
steps in chronological order or in sequence.
I. Main Idea
A. Supporting Details
First– What happened first?

B. Supporting Details Then– What key details took place during

the event/action?
II. Main Idea
Finally– What were the results of the
A. Supporting Details
event/action?
B. Supporting Details
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Thesis Statement Key Elements for a Strong Thesis

Statement
- Summarizes your topic and declares your
position on it 1. It is not a fact.
- can be the answer to a question that you - A fact is irrefutable. Writing a fact as a
have posed or the solution for a problem you thesis makes no argument.
have identified 2. It is not a question.
- usually comes at the end of the - A question simply does not express one’s
introduction. claim or comment about a topic.
3. It is not an announcement.
- Avoid saying what you will discuss in the
text.
4. It is not too broad.
- Avoid making vague and confusing thesis
statements by making specific and focused
thesis.
5. It is a complete sentence.
Thesis statements gives us insight about
the whole essay, while topic sentences - A phrase does not convey complete ideas
gives us insight about a paragraph. or thought.
- Stating the thesis in complete sentence
makes it easier for the reader to understand
Deductive order vs. Inductive order
the main idea of the text.
Deductive – if the thesis is stated at the
6. It requires support.
beginning, then the reader may expect that
the following sentences support or develop it - To make your thesis statement persuasive,
facts, surveys, reports etc. should be used as
Inductive – if the thesis is stated at the latter
proof or evidences to support your claim or
part of the text, then the preceding statement
opinion on the topic.
are the details or specifics.
7. It takes a stand.
Implicit vs. Explicit Thesis
The thesis should clearly show your claim
Explicit Thesis Statement – express the
about a subject/topic.
main idea clearly and directly in the text read
8. It is arguable.
Implicit Thesis Statement – do not clearly
express the main idea of a text. Reader has - The thesis should be contestable, debatable
to infer from all from all the details stated in or argumentative.
the text. - Again, the thesis statement should never be
In academic writing, the thesis is a factual statement.
often explicit: it is included as a sentence as A thesis statement must have a topic,
part of the text. controlling idea, and predictor.
ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES 3RD Quarter

The introduction paragraph format: - Writer introduces the topic to the reader by
giving background information and providing
A. ATTENTION GETTER (COMMONLY
a thesis statement
KNOWN AS THE “HOOK”)
- Having mentioned the thesis statement in
B. INTRODUCE THE TOPIC
your introduction, the rest of the paper should
C. STATE THE THESIS help you support the claim
2. Body (The content of the paper)
Outline - contain a minimum of three paragraphs in
 map of your essay or a blueprint support of the thesis statement made in the
 breakdown of the main and supporting introductory paragraph
ideas - each paragraph should relay an individual
 helpful tool for organizing your work point or idea
 shows the logical arrangement of
- ensure that your paragraphs contain three
ideas
parts: the topic sentence, supporting
Importance of Outline statement and the concluding paragraphs
Outline allows a writer to categorize 3. Conclusion (Wrap all of your
the main points, to organize the paragraphs arguments)
into an order that makes sense, and to make
- mark the end of your essay
sure that each paragraph/idea can be fully
developed. - summarize the ideas made in the body and
also restate the thesis statement.
Outline helps prevent a writer from
getting stuck when performing the actual
writing of the essay. Two Kinds of Outline
Outlines help writers: 1. Reading outline
✓ Make the writing process easier since you - used to get the main ideas of a text that is
have a road map for your essay to follow. already written
✓Break through writer’s block—for people - helps you understand the text’s structure
who struggle with writer’s block, it helps to more critically because you will have to find
first set up a structure with lower stakes and the text’s thesis statement and supporting
less pressure. details

✓ Save time writing your essay since you 2. Writing outline

have a clear, focused plan to follow for your - a skeletal version of your essay
essay.
- used as a guide in organizing ideas
✓ Ensure each part of your essay relates to - usually done before you write the first draft
the essay. of your essay
Parts of an Essay
1. Introduction (attention grabber)
- prepares the reader on the contents of the
essay
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Types of Outline - careful analysis of an argument to

determine what is said, how well the points
1. Topic outline - the headings are given
are made, what assumptions underline the
using words or brief phrases
argument, what issues are overlooked, and
2. Sentence outline – all headings are what implications are drawn from such
expressed in complete sentences. observations.
- systematic, yet personal response and
Two Outline Formats evaluation of what you read.

1. Traditional format (Alphanumeric Critical Approaches

Outline) - different perspectives we consider when
– uses Roman numerals, letters, and looking at a piece of literature
numbers - give us answers to questions, in addition to
2. Standard format (Decimal Outline) aiding us in interpreting literature.
– uses numbers 1. What do we read?
2. Why do we read?
3. How do we read?
Principles of Outlining
1. Parallelism
1. Reader-Response Approach
- Entries should observe the same language
- asserts great deal of meaning in a text lies
structure (e.g., words, phrases, sentences).
with how the reader responds to it.
2. Coordination
- focuses on the act of reading and how it
- Entries should observe levels of importance. affects our perception of meaning in a text.
3. Subordination - readers can put meaning and interpret every
- Entries should observe differences of part of the text.
importance (Which ideas should be classified - deals more with the process of creating
as minor or major ideas?). meaning and experiencing a text as we read.
4. Division 2. Formalist Approach
- Entries should at least be two to be sure - emphasizes the form of literary work of
that supporting points of a major idea are literature work to determine its meaning
adequate.
- focuses on literary elements and how they
work to create meaning.
Critical Approaches in Writing a Critique - what is the title, setting, other elements etc.
Critique and it is symbolic?

- formal analysis and evaluation of a text, - what kind of language did the author
production, or performanc-either a self- use?
critique or someone else’s. - what is the effect of the plot, and what parts
specifically produce that effect?
- What figures of speech are used?
(metaphors, similes, etc.)
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3. Psychological/Psychoanalytic 6. New Historicist Approach

Approach - argues that every literary work is a product
- views a text as a revelation of its author’s of its time and its world
mind and personality - provides background information necessary
- focuses on hidden motivations of literary to understand how literary texts were
characters and literary characters as a perceived in their time
reflection of the writer. - shows how literary texts reflect ideas and
- based on the work of Sigmund Freud attitudes of the time in which they were
written
- which behaviors of the character are
conscious and unconscious? - How does it reflect the time in which it was
written?
- what motivations, emotions, and behaviors
of the character?
4. Sociological Approach Reaction Paper
- focuses on man’s relationship to others in – Form of paper writing in which the writer
society, politics, religion, and business expresses his ideas and opinions about what
has been read or seen.
- argues that social contexts must be
considered when analyzing a text. - This paper writing may be informal, two
pages long. As all essays, a reaction paper
- focuses on the values of a society and how
comprises introduction, body, and conclusion.
those views are reflected in a text and
empathizes the economic, political, and - Not a summary of the article although
cultural issues within literary texts. information should be included
A. Marxist Approach Format of a Reaction Paper
- emphasizes economic and social conditions Introduction – main premise
- concerned with understanding the role of Body – ideas
power, politics, and money in literary texts Conclusion – summarizes results
- based on the political theory of Karl Marx Basic Qualities of a Good Reaction Paper
and Friedrich Engels.
- Gives fair and balance social commentary
- differences between economic classes,
conflict between the working class and elites, - Provides relevant and accurate factual
implications of socioeconomic system and information
social classes. - Exhibits by means of through and in depth
B. Feminist Approach analysis an appreciation of context.

- concerned with the role, position, and - Makes a clear distinction, through language,
influence of women in a literary text. between actual and probable or possible

- How are the women’s lives portrayed in the - Exhibits deep sense of humanity and
work?. understanding of human situation even while
expressing disapproval or disagreement.
5. Biographical Approach - argues that we
must take an author’s life and background
into account when we study a text.
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In writing a reaction paper, make sure to: Format of Book Review

1. Read the material carefully Introduction – describe the book cover and
title, include any subtitles and the author’s
2. Mark interesting places while
name. Briefly summarize the main points of
reading/watching
the article.
3. Write down your thoughts while
Body – what are the setting, themes, plot,
reading/watching
characterization, and other literary devices.
4. Come up with Thesis Statement Strengths and Weaknesses of the book. How
5. Compose an outline is the book like or different from other books.
Is the book informative, entertaining, or
6. Construct your paper
meaningful? Should it be recommended to
Recommendations to help you complete others?
an outstanding reaction paper:
Conclusion – Concluding sentence. This
 Read the original article carefully and includes your final opinion. Star rating
highlight the main ideas and points you (optional)
want to discuss
 Describe your point of view and back it
with additional information. Use vivid Concept Paper
examples. - In academic writing, research
 Use various sources to make your advisers/panels/institution agencies agree to
statement more argumentative. push the start button after researchers/project
Tips to Help you Avoid Common Mistakes developers are able to lay down the
framework of their study/project and was
- don’t give a summary of an article found feasible for the conduct of a study or to
- perform your personal opinion, not an be financed through a concept paper.
overview - Prior to the submission of a research/project
- back your ideas with examples proposal, proponents are requested to submit
a summary of what it is all about, the reasons
- avoid examples that are difficult to relate to
for conducting the research/project and how it
the topic
will be carried out.
The first part should contain
- Provides an overview of the
information on the author and the topic. Write
research/project and helps panels/investors
down the main ideas and highlight main
to eliminate researches/proposals which are
points. Avoid your personal opinion in this
likely to be disapproved.
section.
- It is a persuasive document that offers
The second part should contain your
solution to an identified problem or need.
personal thoughts on the subject. Focus on
the main idea and address them and describe - Summaries of projects or issues that reflect
your opinion. Back up your statements with the interests, experiences and expertise of
sources if needed the writer.
- Used as instructional tool that may have
developed as a result of extensive research
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Uses of Concept Paper 3. Clarification - process that engages

critical thinking. It creates multiple meaning
1. Serves as a foundation of the full proposal
through:
2. Helps determine whether a certain
1. Formulating purposes
research/project is feasible or not
2. Choosing, examining, and integrating data
3. Used to pique the interest of the
sources
panel/potential funding agencies
3. Representing a final conceptualization that
4. Used to obtain informal feedback on the
can also be examined for adequacy.
ideas prior to preparing the full proposal.
It is a method of explanation in which
the points are organized from a general
3 WAYS OF EXPLAINING A CONCEPT abstract idea to specific and concrete
1. Definition - mode of paragraph examples.
development that answers the questions: Signal words: after all, as an example,
What is it? What does it mean? What are its for instance, in other words, in particular,
special features? specifically, to clarify, to be specific.
- The words to be defined may be an object,
a concept, a person, a place or a
Parts of a Concept Paper
phenomenon.
1. Name or Title of the Concept Paper
A. Formal Definition – Term, Class, and
Distinguishing Features 2. Introduction
B. Informal Definition – Term and Class 3. Statement of Purpose
4. Objectives
2. Explication - process by which abstract 5. Questions
concepts are systematically linked to 6. Stakeholders/Beneficiaries
observed variations in those concepts in the
“real” world with appropriate methods. 7. Short Description

- Process of drawing out the meaning of 8. Methodology

something which is not clearly defined, so as 9. Timetable
to make explicit what is currently left implicit.
10. Conclusion
This is accomplished by developing two
definitions:
Guidelines in writing a concept paper
Conceptual Definitions – Specify the meaning
of the concepts to be suited; verbal 1. Cost and methodology should be
descriptions of the essential properties the reasonable.
researcher intends to be included within the 2. The budget, methodology, and timeline
concept’s meaning. should be clearly aligned.
Operational Definitions – Procedures by 3. Use statistics and figures when discussing
which the concept is to be observed, the rationale for the project.
measured or manipulated.
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4. Use no more than five pages (single- implemented, and the projected benefits and
spaced) excluding the cover page. Do not impact of the campaign to the company’s
overwhelm the readers with details. sales, consumer base, and other aspects of
the company.
5. Never request funding for planning the
proposal.
6. Adjust your language to the intended 3. Research Grant Concept paper - most
readers. common in the academe and business world.
Alongside proving why your research project
7. Include the overview of the budget if it is
should be conducted, a research grant
required.
concept paper must also appeal to the
8. Be sure that basic format details, such as company or funding agency on why they
page numbers, are incorporated. should be granted funds.
9. Cite your references - Should indicate a proposed timeline and
MLA (Modern Language Association) is for budget for the entire project. To persuade the
arts and humanities. It helps you to break company or funding agency on the benefits of
down citing paintings, books, and other your research project– whether it be an
literature. increase in sales or productivity or for the
benefit of the general public.
APA (American Psychological
Association) is designed for technical works
found in social sciences. This format makes 4. Feasibilty Study Concept Paper -
citing journals and technical reports a breeze. detailed analysis that considers all the critical
aspects of a proposed project in order to
determine the likelihood of it succeeding. A
Various Kind of Concept Paper
company may conduct a feasibility study
1. Academic Research Concept Paper - the when it's considering launching a new
most common type and the one most people business, adding a new product line, or
are familiar with. Concept papers for acquiring a rival.
academic research are used by students to
- Assesses the potential for success of the
provide an outline for their prospective
proposed plan or project by defining its
research topics.
expected costs and projected benefits in
- Used to help students flesh out all the detail.
information and ideas related to their topic so
that they may arrive at a more specific
research hypothesis 5. Event/Project Proposal Concept Paper -
An event or project proposal is a tool used by
planners to compile several details for an
2. Advertising Concept Paper - usually upcoming event or project.
written by the creative and concept teams in
- Proposals are comprehensive documents
advertising and marketing agencies.
that planners create at the early stages of the
- Usually discusses who the target audience planning process. Common for planners to
of the campaign is, what approach of the draft a proposal to show to a potential client
campaign will be, how the campaign will be before being hired for the job.
ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES 3RD Quarter

- Proposal clearly conveys your skills and

expertise as a planner and provides 4. Diagrams - A drawing that shows
examples for your client to fully understand arrangements and relations. A graphic design
your vision for the event or project that you that explains rather than represents.
want to implement.
Venn Diagram is probably one of the
most popular types of diagram due to its
Classification of Visuals simplicity yet ability to summarize details.
1. Charts - Uses lines, boxes, and arrows
when presenting data. Its principal purpose is 5. Visual Images - Pictures or photographs.
to show ranks, levels, classifications, and Providing visual images to reports and
orders. The two most common charts are the concept papers can surely support and in
organizational charts (also called organigram some cases, add information. If taken well,
or organogram) which can be found in many
these images can likewise add aesthetics to
offices, and the other one is the flow chart the output.
that tells about processes, orders, and steps.

6. Maps - Common addition to reports

2. Tables - Systematic arrangement of data especially when presenting data about places
usually in rows and columns for ready or areas. Since maps are usually presented
reference. A row is a list of items presented with numerical data, using them can
straight across a table while a column somehow break the monotony of numbers in
presents data vertically. In interpreting a a presentation
table, it is important that the title was
understood since it is the primary source as
to what the table is about. Whether the data
presented are updated or not, checking will
not harm. Since many tables present
numerical data, they also have to be
accurate.

3. Graphs - focused on the data in question

and how they trend. They have exact
numerical figures shown on axes, usually
organized on the left and bottom of the graph.
Common graph types include dot-and-line
and bar graphs.
Graphs are most commonly used in
analyses and situations that call for raw and
exact. Some of the common types of graphs
are: bar, line, pie, and pictograph.
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