structure and features of academic text
TRANSCRIPT
English for
Academic Purposes
EAP
focuses instruction on skills required to perform in an English-speaking academic context across core subject areas generally encountered in a university setting
Structure of academic texts
three-part essay structure the reader is introduced to the topic that
will be discussed and to the argument that will be presented
the discussion/analysis is carried out and the results are presented
the argument is summed up and conclusions are drawn
introduction
to provide the reader with a clear idea of the focus and aim of the text
the topic of the essay/article will be presented in the introduction,
often accompanied by a thesis statement (the claim that the writer wishes to make)
introduction
provides the context/background of the argument
introduces the theoretical perspectives, terminology, etc. that will be used
explains how the writing will be organised
Body
where the essay's (or article's) argument, ideas and results are developed and discussed
conclusion
should not contain any new facts or ideas, but rather function as a brief restatement of the main arguments and facts that have been treated in the essay
Academic Writing process that starts with:
Posing a questionProblematizing a conceptEvaluating an opinionAnswering the question/questions posed orClarifying the problem orArguing for a stand
Purposes
to inform
to argue a specific point
to persuade
Features of
Academic Texts
COMPLEX
Written language has longer words, it is lexically more dense and it has a more varied vocabulary.
Written texts are shorter and the language has more grammatical complexity, including more subordinate clauses and more passives.
FORMAL
should avoid colloquial words and expressions
PRECISE
Facts are given accurately and precisely
OBJECTIVE
objective rather than personalhas fewer words that refer to
the writer or the readermain emphasis should be on the
information that you want to give and the arguments you want to make, rather than you
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
ACCURATE
uses vocabulary accuratelymost subjects have words with
narrow specific meanings
HEDGING
it is necessary to make decisions about your stance on a particular subject, or the strength of the claims you are making
RESPONSIBLE
you must be responsible for, and must be able to provide evidence and justification for, any claims you make.
You are also responsible for demonstrating an understanding of any source texts you use