Lesson 1 - Academic Language Used From Various Disciplines

Lesson 1 – Academic
Language used from

Various Disciplines
Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lessons, you will be able to:
1. Differentiate language used in academic texts from various
disciplines.
2. Determine the structure of a specific academic text.
3. Explain the specific ideas contained in various academic texts.
4. Use knowledge of text structure to glean the information
he/she needs.
5. Use various techniques in summarizing a variety of academic
texts.
Academic Language used from Various
Disciplines
Nature and Characteristics of an Academic Text
An academic text is a written language that
provides information, which contain ideas and
concepts that are related to the particular
discipline. Essay, Research Paper, Report, Project,
Article, Thesis, and Dissertation are considered as
academic texts.
1. Structure
The basic structure that is used by an academic
text is consist of three (3) parts introduction,
body, and conclusion which is formal and logical.
This kind of structure enables the reader to follow
the argument and navigate the text. In academic
writing a clear structure and a logical flow are
imperative to a cohesive text.
2. Tone
This refers to the attitude conveyed in a piece of
writing. The arguments of others are fairly
presented and with an appropriate narrative
tone. When presenting a position or argument
that disagrees with one’s perspectives, describe
the argument accurately without loaded or biased
language.
3. Language
• It is important to use unambiguous language.
Clear topic sentences enable a reader to follow
your line of thinking without difficulty. Formal
language and the third person point_x0002_of-
view should be used.Technical language
appropriate to area of study may also be used,
however, it does not mean using “big words” just
for the sake of doing so.
4. Citation
• Citing sources in the body of the paper and
providing a list of references as either footnotes
or endnotes is a very important aspect of an
academic 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.
5. Complexity
• An academic text addresses complex issues
that require higher-order thinking skills to
comprehend.
6. Evidence-based Arguments
What is valued in an academic text is that
opinions are based on a sound
understanding of the pertinent body of
knowledge and academic debates that
exist within, and often external to a
specific discipline.
7. Thesis Driven
•The starting point of an academic text is
a particular perspective, idea or position
applied to the chosen research problem,
such as establishing, proving, or
disproving solutions to the questions
posed for the topic.
Features of Academic Texts
1. Complex
- Written language has no longer words, it is
lexically more varied vocabulary.
- Written texts are shorter and the language has
more grammatical complexity, including more
subordinate clauses and more passives.
2. Formal
- Should avoid colloquial words and expressions.
3. Precise
- Facts are given accurately and precisely.
4. Objective
- has fewer words that emphasize on the information you want
to give and the arguments you want to make
- mostly use nouns (adjectives), rather than verbs (adverbs)
5. Explicit
- It is the responsibility of the writer in English to make it clear to the reader
how the various parts of the text are related.
6. Accurate
- Uses vocabulary accurately
- Most subjects have words with narrow specific meanings.
7. Hedging
- It is necessary to make decisions about your stance on a particular subject,
or the strength of the claims you are making.
Features of Academic Text
8. Responsible
- You must be responsible for and must be able to provide evidence and
justification for any claims you make.
9. Organize
- Well-organized.
- It flows easily from one section to the next in a logical fashion.
10. Plan
- Well-planned.
- It usually takes place after research and evaluation, according to specific
purpose and plan.
Purposes in Academic Writing
1. To locate a main idea;
2. To scan for information;
3. To identify gaps in existing studies;
4. To connect new ideas to existing ones;
5. To gain more pieces of information;
6. To support a particular writing assignment; and,
7. To deeply understand an existing idea.
Factors to Consider in Writing Academic
Text
1.State critical questions and issues;
2. Provide facts and evidence from credible sources;
3. Use precise and accurate words while avoiding
jargon;
4. Take an objective point of view;
5. List references; and,
6. Use cautious language.
Academic Language
• Academic language is the language needed by
students to do the work in schools. It includes, for
example, discipline-specific vocabulary, grammar and
punctuation, and applications of rhetorical
conventions and devices that are typical for a content
area (e.g., essays, lab reports, discussions of a
controversial issue.) Students who master academic
language are more likely to be successful in academic
and professional settings.
Social Language
• It is the set of vocabulary that allows us to
communicate with others in the context of
regular daily conversations.

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