English for Academic

and Professional
Purposes

Second Semester – Module 1

DIFFERENTIATING LANGUAGES USED IN
ACADEMIC TEXTS FROM VARIOUS
DISCIPLINES

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES

Name of Learner: ______________________________ Grade Level: ____________

Section: ______________________________________ Score: _________________

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

DIFFERENTIATING LANGUAGES USED IN ACADEMIC TEXTS

FROM VARIOUS DISCIPLINES

Background Information for Learners

Generally, academic writing is formal, objective, and technical. It is formal by avoiding

casual or conversational language, such as contractions or informal vocabulary. Also, it is
impersonal or objective by avoiding direct reference to people or feelings, and instead focusing
on factual information. It is technical by using vocabulary specific to the discipline.

Different disciplines also have different styles and structures of writing. For example,
some disciplines, such as in the humanities, expect longer paragraphs, which include topic
sentences to show how your argument is structured. Other disciplines, for example in the
sciences, expect short paragraphs, with no topic sentences, which are denser in information.
As a student and a professional in the future, you must distinguish how various disciplines
write their academic texts. English as a language is used for many purposes, both in the
professional and academic setting. As a spoken language, English is better understood in a
conversational, matter-of-fact manner, although formality is still observed. In written form,
English in academic text uses more sophisticated vocabulary, adapts a formal tone, reflects
objectivity by focusing on the information, and has a rigid technical structure often prescribed by
the professional organization publishing the text.
To be a good academic writer and an effective reader of academic texts, you must learn the
specific styles and structures for your discipline, as well as for each individual writing task.

ACADEMIC TEXT: How is this different from common, creative text?

An academic text is a reading material that provides information which include concepts
and theories that are related to the specific discipline. Academic writing in English is linear
which means it has one central point or theme with every part contributing to the main line of
argument, without digressions or repetitions.
While a creative text aims to entertain, an academic text aims to inform, to argue a specific
point, and to persuade. Its structure requires sophisticated use of language. Our tasks will include
writing for assignments, exams, and reports. There is an expected quality in your use of language
and structure of texts.
There are five important features of language used in academic texts:
 Formality reflects the dignified standpoint of your writing as a member of the academic
community. This means that since your audience are fellow members of the academic
community, the language you use requires precision to make it a ―legitimate‖ piece of academic
writing
Formality can be achieved through the following ways:

 Avoiding colloquial words and expressions such as stuff, a lot, and thing.

 Avoiding contracted forms of modals such as can’t, doesn’t, and shouldn’t. Instead,
choose their expanded forms such as cannot, does not, and should not.

 Avoiding two-word verbs such as put off, bring up, and look up. Instead, choose their
formal and one-word counterpart such as postponed, mention, admire.

 Avoid using abbreviated forms such as ASAP, c/o, dept. Instead, choose their expanded
terms such as soon as possible, care of, department.

Objectivity in academic writing requires an impersonal manner. The writer must distance
himself from the discussion by being impartial and factual. Objectivity can be achieved through
the following:
1. Avoid the use of personal pronouns such as you, I and we. Instead, refer to the person as
to their profession or role.

Example:
We measured the liquid accurately.
The researchers measured the liquid accurately

2. Avoid emotive language that shows biases and lessens objectivity.

Example:
The researchers were disappointed with the outcome of the study.
The researchers did not expect the results.

3. Place emphasis on the information rather than the writer or the reader.
Example:
How can we solve the problems?
There are certain methods to be discovered to solve the problems.

Explicitness allows readers to trace how the various parts of the text are related. This
can be achieved by the use of signaling words.

Example:

1. The government hopes to provide assistance to the workers affected by the temporary
closure of business establishments. However, certain procedures and protocol must be
followed before a budget is released.
 2. The study revealed modified solution 1 is an ideal preservative for the muscles and
organs of the specimen. Similarly, the data revealed that the solution is good for
preserving the specimen for up to five months.

Caution requires a writer to avoid making generalizations. Academic texts provide

knowledge build from proven theories and concepts. You must not include statements which are
incorrect and misleading.

Structure in the sentences of academic texts must show a level of complexity that
reflects sophistication of an academic writer. Combining ideas effectively, nominalization, and
using passive construction are some ways to achieve structure suitable for academic writing.

Example:

The typhoon was a disaster. It caused loss of life. It caused massive property damage
also. It changed the landscape of the town.

The typhoon was a disaster that caused loss of life, massive property damage, and
permanent changes in the landscape.

Learning Competency with Code:

 MELC: Differentiating language used in academic texts from various disciplines

(CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-Ia-c-2)
 CG: Differentiating language used in academic texts from various disciplines
(CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-Ia-c-2)

Directions:

Welcome to the enhanced modality of learning in the 21st century! This will be the new
normal of learning for this school year while we face this pandemic. This module was specially
crafted to maximize your learning even as we do not engage in face-to-face teaching.

I encourage you to stay focused as you are directed with five activities so you can
understand the most essential competencies in English for Academic and Professional Purposes.
Particularly, this learning activity sheet deals with the development of reading strategies for
academic texts by learning to differentiate the languages used in academic texts in various
disciplines.
 A learning contract is also included so we can set an agreement to complete this activity.
Before we start, I would like you to complete the following statements below:

What I  ____________________________________
 ____________________________________
know
 ____________________________________

What I  ____________________________________
already  ____________________________________
know  ____________________________________

What I  ____________________________________
want to  ____________________________________
know  ____________________________________

Learning Contract

AGREEMENT: By signing the contract, you are hereby accepting the responsibility to
finish the activity package and submit it to your teacher (____________________) on
(____________________).

LOAD

Load up your armor by being familiar with these texts!

An academic text aims to inform, which is why it focuses on information instead of

entertainment. Its writing style, while creative, focuses on being factual and objective.

Read the following passages carefully. Then, decide whether the passage is an academic
text reflecting formality and objectivity by writing Formal or a literary text by writing Fiction.
 YOUR ANSWER
SAMPLE TEXT
(FORMAL or FICTION)
1. If the purpose of reading is established early on, the reader
will save time and improve comprehension skills.

2. He turned at the sound of his name. Beyond the light, he could

his friend, waving a fabric that resembles a flag. She was smiling
widely.

3. Synthesizing involves combining ideas and findings of

multiple sources in order to make an overall point. Instead of
summarizing the main points of each source, it involves looking
for similarities and differences between the sources.

4. Raul Tan Sim, 35, reported a crime of theft exactly 4:17 in the
morning of July 12. Eight minutes after the call, one patrol car
ridden by Henry G Solan and Orlan K. Bugat responded to the
call.

5. However, the seemingly unresolved problem in English

grammar proficiency in grammar still poses a greater need for a
more effective strategy in teaching English grammar. Several
strategies which have been claimed as either ineffective or
effective both by different beliefs had been held responsible for
the unresolved problem in English grammar proficiency.

6. I could use some comforting words right now, or a cup of

coffee. I really need some break here. The work assigned to me
is breaking me apart. I thought it was important, but it was only
for show.

7. A rumbling was heard, louder every second. Suddenly, the

ground was awash with snow – white, cold, heavy. Their greatest
fear became a reality; an avalanche was threatening to bury them
alive.

8. Okay, it’s notable for the country that you have other Chinese
President already kicking off his state visit. Today is the first
day. And yet the Filipino people have spoken. When it comes to
the China issue, they don’t trust China.

ENGAGE

Engage and gear-up!

 As a future______________, I want you to read the following texts carefully. Then,
choose from the options the correct discipline where the text belongs. Write the letter of your
answer on the space provided on column marked Choices.

ACADEMIC TEXT CHOICES

The growing popularity of wearable devices for leisure activities, A. Biology
professional sports and monitoring medical conditions has led to B. Chemistry
increasing interest in the development of batteries that are flexible C. Literature
enough to sit inside such devices. Until now, most research in this D. Performing Arts
field has concentrated on modifications to the ubiquitous lithium ion
batteries found, for example, in mobile phones. However, these
batteries – like the alkali ones in torches and alarm clocks – can self-
discharge, particularly when left unused for a long time. Your Answer:______

Friedrich Nietzsche notably referred to the Russian novelist Fyodor A. Biology

Dostoevsky as ―the only psychologist from whom I have anything to B. Chemistry
learn.‖ Dostoevsky’s ability to encapsulate the darkest and most C. Literature
twisted depths of the human psyche within his characters has had a D. Performing Arts
profound impact on those writers operating on the periphery of
society. Through research on his writing style, biography, and a close
reading of his novel Notes from the Underground I am exploring the
impact of his most famous outcast, the Underground Man, on
counterculture writers in America during the great subculture
upsurge of the 1950s and 60s. Ken Kesey, Allen Ginsberg and Jack
Kerouac employ both the universal themes expressed by the
Underground Man as well as more specific stylistic and textual
similarities. Your Answer:______

As productions turn away from resurrecting museum pieces, A. Biology

integrating costumes from two different historical periods has B. Chemistry
become more popular. This research project focuses on what makes C. Literature
costume integration successful. A successful integration must be D. Performing Arts
visually compelling, but still gives character depth and tell the story
of the play. By examining several Shakespearean theatre productions,
this paper has pinpointed the key aspects of each costume integration
that successfully assist the production. Your Answer:______

Frederick Griffith, established that there was a transforming principle A. Biology

in bacterial genetics in a ground-breaking experiment, performed in B. Chemistry
1928. He postulated that information could somehow be transferred C. Literature
between different strains of bacteria. This was long before the D. Performing Arts
discovery of DNA and was an inspired piece of scientific detective
work. Your Answer:______

ADVANCE
Advance your stance by recognizing differences!

One of the skills of a good reader is to recognize a formal, objective, explicit and well-
structured text. Read the instructions in every section, and write your answer on the spaces
provided.

A. Underline the words or expressions considered as colloquial or informal

Example: The technical equipment needed a lot of tuning up.

Answer: The technical equipment needed a lot of tuning up.

1. Experts determined that a lot of health ingredients come from Korea.

2. Cauilan got together with Dr. Corpuz in conducting a study effectively enhancing the
fixation process of cadavers for dissection.

3. Writing can’t be done effectively if you don’t burn the midnight oil.

4. Parenting is a 24/7 job.

5. The council brought up the issue on awarding special recognition to students

B. Examine the following expressions and think of ways to reduce the impact of the
statements.

Example: The audio-visual component of the seminar was lousy.

Answer: The audio-visual component of the seminar must be improved.

1. He has bad breath. Answer: ___________________________________________

2. You need to eat this to be healthy. Answer: ______________________________

3. The different steps taken led to their failure. Answer: ______________________

4. All the fish died. Answer: _____________________________________________

5. What a disappointing result for a whole term’s worth of study.

Answer: ________________________________________________

C. Combine the sentences to make their structure complex and better fit for
academic writing.

Example: The company reported yearly profit growth.

 The company’s yearly profit growth stabilized in 2012.

Answer: The company reported that yearly profit growth stabilized in 2012.

1. The government’s deal with the public transport company was not successful. The
government’s deal with the public transport company will cause delays in projects.

The government’s deal with the public transport company will result in unsatisfied
citizens.

Answer: _________________________________________________________

2. Scientists conducted experiments.

Scientists examined the effects of algae on biodiversity.
Because of this, scientists observed that algae increased marine life activity.
Answer: __________________________________________________________
3. There was a rice shortage.
The rice shortage affected a number of Asian countries.
The rice shortage showed how unpredictable nature can be if we continue to be apathetic
about improving rice production.
Answer: __________________________________________________________

D. Restructure the sentences by using passivization.

Example: The agency has released the list of qualified applicants

Answer: The list of qualified applicants has been released.

1. Marketers need to make a quota every month to maintain sustainable growth.

Answer: __________________________________________________________

2. Nurses conducted workshops for those far-flung areas on health and sanitation.
Answer: __________________________________________________________

3. A number of students reported several cases of theft within the area.

Answer: __________________________________________________________

4. Guitar players constantly practice to ensure fault-free performance.

Answer: __________________________________________________________

5. The company acquired a number of contractors to render service to its consumers.

Answer: __________________________________________________________
REFINE

Refine your skills in analysis!

This time, read an excerpt of a research abstract and identify the mistakes committed in each
paragraph. You may opt to mark the error(s) by underlining them, and then write your revised
version on the second column. Based on the principles learned, specify the area of error
(language feature of academic text) you encountered on the box indicated.

TEXT REVISION

We use English as a medium of

instruction, especially in English-related
subjects. It has been an issue in education. The
effectiveness of conveyance determines the
learning outcomes of the students. Proficiency
in English skills has been brought up as a great
determinant in becoming employed. English
skills proficiency includes writing. Also, it
includes reading comprehension, and a good
working vocabulary. This could be applied or
used in practical working environment such as
writing communications, interpersonal
activities and interpretation and relaying
instructions.
There are students who are really bad at
grammar, so teaching grammar among students
of English has become more stressful over the
years as both teachers and students face the
need to constantly use varying teaching styles
and strategy to conform to the students’
learning styles.
Traditionally, English teachers would go
all-out English in teaching grammar – any use
of code-switching was frowned upon. This is
due to the belief that a student should adapt to
the language even while learning it.

Area of errors encountered

NURTURE

Nurture your knowledge!

 There are two academic texts below that are written for different disciplines. Read each
of them carefully and determine the specific discipline that published these two texts. Write an
analysis of their differences by focusing on the following elements: use of vocabulary, sentence
structure, and topic sentence.

TEXT A

THE STORY OF THE OTHER NATIVITY

In the Holy Qu’ran’s version, there was no Joseph, nor a star. There was no gold, or
myrrh, or frankincense. Only Jesus and Mary and a palm tree.

There was a story that arrived on Philippine shores at least 356 years before the arrival of
the Spaniards to bring in the initial vestiges of the Christian belief system to the Filipino people.
The story was that of the birth of Iesa, the Islamic name of Jesus, as described in the Holy
Qu’ran. There was no manger. It was a birth with no magnificent star in the night to lead no three
magis, who bore no gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. There were no shepherds. There was
no Joseph. But there was a tree, a palm tree, and flowing water.

The story started with Maryam withdrawing, in seclusion from her family, to a place
facing east. There, the angel Jibrael appeared before her in the form of a man. Appalled, she said
that she sought refuge with God. The angel replied he was only a messenger of God, sent to
announce the gift of a righteous Son. But she could not possibly have a son, she said, since no
man had touched her and that she had not been unchaste. The angel answered that God did this
as a sign to mankind, and that this matter was already decreed.

And so, Maryam conceived the Child, and went to a far off place. When the appointed
time came, the pains of childbirth drove her beneath the shade of a date palm tree, lamenting,
―Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight.‖

Then a cry from below came—unclear still whether it was the Child or Jibrael—telling
her not to grieve, and that the Lord had provided a stream of water under her. And if she would
just shake the tree, fresh ripe dates would fall upon her. She was told to eat and drink, and if she
would see a human being, she should say that she had vowed a fast unto the Most Beneficent and
not speak to anyone that day.

EXCERPT, “The Story of the Other Nativity”, Dr. Jesus B. Peralta,

https://ncca.gov.ph/2015/12/22/the-story-of-the-other-nativity/

TEXT B
 DIWATA-1

The baseline design of the 50-kilogram micro-satellite is assigned to Tohoku University

while Hokkaido University is tasked with the payload and thermal design.

The payload subsystem includes a high-precision telescope (HPT) with 3-meter spatial
resolution and bands R\G\B\NIR. The HPT will provide surface reflectance data with its derived
products which will be used mostly for damage extent determination during disasters and
calamities. It can also be used for imaging natural and cultural heritage sites.

The second payload is a space-borne multi-spectral imager (SMI) with liquid crystal
tunable filter (LCTF), which has an 80-meter spatial resolution. The LCTF allows for image
capture to be taken at 10 nanometer increments from 420nm – 650nm for the visible range and
700nm – 1050nm for the near infrared region. Space products derived from this payload can be
used to determine the health and composition of the ocean, identify distribution and magnitude
of harmful algal blooms, and monitor coastal ecosystems.

With a spatial resolution of 7 kilometers, the wide field camera can used to complement
current weather forecasting capabilities. This sensor can potentially image cloud formations and
typhoons. Other subsystems included are command and data handling, attitude determination and
control, telemetry tracking and command, and power supply system.

PHL Microsat, https://phl-microsat.upd.edu.ph/diwata1

WRITING PROMPT

AN ANALYSIS

Write your analysis on the difference/s on the language used in the two academic texts you read.

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

(You may use another sheet if necessary)

TEXT ANALYSIS ESSAY RUBRICK

 Beginning Developing Proficiency Mastery
Score
(2pts.) (3pts.) (4pts.) (5pts.)
Critical Analysis Essay shows little Essay repeats Essay displays Essay displays
or no evidence that and summarizes an excellent
readings were basic, correct understanding understanding
completed or information, but of the required of the required
understood. Essay does not link readings and readings and
is largely personal readings to underlying underlying
opinions or evidence and concepts concepts
feelings about the does not including including
text. consider correct use of correct use of
alternative terminology terminology.
perspectives or correct use of correct use of
connections terminology terminology.
between ideas. and proper Evidence from
citation. the text
supports
important
points
Thesis/Focus Thesis is missing. Thesis may be Thesis is Develops fresh
Reader cannot obvious or somewhat insight that
- Originality determine thesis unimaginative. original. Thesis challenges the
and purpose OR Thesis and and purpose reader’s
- Clarity thesis has no purpose are are fairly clear thinking.
relation to the somewhat and match the Thesis and
writing task. vague OR only writing task. purpose are
loosely related clear to the
to the writing read; closely
task match the
writing task
Organization Unclear Some signs of Organization Fully and
organization OR logical supports thesis imaginatively
organizational plan organization. and purpose. supports thesis
is inappropriate to May have Sequence of and purpose.
thesis. No abrupt or ideas could be Sequence of
transitions. illogical shifts improved. ideas is
and ineffective Transitions are effective.
flow of ideas. mostly Transitions are
appropriate. effective.
Support/Reasoning Offers simplistic, Offers Offers solid Substantial,
undeveloped, or somewhat but less logical, and
- Ideas cryptic support for obvious support original concrete
the ideas. that may be too reasoning. development of
- Details Inappropriate or broad. Details Assumptions ideas.
off topic are too general, are not always Assumptions
generalizations, not interpreted, recognized or are made
faulty assumptions, irrelevant to made explicit. explicit.
errors of fact. thesis, or Contains some Details are
inappropriately appropriate relevant,
repetitive. details or original, and
 examples. convincingly
interpreted.
Use of Sources and Neglects important Uses relevant Uses sources to Uses sources to
Documentation sources or overuses sources but support, support,
quotations or lacks in variety extend, and extend, and
paraphrase to of sources inform, but not inform, but not
substitute writer’s and/or the substitute substitute
own ideas. skillful writer’s own writer’s own
(Probably uses combination of development of development of
source material sources. ideas. Doesn’t ideas. Source
without Quotations and overuse quotes, material is
acknowledgement.) paraphrases but may not announced by
may be too long always a signal phrase
and/or conform to and ended with
inconsistently MLA format. in-text
referenced. citations.

TEXT ANALYSIS ESSAY RUBRIC:

https://www.saintpaul.edu/aei/Documents/Text%20Analysis%20Rubric.pdf

REFLECTION

How will this lesson help you in fulfilling your roles in the future?
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You have successfully finished this module! Great job!

Congratulations!