ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC

AND PROFESSIONAL
PURPOSES
LESSON 13: WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT

ROY S. CAPANGPANGAN, LPT

SHS T-II
Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic
& Professional Purposes for SHS. Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc.

1
Writing a
Research
Report 2
 Objectives

By the end of the lesson, you will have been able

to:
• Determine the purpose and features of various
kinds of reports;
• Gather data through surveys, experiments, and
observation;
• Write a report that summarizes the findings
though narratives and visual forms;
• Define the context when writing a report;
• Use transitions to connect ideas; and
• Write various kinds of report effectively.
3
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 Let’s Warm Up!
Writing a research report does not mean using
extremely sophisticated words.
Work with a partner.
Below are verbose sentences which are actually
common words of wisdom or sayings. Decode
the meaning of each.
1) Scintillate, scintillate, asteroid minutia.
2) Surveillance should precede salvation.
3) Members of an avian species of identical plumage
congregate.
4) It is fruitless to become lachrymose over precipitately
departed lacteal fluid.
Source: danielpaulnock.efoliomn.com/uploads/verbositykey.doc 4
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:_n4rINKLydoJ:danielpaulnock.efoliomn.com/
 Let’s Warm Up!
Writing a research report does not mean using
extremely sophisticated words.
Work with a partner.
Below are verbose sentences which are actually
common words of wisdom or sayings. Decode
the meaning of each.
5) The stylus is more potent than the claymore.
6) Freedom from encrustations of grime is contagious to
rectitude.
7) That which possesses gleaming, glistening, splendorous
sparkle is not automatically anatomically atomic number
79.

Source: danielpaulnock.efoliomn.com/uploads/verbositykey.doc 5
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:_n4rINKLydoJ:danielpaulnock.efoliomn.com/
 Let’s Warm Up!
Writing a research report does not mean using
extremely sophisticated words.
Work with a partner.
Below are verbose sentences which are actually
common words of wisdom or sayings. Decode
the meaning of each.
8) It is common for mankind to be amiss in the commission
of an omission, but permission for remission is the
mission of providence.
9) Veracity ascertains emancipation.
10)The person representing the ultimate cachinnation
possesses thereby the optimal cachinnation.

Source: danielpaulnock.efoliomn.com/uploads/verbositykey.doc 6
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:_n4rINKLydoJ:danielpaulnock.efoliomn.com/
 Let’s Warm Up!

Work in groups of five. Discuss the

following questions:
• In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a
good research?
• What are the habits of a good researcher?
• What are the dos and don’ts when writing a
research?

Present the answers to your

discussion through a three-minute
skit.
Source: danielpaulnock.efoliomn.com/uploads/verbositykey.doc 7
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:_n4rINKLydoJ:danielpaulnock.efoliomn.com/
 Self-Audit

Tick the column that determines how often you practice what
the following statements say. Do this as objectively as
possible. [3-Usually; 2-Sometimes; 1-Seldom; 0-Never]
1. I clarify my purpose and research questions before
writing a research report.
2. I incorporate all the necessary parts of a research report
such as introduction, literature review, methodology,
results and discussion, and conclusion.
3. I strictly follow a procedure when doing an experiment
or research.
4. I use appropriate tables and graphs in presenting data
or information.
5. I follow a particular flow of ideas when interpreting
tables and graphs.
8
Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Self-Audit
Tick the column that determines how often you practice what the
following statements say. Do this as objectively as possible. [3-
Usually; 2-Sometimes; 1-Seldom; 0-Never]
6. I validate the survey forms, questionnaires, or other
instruments before gathering data.
7. I align the content of my survey forms, questionnaires, or other
instruments to my research questions.
8. I organize my ideas for clarity of ideas.
9. I use reliable sources to support my ideas and cite them
appropriately.
10. I observe ethics when performing an experiment or research.

Add all your responses then divide it with 30.

28-30 Advanced 25-27 Proficient
23-24 Approaching Prof 21-22 Developing Proficient
20 and below Beginning Proficiency
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 Writing a Research Report
This lesson is a culmination of your journey
to become proficient in writing for academic
and professional purposes
Your primary goal as a student-researcher is
simply to have an opportunity to learn so as
to apply your knowledge in the future.
Research Reports:
1) Survey report
2) Field report
3) Laboratory and Scientific/Technical report
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 Writing a Research Report

WHAT IS RESEARCH?
RESEARCH—is a systematic and scientific
way of investigating and gathering
information to answer a particular problem,
establish facts, and reach conclusions.
--can be done in various fields: arts,
humanities, social sciences, natural
sciences, technology, and health sciences.
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 Writing a Research Report

Some of the RESEARCH

PAPERS in various fields
1)SURVEY REPORT—is a
paper which presents the
results of the author’s
research.
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 Writing a Research Report

Some of the RESEARCH

PAPERS in various fields
2) FIELD REPORT—is usually used in the
field of social sciences to link theory and
application.
--it usually contains the author’s observations
when out on the field and an analysis
using theoretical concepts from the
discipline. [Can be personal and simple]
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 Writing a Research Report

Some of the RESEARCH

PAPERS in various fields
3) LABORATORY OR
SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL REPORT—is
written by those in the sciences mainly to
persuade others to accept or reject a
hypothesis, record the details for future
researches, and document a current
phenomenon for future reference or
comparison. 14
Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

BEGIN—determine the topic;

Asking questions
Sample topics in Question Form:
a) How does the Mindanao peace
and order situation affect the
economy of the Philippines?
b) What are the psychological effects
of online games? 15
Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

CRITERIA to consider in
CHOOSING a TOPIC
1) A research topic should be
relevant
--a relevant topic addresses a
particular problem or issue.

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 Writing a Research Report

CRITERIA to consider in
CHOOSING a TOPIC
2) It should be interesting,
especially for the researcher
--interest and natural curiosity in
the topic will encourage greater
commitment to the research.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

CRITERIA to consider in
CHOOSING a TOPIC
3) A topic should be manageable
o it should be something you can undertake
within your ability and within the time limit
given to you.
o It should not be too broad, or too narrow,
and must be achievable using available
financial, human, and material resources.
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 Writing a Research Report

FORMULATE the THESIS

STATEMENT
Thesis Statement answers the
questions you previously asked to
narrow down the topic.
--it guides and serves as a central
point of all the idea in your paper.
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 Writing a Research Report

FORMULATE the THESIS

STATEMENT
GENERAL TOPIC Dieting
What are the major
TOPIC IN QUESTION
physical effects of too
FORM
much dieting?
Too much dieting can lead
to starvation, loss of
THESIS STATEMENT
strength, and different
diseases.
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 Writing a Research Report

FORMULATE the THESIS

STATEMENT
Thesis Statement contains three
details:
a) Starvation;
b) Strength; and
c) Different diseases.
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 Writing a Research Report

FORMULATE the THESIS

STATEMENT
These details can be used as a basis for specific
research questions.
Possible research questions:
a) How does too much dieting lead to starvation?
b) How does too much dieting lead to loss of
strength?
c) How does too much dieting lead to different
diseases?
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 Writing a Research Report

GUIDELINES OF A GOOD
RESEARCH QUESTION
1) A good research question should be
clear, especially to a layperson.
2) A good research question should require
the gathering of data to answer it.
3) A good research question should
address an observed problem or issue.
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 Writing a Research Report

GUIDELINES OF A GOOD
RESEARCH QUESTION
d. A good research question should be
manageable in terms of your skills and
resources.
e. A good research question should be
ethical.
f. A good research question should have a
practical use.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
Determine whether the following
research questions possess the
qualities discussed earlier.
 What is cloud seeding?
 Who is affected by Typhoon Yolanda?
 How does eating a lot of food make my
sibling feel?
 What is the best torture method to take
information from enemies of the state?
 How does gender discrimination negatively
affect women in the serve industry sector?
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 Writing a Research Report
is an expanded paper that presents
results and interpretation of a
phenomenon so that readers can
better understand it.
--it is not a summary of different articles or
ideas that are presented uncritically, nor is
it a series of quotations and a compilation
of unsubstantiated opinion.
--is produced through formal investigation and
scientific inquiry.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
Some of the requirements needed
to complete a research report
are the following:

o Topic (field specific or general)

o Type of paper (journal format or thesis
format)
o Length
o Number of sources required (usually at
least 10 reputable references)
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
Some of the requirements needed
to complete a research report
are the following:

o Types of sources (books, journals,

periodicals, and other online sources)
o Documentation style (APA, MLA, Chicago,
IEEE)
o Deadlines
o Format (depends on the documentation style)
o Parts of the research report
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 Writing a Research Report
PARTS OF A RESEARCH
REPORT
1. Title Page 8. Conclusion
2. Abstract 9. References
3. Introduction
4. Literature Review
5. Methodology
6. Results
7. Discussion
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
contains an informative title which
describes the content of the paper, name
of author/s and addresses or affiliation,
and date when it is submitted.

Samples:
o Effects of Facebook on Academic
Achievement of First Year Students
o Development and Validation of a Software
for Detecting Plagiarism

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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
Contains the summary of the
findings and conclusions

o It briefly presents the context of the study,

research questions or objectives,
methodology, major findings, conclusions,
and sometimes implications, with minimal
number of citations and statistical data.
o Its length ranges from 100 to 250 words.

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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
explains the current state of the field
of discipline and identifies research
gaps addressed by the research.
o It also presents the research focus in
a way that it addresses the identified
gaps and puts the research topic in
context.
o Its length usually ranges from three to
five paragraphs.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
contains the summary and synthesis
of all available sources directly
related to the study.
o It is divided into two sections: the
related concepts and related
studies which both help the
researcher explain the phenomena
which may arise during the study.

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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
contains the summary and synthesis
of all available sources directly
related to the study.
o Related Concepts explain some of the
fundamental concepts needed by readers
to better understand the study. In this
section, some concepts and theories are
defined, explained, and described.
o Related Studies are based on previously
conducted studies directly related to the
paper.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
contains the summary and synthesis
of all available sources directly
related to the study.
o This section ends with a paragraph
that synthesizes all of the studies
presented and puts the study in
context. Hence, the last paragraph
may include the topic and specific
research problems.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
contains the summary and synthesis
of all available sources directly
related to the study.
o Its length range from two or three
pages. Note that in some cases, the
literature review is integrated into the
introduction.

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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

contains the process and steps

taken in gathering data for the
research.
o This section contains the context and
participants, the instruments used,
data gathering procedure, and data
analysis.

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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

contains the process and steps

taken in gathering data for the
research.
o Context and Participants Section
explains the number and
demographic profile of participants
involved as well as the place or the
environment where the study was
conducted.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

contains the process and steps

taken in gathering data for the
research.
o Instrument Section presents the
tools that you used in gathering the
data. These may include a
questionnaire, interview, focus group
discussion, and tests among others.
39
Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

contains the process and steps

taken in gathering data for the
research.
o All of the Instruments used, as well
as the method of validating them,
should be described in detail.

40
Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

contains the process and steps

taken in gathering data for the
research.
o Data Gathering Section presents the
details on how the data were collected.
o Data Analysis Section presents how the
data are analyzed, whether it be
qualitatively (coding scheme) or
quantitatively (Statistical tools).
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

factually describes the data

gathered.
In interpreting graphs and tables, remember the
following:
o Your first sentence should contain the figure or
table number and the title.
o The succeeding sentences should focus on the
most important information in the graph or table.
o The trends or the gaps that you notice may be
included in the body of interpretation.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

factually describes the data

gathered.
o The interpretation should end with a
conclusion based on the given information.
o The flow of the results section should
follow the flow of the research
questions/problems/objectives. It is
expected that for each research problem or
objective, corresponding results are
presented.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

presents the why’s of the results.

o This section provides an explanation for all the
results in relation to the previous studies
presented in the literature review.
o In this section, you need to restate your research
problems or objectives in the first paragraph as
well as the major findings.
o The succeeding paragraphs should explain
whether the study supports or rejects the
previous findings and explain the reason for this.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

presents the why’s of the results.

o The new findings uncovered

should be stated here.
o As with the results section, the
discussion must follow the flow of
the research problems or
objectives.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

contains the restatement of major

findings, limitations of the study,
recommendations, and
implications.

o Note that in some cases, the

conclusion is integrated into the
discussion section.

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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report

contains the different sources

used in the study. These may be
academic books, journals, and
other online sources.

o Its format depends on the school,

teacher, or field of study.

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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
STEPS IN WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT

1) Select and narrow down the topic.

You may use any prewriting technique
such as freewriting, clustering, listing,
and brainstorming to focus on a topic.
2) Conduct a preliminary research by
gathering the initial references.
3) Formulate the thesis statement and
research questions.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
STEPS IN WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT

4) Prepare a preliminary outline.

5) Gather additional references. Use the
preliminary outline as a guide for this
stage.
6) Prepare the prefinal outline.
7) Prepare the necessary instruments for
your research.
49
Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
STEPS IN WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT

8) Pilot the instrument and revise

accordingly.
9) Gather the data.
10) Prepare the tables and graphs and
analyze the collected data.
11) Write the methodology and results
section.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
STEPS IN WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT

12) Write the introduction and literature

review.
13) Write the discussion. Be sure to link
the literature review to the discussion
section.
14) Write the conclusion.
15) Write the abstract.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
STEPS IN WRITING A RESEARCH REPORT

16) Prepare the reference list. List all

items that are cited in the body of your
paper.
17) Edit and format your paper.

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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A RESEARCH
REPORT
a) Fifty to seventy-five percent of the
paper should be devoted to results
and discussion.
b) Be sure to cite all your sources
whether they are paraphrased or
directly quoted.
c) Use direct quotation sparingly.
Paraphrase as much as possible.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A RESEARCH
REPORT
d) Strictly follow the required
documentation style.
e) Topics should be relevant, interesting,
current, and manageable in terms of
resources, skills, needed, and time.
They should not be too sensitive and
controversial as well.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Writing a Research Report
GUIDELINES IN WRITING A RESEARCH
REPORT
f) Research questions should directly
address the given topic or thesis
statement.
g) Use simple language and avoid
verbose words.

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 CHECKING FOR
UNDERSTANDING

Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
SHS. Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc.
56
 Checking for Understanding

Write T if the statement is true and F if

false.
1. A research report has a similar
format as an academic essay.

2. A thesis statement guides the flow

of a research report.

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 Checking for Understanding

Write T if the statement is true and F if

false.
3. The abstract should be written
prior to writing a conclusion.

4. An informative title is preferred

when writing a research report.

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 Checking for Understanding

Write T if the statement is true and F if

false.
5. Conclusion contains the details
of the findings obtained from the
study.

6. Gathering references can be

done recursively.
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 Checking for Understanding

Write T if the statement is true and F if

false.
7. It is better to have as many direct
quotations as possible.

8. Majority of the paper’s content

should be devoted to literature
review.
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 Checking for Understanding

Write T if the statement is true and F if

false.
9. Survey instruments should be
aligned to research questions.

10. Tables and graphs for the

gathered data are presented
under the introduction section.
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 Checking for Understanding

Write T if the statement is true and F if

false.
11. The discussion section presents
the procedure undertaken to
complete the study.

12. The introduction contains the

purpose and current state of the
field of discipline.
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 Checking for Understanding

Write T if the statement is true and F if

false.
13. The literature review contains the
explanation of relevant concepts
and related studies.

14. The methodology contains the

description of participants and
instruments.
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Barrot & Sipacio. (2017). Communicate Today ENGLISH for Academic & Professional Purposes for
 Checking for Understanding

Write T if the statement is true and F if

false.
15. Two different documentation
styles can be used in one
research report.

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 Let us Check!

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SHS. Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc.
65
 LET’S PRACTICE
ACADEMIC WRITING IN
PRACTICE

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SHS. Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc.
66
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
 Let’s Practice

Write three specific questions on the topic

“Effects of Facebook on Social, Academic, and
Physical Being of Senior High School
Students.”

Specific Question 1:
_____________________________________________
Specific Question 2:
_____________________________________________
Specific Question 3:
_______________________________________________

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 “The achievements of an
organization are the results
of the combined efforts of
each individual”
-Vince Lombardy-

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