Q1-Lesson 1 - Nature of Academic Texts

ENGLISH FOR
ACADEMIC AND
PROFESSIONAL
PURPOSES
MS. JENNYLYN N. GALANG
Subject Teacher
NATURE OF
ACADEMIC
TEXTS
What You Know
❏ What is the easiest and most
difficult writing assignment you
have done? What made them
difficult or easy?
Nature of Academic Text
❏ Academic text is defined as critical, objective,

specialized texts written by experts or
professionals in a given field using formal
language.
❏ Examples: Research Paper, Conference Paper,
Feasibility Study, Thesis/Dissertation, Reviews,
Essay, Academic Journals, Reports.
Academic Writing
❏ Is a process that starts with posing a questions,
problematizing a concept, evaluating an opinion, and ends
with answering the question or questions posed clarifying the
problem, evaluating an opinion, and/or arguing for a stand
❏ Its specific purpose is to inform, argue a specific point, and to
persuade
❏ It addresses a specific audience
Academic Text vs.Non-Academic Text
Characteristics Academic Text Non-Academic Text
Audience Academia Mass Public
Purpose Inform the readers with solid Inform, entertain or persuade

evidence the readers
Style Formal and impersonal Personal, impressionistic,

emotional or subjective
Structure Standard structure No rigid structure
Language Formal language avoids Informal and casual language,

colloquialisms may contain
Subject/Content Shared historical events or Personal life and everyday

literature or other forms of events
knowledge
1. Structure
Unlike fiction or journalistic writing, the overall structure
of an academic text is formal and logical (Introduction, Body,
Conclusion). It must be cohesive and possess a logically
organized flow of ideas; this means that various parts are
connected to form a unified whole.
2. Tone
The overall tone refers to the attitude conveyed in a piece
of writing. The arguments of others are fairly presented and
with an appropriate narrative tone.
3. Language
It is important to use unambiguous language. Clear topic
sentences enable a reader to follow your line of thinking
without difficulty.
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.
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.
Common Text Structures
1. Compare-Contrast Structure
This type of text structure examines the

similarities and differences between two or more
people, events, concepts, ideas, etc. The selection
below uses compare and contrast sentence structure.
Example: Most mobile phones sold today have an operating system
that is either designed by Apple or Google. Both of these operating
systems allow users to connect to application stores and download
applications. However, one major difference between these two
operating systems is that Apple makes the iOS operating system
powering their iPhones and iPads. In other words, the iOS
operating system only appears on products created by Apple. On
the other hand, Google makes the Android operating system that
can be found on many different mobile phones and tablets like
Samsung, Sony and LG. So, which operating system do you prefer -
Android or iOS?
2. Cause-Effect Structure
This structure presents the casual relationship
between a specific event, idea, or concept and the
events, ideas, or concept that follow. An action and its
results are explained.
Example: In the Philippines, it is the brown race that
constitutes the majority and the white or mestizo is
the minority. It follows, therefore, that the mean and
measure in judging beauty is the Malay skin, hair,
eyes, nose, lips, body, and stance. As a result, film
producers and directors consciously build up stars
whose dominant features are Malay like Nora Aunor,
Angel Locsin, John Lloyd Cruz and Daniel Padilla.
3. Sequence Structure
This text structure gives readers a

chronological order of events or a list of steps in a
procedure
Example: Egg is good for our health. One of the simplest recipe for
egg is omelette. It sounds like an expensive dish but actually it is
very affordable and easy to cook. To make an omelette like a pro,
precook the toppings such as minced onions and garlics, shred
cheese, sliced tomatoes and other fresh herbs. Next, crack the eggs
into a bowl and add a splash of water. The steam from the water
makes the omelette light and fluffy. Then, whisk the egg-water
mixture vigorously with a fork until the whites and yolks are
completely blended. After that, heat the pan and add enough oil or
butter in it. Pour the egg mixture into the hot pan and let the egg set
along the edges. After few seconds, sprinkle the precooked toppings.
Don’t forget then to season with salt and pepper. That’s it! You have
made the perfect omelette for breakfast
4. Descriptive Structure
This type of text structure describes something in order

of space and how something looks. It features a detailed
description of something to give the reader a mental
picture.
Example: Galileo was a thoughtful youth and doubtless
carried on a rich and varied reverie. He had artistic
ability and might have turned out to be a musician or
painter. When he had dwelt among the monks at
Valambros, he had been tempted to lead the life of a
religious. As a boy, he busied himself with toy machines
and he inherited a fondness for mathematics. All these
facts are of record.
5. Problem-Solution Structure
This type of structure sets up a problem or problems,

explains the solution, and then discusses the effects of the
solution.
Example: Dr. Ramos doesn’t want the eagles to vanish.
These Philippine giant birds are disappearing at an
alarming rate. Dr. Ramos thinks that we should
demand the government to plan for immediate action
in the preservation of this specie. He also thinks that
we should donate to Save the Eagles. Our donations
will help to support and empower those who are
fighting the hardest to preserve the eagles. With this,
we can make a difference. We owe it to our helping and
caring hands to do something.
6. Question - Answer Structure
This text structure starts by posing a question then

goes on to answer that question.
Example: Why do we have schools? Schools deal important
role in the society and they have three main functions. First,
students learn skills that will help prepare them for society.
Writing, reading, and mathematics are essential in global
market and workplace and individuals likely learn these
skills in schools. Second, schools serve communities by
providing safe havens for students in temporary living
situations. Third, schools provide a conducive environment
for children to engage in productive activities during many
days of the year while their adult caretakers may be
working. These are the reasons why we have schools in our
society.
Review: Match to Know!
Direction: Match the group of words in Column A to their meanings in Column
B. Write only the letter of your choice in the space provided.
Column B
Column A a. explains how to do it or how it happens
___1. Compare – Contrast b. specifies only the consequences of the action
___2. Cause-Effect c. starts by posing a question then goes on to answer
___3. Sequence that question
___4. Problem-Solution d. shows what is in common and what is different
___5. Descriptive e. gives the reader a mental picture
___6.. Question-Answer f. discusses advantages and disadvantages
g. g. presents the action and its result h. suggests
appropriate actions to address certain issue

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ENGLISH FOR

❏ Academic text is defined as critical, objective,

Audience Academia Mass Public

Purpose Inform the readers with solid Inform, entertain or persuade

Style Formal and impersonal Personal, impressionistic,

Structure Standard structure No rigid structure

Language Formal language avoids Informal and casual language,

Subject/Content Shared historical events or Personal life and everyday

This type of text structure examines the

This text structure gives readers a

This type of text structure describes something in order

This type of structure sets up a problem or problems,

This text structure starts by posing a question then

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