English for Academic and

Professional Purposes

Quarter 1
Module 1: Understanding Language in
Academic Writing.

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paper-3033204_640.jpghttps://pixabay.com/en/paper-messy-notes-abstract-papers3033204/

English for Academic and Professional Purposes- Grade 11

Quarter 1 – Module 1: Understanding Language in Academic Writing.

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the
Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks,
etc.) included in this book are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has
been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective
copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over
them.

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Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad
Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writers: Analyn G. Lagrimas

Editors: John Edward Atiwag, MT 1/ John Edward Atiwag, MT 1

Reviewers: Emma Dasco, EPS / Darcy Guy Manebo, EPS

Illustrator: Analyn G. Lagrimas

Layout Artist: Analyn G. Lagrimas

I. Introduction:
Having a complete grasp of what is academic text and understanding its
characteristics allows the learner how to distinguished it from various kinds of discipline. The
language use in composing such text requires careful analysis of the content relevant to the
objective of the written work. In this lesson, you are expected to understand the distinction of
language used in academic texts from various disciplines.

II. Objectives:
Most Essential Learning Competency: Differentiates language used in academic texts
from various disciplines.( CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-Iac-4)
At the end of the lesson you are expected to:

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 1.Define academic writing and its features;
2.Distinguish academic writing from other kinds of writing;
3.Appreciate the importance of language in academic writing by analyzing sample
text.

III. Vocabulary List

Here are the words that can help you understand the entire module. Definition was derived
from the Merriam Webster Dictionary mobile application.

 Accuracy
The feature of academic writing that uses vocabulary accurately.
 Audience
A reading, viewing, or listening public.  In academic text the people who will read
your paper.
 Complexity
The feature of academic writing wherein written language is relatively more complex
than spoken language.
 Explicitness
The feature in academic writing that allows the language fully revealed or express
without vagueness to the reader.
 Features
A prominent part or characteristics.
 Formality
An established form or procedure that is required or conventional.
 Hedging
The use of linguistic devices to express hesitation or uncertainty as well as to
demonstrate politeness and indirectness.
 Language
The words, their pronunciation, and the methods of combining them used and
understood by a community.
 Organization
The condition or manner of being organized.
 Objectivity
The quality or character of being objective; lack of favoritism toward one side or
another; freedom from bias.
 Planning
The act or process of making or carrying out plans.
 Precision
The quality or state of being precise; exactness.
 Responsibility
The quality or state of being responsible such as moral, legal or mental
accountability.
 Text
Something considered as an object to be examined, explicated or deconstructed.
 Words
A speech sound or series of speech sounds that symbolizes and communicates a
meaning usually without being divisible into smaller units capable of independent
use.

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 IV. Pre-Test
Directions: Read each statement carefully and write the word PAK if the statement is true
and GANERN if the statement is false in your data notebook.

_______________1. Academic writing is a type of writing produced by student in an

academic setting which is impersonal and formal.
_______________2. Formal language use is the characteristics of academic writing which
distinguishes it from a creative writing and personal writing.
_______________3. Academic writing is just writing, it is just putting all the letters in the
paper and there is no thinking at all.

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_______________4. Language consideration is not important when writing an academic
writing.
_______________5. Knowing the characteristics of academic writing allows student to
distinguishes it from other kinds of writing.

V. Learning Activities
Practice Activity 1. Let’s Review!
As a student, there are numerous kinds of writing activity that you have done for
specific subject. Starting from the simple autobiography in elementary to a long descriptive
essay to a very complex and in-depth research paper. With the reading and writing skills that
you develop along the way to Senior High School, refresh your memory and answer the
following questions below. Copy the question and write your answer in your data notebook.

1. What is the easiest writing

assignment you have done so far?
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 2. How about the most difficult
writing assignment you have done?

3. What do you think is the reason that

made the writing assignment difficult or
easy?

4. Have you done any academic

essay, book reviews, literature
reviews, research reports,
project proposal, position paper
and reaction paper?

5. Based on your answer,

what do you think is
academic writing and its
difference from other
kinds of writing?

Practice Activity 2. Let’s Text Twist It!

Directions: Below are the jumbled words that contains the characteristics of
academic writing, arranged the letter and form the words. Express your idea about
the words you have form by answering the guide question and write your answer in
your data notebook.

O F M A R L

B O E J T C I E V

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2. _______________________
1. _______________________
M I E P S R N A L O
Guide Questions:

1. What words have you form from the jumbled letters?

2. What is your idea about the word?
3. Do you think those words are characteristics of academic writing? Why or why
not?

Practice Activity 3. Let’s Distinguish It!

3. _______________________
For many years, you are exposed to different kind of written text but how are you
going to identify whether the text is an academic writing or not. In this activity, your task is to
read and evaluate these texts and answer the following questions after reading them. Copy
the questions and answer it in your data notebook.

TEXT A
Republic of the Philippines
REGIONAL TRIAL COURT
____________ Judicial Region
Branch____, ____________City

EX-PARTE MOTION FOR EXTENSION

TO SUBMIT COMPROMISE AGREEMENT

Defendants, by the undersigned counsel and unto the Honorable Court, respectfully state
that:

(1) On 5 January 2015, the Honorable Court, in open court, directed the Parties to
submit their Compromise Agreement within ten (10) days therefrom, or on 15
January 2015. Said day being a Sunday, the Parties have until the next working day,
16 January 2015, to submit said Compromise Agreement.

(2) Defendant Hannah Dy is presently abroad and needs to execute a Special Power of
Attorney authorizing her brother and Co-Defendant Roland Dy to sign the
Compromise Agreement on her behalf.

(3) Thus, the Defendants respectfully pray that the Parties be given additional fifteen
(15) days from today, or until 30 January 2015, within which to submit their
Compromise Agreement.

(4) This motion is not intended to delay the instant proceedings but filed solely by reason
of the foregoing. Moreover, the filing of the same will not result in any injustice or
prejudice to any of the parties herein.

Source: Saqueton, G.M. and Uychoco, M.T. English for Academic and Professional Purposes. Rex
Book Store: Manila, Philippines p.8

TEXT B

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Truth be told, Camarines Norte is not a part of people’s bucket list ideas. Many come to
Camarines Sur and Albay as these places are the most advertised in the media industry.
Little did we know, there are far greater sceneries Camarines Norte has to offer and here are
a few of them. This list ranges from places worth visiting while in the town to activities and
what to do’s while in Camarines Norte.

The very first monument was built 2 years after Jose Rizal’s execution in Daet, Camarines
Norte. It was declared a historical landmark and is now known as the oldest Rizal
Monument. The podium was inscribed with the titles and publication year of Rizal’s novels:
“Noli Me Tangere” (1887), “El Filibusterismo” (1891), and “Morga” (1889).

Camarines Norte is known for sweetest pineapple produce if not in the Philippines, the
world. You can definitely enjoy bits of pineapple without the sour taste. If cravings don’t
satisfy you, here are your what and where to eat list for Camarines Norte.

If you’re keen to see fresh fruits and veggies plus boars, livestock, and other wild animals,
this place is a good shot for adventure and learning. The farm is located in Sta. Rosa Sur,
Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte.

Source: Destacamento, Jerny (2018, September 27). Travel Guide: 11 Must-See and Do in
Camarines. The Jerny: Travel and Inspirations. https://thejerny.com/travel/travel-guide-camarines-
norte/

Guide Questions:

1. In your opinion, are the texts above are example of academic texts? Why or Why not?
2. Did the language use in the sample text similar to the academic writing that you have
done?
3. Can you identify words or phrases that you think make it as an academic writing or
not an academic writing?
4. Do you understand the text easily?
5. Where do you usually encounter the words and phrases use in the sample text?

Let Us Expand your Knowledge!

Knowing what is academic text and its features allows you to identify and distinguish
it from other kinds of writing such as poem, creative essay, formal letter or legal document.
But before we can define academic writing let us first know what is text and what is an
academic text.

UNDERSTANDING TEXT AND ACADEMIC TEXT

According to Open Oregon website, Text is anything that conveys a set of meanings
to the person who examines it. There is a misconception that texts were limited to written
materials, such as books, newspapers and magazines. It is true that those items are indeed
texts but so are movies, paintings, television shows, songs. Political cartoons, online
materials, advertisements, mask, works of art, and even rooms full of people. If we can look
at something, explore it, find layers of meaning in it, and draw information and conclusions
from it, we are looking at a text.

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 Since text is anything that conveys a set of meaning to the person who examine it,
anything can be a text but what do you think is academic text? Academic text is defined as
critical, objective, specialized texts written by experts or professionals in a given field using
formal language. Academic texts are objective. This means that they are based on facts with
solid basis. Academic text is used in creating your academic writing, but what is academic
writing?
DEFINING ACADEMIC WRITING
According to Hogue and Oshima (2007), academic writing is the kind of writing used
in high school and college classes which differ from creative and personal writing because of
using formal language. While creative writing and personal writing both uses informal
language.
Barrot (2018) also stated that academic writing is a type of writing produced by
student in an academic setting which is impersonal and formal. It is impersonal because it
usually uses the third person perspective and does not have a direct reference to persons
and feelings.

Academic writing according to Saqueton and Uychoco(2016) is a process that

starts with posing a question, problematizing a concept, evaluating an opinion, and ends in
answering the question or questions posed, clarifying the problem, and/or arguing for a
stand. Saqueton also argues that academic writing is thinking; you cannot just write anything
that comes to your mind. You have to abide by the set rules and practices in writing. You
have to write in a language that is appropriate and formal but not too pretentious.
According to the website of Monash University, the language used at university has
various features which distinguish it from the language styles used in other contexts.
Consider the language used in novels, conversation, newspapers or law courts. Each has its
own style, with varying degrees of formality and objectivity.
LANGUAGE IN ACADEMIC WRITING

Academic writing is formal

The tone used in academic writing is usually formal, meaning that it should not sound
conversational or casual. You should particularly avoid colloquial, idiomatic, slang, or
journalistic expressions in favor of precise vocabulary. Informal and colloquial language is
often imprecise, so is open to misinterpretation, and can be inaccessible to non-native
English speakers. For example, ‘international business heavyweights’ is too informal. Better
wording would be ‘leading international businesses’ if referring to corporations, or
‘international business leaders’ if referring to individuals.

Academic writing requires that you use full forms rather than contractions. For example,
write ‘do not’ instead of ‘don't’, ‘it is’ instead of ‘it's’, ‘they have’ instead of ‘they've’ and ‘we
will’ instead of ‘we'll’.

Academic writing is objective

In general, academic writing is objective. This means it is unbiased, based on facts and
evidence and is not influenced by personal feelings. When personal beliefs or emotions
influence our writing, it is subjective and thus less convincing.

Academic language is impersonal

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Academic language is impersonal in that you generally don’t refer to yourself as the
performer of actions. This involves avoiding the personal pronouns ‘I’ and ‘we’. For example,
instead of writing ‘I will show’, you might write ‘this report will show’. The second person,
‘you’, is also to be avoided.

Going back to the previous activity with the sample text how are you going to determine
whether a text is an academic text or not? What are the features of academic writing that
you consider it as an academic writing?

In the website of UEFP, it was further elaborated that 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. Its objective is to inform rather than entertain.
As well as this is in the standard written form of the language. UEFP also cited 10 features of
academic writing which is elaborated below..

FEATURES OF ACADEMIC WRITING

1. Complexity
Written language is relatively more complex than spoken language. Written language has
longer words, it is lexically denser and it has a more varied vocabulary. It uses more noun-
based phrases than verb-based phrases. Written texts are shorter and the language has
more grammatical complexity, including more subordinate clauses and more passives.
2. Formality
Academic writing is relatively formal. In general, this means that in an essay you should
avoid colloquial words and expressions.
3. Precision
In academic writing, facts and figures are given precisely.
4. Objectivity
Written language is in general objective rather than personal. It therefore has fewer words
that refer to the writer or the reader. This means that the main emphasis should be on the
information that you want to give and the arguments you want to make, rather than you. For
that reason, academic writing tends to use nouns (and adjectives), rather than verbs (and
adverbs).
5. Explicitness
Academic writing is explicit about the relationships in the text. Furthermore, 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. These connections can be made explicit by the use of different signaling
words.
6. Accuracy
Academic writing uses vocabulary accurately. Most subjects have words with narrow specific
meanings. Linguistics distinguishes clearly between "phonetics" and "phonemics"; general
English does not.
7.Hedging
In any kind of academic writing you do, it is necessary to make decisions about your stance
on a particular subject, or the strength of the claims you are making. Different subjects prefer
to do this in different ways.
8. Responsibility
In academic writing 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.
9. Organization

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Academic writing is well organized. It flows easily from one section to the next in a logical
fashion. A good place to start is the genre of your text. Once you have decided on the genre,
the structure is easily determined.
10. Planning
Academic writing is well planned. It usually takes place after research and evaluation,
according to a specific purpose and plan.

VI. Practice Tasks

Practice Task 1. Academic or Not!

Instructions: Read each sample text and identify if the sample text was an
academic text or not by writing in your data notebook the word CONFIRMED if the
sample text is an academic text or DENIED if it is not an academic writing.
TEXT 1
Ultra cool DVD Home Cinema System
Four beautiful, slim floor-standing speakers and an active subwoofer to bring you a great
entertainment experience. A powerful player/S-Master digital amplifier, boosting 5 x 100W,
facilitates DVD-Video, multi-channel Super Audio CD, Video CD and DVD-R/RW playback, while
an integrated RDS tuner provides 30 pre-set channel options. This is a true one box solution for your
TV!
Comet Price £593.83
Our Price £519.98
Source: http://www.uefap.com/writing/feature/intro/intro.htm

TEXT 2 My Last Farewell

(An Excerpt)
Dr. Jose P. Rizal

Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,

Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost,
With gladness I give you my Life, sad and repressed;
And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best,
I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.

On the fields of battle, in the fury of fight,

Others give you their lives without pain or hesitancy,
The place does not matter: cypress laurel, lily white,
Scaffold, open field, conflict or martyrdom's site,
It is the same if asked by home and Country.

I die as I see tints on the sky b'gin to show

And at last announce the day, after a gloomy night;
If you need a hue to dye your matutinal glow,
Pour my blood and at the right moment spread it so,
And gild it with a reflection of your nascent light!

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 My dreams, when scarcely a lad adolescent,
My dreams when already a youth, full of vigor to attain,
Were to see you, gem of the sea of the Orient,
Your dark eyes dry, smooth brow held to a high plane
Without frown, without wrinkles and of shame without stain.

Source: http://www.philippines-travel-guide.com/mi-ultimo-adios.html

Practice Task 2. Missing Feature.

Instructions: Based on the sample text, identify what kind of text and what features of
academic text was missing. Provide the data by writing a check ( / ) on the table below. Copy
the table and answer it in your data notebook.

Features TEXT 1 TEXT 2

Type of Text________ Type of Text________
Complexity
Formality
Precision
Objectivity
Explicitness
Accuracy
Hedging
Responsibility
Organization
Planning

Practice Task 3. What went wrong!

Instruction: Based on the sample text, evaluate the content of the text and justify why do
you think the sample 1 and 2 qualify or does not qualify as academic text based on its
language use. Justify your answer by completing the phrases below. Copy the phrase and
answer it in your data notebook.

1. I learned from this module that academic writing is_______________________________

_________________________________________________________________________.
2. Based on the content, the sample text can be considered as_______________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
3. The language use in the sample text is________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________.
4.Certain words and phrases like_______________________________________________.

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5.That makes the language of the sample
text_____________________________________.

VII. Post Test

A. Instruction: Read and analyze the sample text. Make a paragraph about your evaluation
by answering the following questions. Copy the sample text and questions then write your
answer it your data notebook. You will be rated according to the following rubrics below.
TEXT 1A

This paper examines interaction in written text through the interplay between the notions of
text averral and attribution (Sinclair, 1988). Text averral is evidenced in the unmarked parts
of the text, where the utterances are assumed to be attributed to the author. Attribution, the
counterpart of text averral, is the marked case where the sources of authority are clearly
signalled.

It is hoped that this study will add to our knowledge about the characteristics of different
types of text, and illuminate the way for students who find themselves lost amidst the echoes
of the multiple voices they hear within the same text.

Text averral and attribution are basic notions for the organization of interaction in written text.
The assumption is made that the author of a non-fictional artefact (Sinclair, 1986) avers
every statement in his or her text so long as he/she does not attribute these statements to
another source - whether that source is other or self. Averral is manifested in various ways in
the text - negatively, through absence of attribution, and positively, through commenting,
evaluating or metastructuring of the discourse. Attribution, on the other hand, is signaled in
the text by a number of devices of which reporting is an obvious one.

1. Is the sample text an academic writing or not? Why?

2. Based on the features of writing, what features are evident in the text?
3. Do you think the language use in the sample text is appropriate? Explain your answer.

Points Content Grammar Relevance of

Ideas Presented
5 You were able to You committed no You were able to
cite 3 features of or minimal present at least 3
academic text grammatical error relevant ideas
in the output
3 You were able to You committed two You were able to
cite 1-2 feature of (2) to three (3) present at least 1
academic text errors in the output or 2 relevant idea

B. Directions: Read each statement carefully and write the word PAK if the statement is
true and GANERN if the statement is false in your data notebook.

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_______________1. Academic writing is a type of writing produced by student in an
academic setting which is impersonal and formal.

_______________2. Formal language use is the characteristics of academic writing which

distinguishes it from a creative writing and personal writing.

_______________3. Academic writing is just writing, it is just putting all the letters in the
paper and there is no thinking at all.

_______________4. Language consideration is not important when writing an academic

writing.

_______________5. Knowing the characteristics of academic writing allows student to

distinguishes it from other kinds of writing.

VIII. Assignment/Additional Activities

Search for a sample academic writing and evaluate whether the
language of academic writing was observed in the content of
the text. Copy the worksheet and write your assessment in your
data notebook.

Name__________________________________ Grade/Section:__________________________
Subject:__________________________ Teacher:_______________________________

Title of Academic Writing:________________________________________________________

Author:____________________________

My Evaluation with the Sample academic text

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

IX. Key to Correction

Note:The student responses varies depending on their personal experience.
Pre Test

1. PAK
2. PAK
3. GANERN
4. GANERN
5. PAK

Practice Activity 1: Let’s Review!

1. What is the easiest writing assignment you have done so far?

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Expected Response: My autobiography, travel blog, essay

2. How about the most difficult writing assignment you have done?
Expected Response: Research, Project Proposal, Position Paper, Reaction Paper

3. What do you think is the reason that made the writing assignment difficult or easy?
Expected Response: The complexity of the required output just like research. Easy if you
can write it in just one sitting.

4. Have you done any academic essay, book reviews, literature reviews, research reports,
project proposal, position paper and reaction paper?
Expected Response: Yes

5. Based on your answer, what do you think is academic writing and its difference from other
kinds of writing?
Expected Response: Academic writing is a long, difficult, complex kind of writing. It should
be evidence based.

Practice Activity 2: Let’s Text Twist It!

1. What words have you form from the jumbled letters?
Expected Response: 1. FORMAL 2. OBJECTIVE 3. IMPERSONAL

2. What is your idea about the word?

Expected Response: Formal:uses formal language or standard language
Objective: Base on the evidence or facts not base on feelings or personal claims/stand.
Impersonal:Its not about your personal opinion, but what are the findings of the study.

3. Do you think those words are characteristics of academic writing? Why or why not?
Yes, Because when writing a research or any academic writing those three should be
observed.

Practice Activity 3: Let’s Distinguish It!

1. In your opinion, are the texts above are example of academic texts? Why or Why not?
Expected Response: No, because in the first sample text it is a court order and the second
sample texts can be a travel blog. In the first text, the language is so rare or not familiar with
a normal student like me and the second sample text is too personal because the opinion of
the blogger about Camarines Norte prevails.

2. Did the language use in the sample text similar to the academic writing that you have
done?
Expected Response: No

3. Can you identify words or phrases that you think make it as an academic writing or not an
academic writing?
Expected Response: EX-PARTE, COMPROMISE AGREEMENT, Special Power of
Attorney, Defendants, Parties, Honorable Court, Co-Defendant, Motion

4. Do you understand the text easily?

Expected Response: In the first sample text, not really, in the second sample, yes.

5. Where do you usually encounter the words and phrases use in the sample text?
Expected Response: In the first sample text, in the summon, law suit, lawyer, or hearing.

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Practice Task 1. Academic or Not! Expected Response:1. DENIED 2. DENIED

Practice Task 2. Missing Feature: Expected Response:No check all feature.

Practice Task 3.
1. I learned from this module that academic writing is formal, objective and impersonal.
2. Based on the content, the sample text can be considered as non-academic writing.
3. The language use in the sample text is not formal, objective and impersonal.
4.Certain words and phrases like “to bring you a great entertainment experience, A powerful
player, this is a true one box solution for your TV! With gladness I give you my Life, sad and
repressed; I would still give it to you for your welfare at most. etc.
5.That makes the language of the sample text, not formal, not objective and not impersonal.

Post Test:

A.
1. Is the sample text an academic writing or not? Why?
Expected Response: Yes, Because it adheres to the characteristics of academic
writing.
2. Based on the features of writing, what features are evident in the text?
Expected Response: all
3. Do you think the language use in the sample text is appropriate? Explain your answer.
Expected Response: Yes, because the language is formal, objective and impersonal.
B.
1. PAK
2. PAK
3. GANERN
4. GANERN
5. PAK

References:

Books:

Barrot, Jessie S. Academic Reading and Writing. C & E Publishing: Manila, Philippines
pp.154-155.

Saqueton, G.M. and Uychoco, M.T. English for Academic and Professional Purposes. Rex
Book Store: Manila, Philippines pp.3-11.

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E-books

Writing Hogue, A. & Oshima, A. (20O7). Introduction to Academic. Pearson Education.

https://www.pdfdrive.com/introduction-to-academic-writing-e19427406.html

Internet Site:

Destacamento, Jerny (2018, September 27). Travel Guide: 11 Must-See and Do in

Camarines. The Jerny: Travel and Inspirations. https://thejerny.com/travel/travel-guide-
camarines-norte/
http://www.uefap.com/writing/feature/intro/intro.htm

http://www.philippines-travel-guide.com/mi-ultimo-adios.html

https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/academicwriting

http://www.oercommons.org/courses/academic-writing-help/view

https://merriamwebsterdictionary.

Images:

paper-3033204_640.jpghttps://pixabay.com/en/paper-messy-notes-abstract-papers3033204/

www.bitmoji.com

www.canva.com

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