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Nature and Characteristics of an Academic Text

An academic text is a structured written work that conveys information relevant to a specific discipline, typically consisting of an introduction, body, and conclusion. It employs formal language, clear arguments, and proper citation to avoid plagiarism, while addressing complex issues and requiring higher-order thinking. Key features include precision, objectivity, organization, and the use of evidence-based arguments.

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14 views22 pages

Nature and Characteristics of an Academic Text

An academic text is a structured written work that conveys information relevant to a specific discipline, typically consisting of an introduction, body, and conclusion. It employs formal language, clear arguments, and proper citation to avoid plagiarism, while addressing complex issues and requiring higher-order thinking. Key features include precision, objectivity, organization, and the use of evidence-based arguments.

Uploaded by

usaffe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NATURE AND

CHARACTERISTICS
OF AN ACADEMIC
TEXT
ACADEMIC TEXT
An academic text is a written language
that provides information, which contain
ideas and concepts that are related to the
particular discipline. Essay, Research
Paper, Report, Project, Article, Thesis, and
Dissertation are considered as academic
texts.
STRUCTURE
The basic structure that is used
by an academic text is consist of
three (3) parts introduction, body,
and conclusion which is formal
and logical.
TONE
This refers to the attitude conveyed in a
piece of writing. The arguments of others
are fairly presented and with an
appropriate narrative tone. When
presenting a position or argument that
disagrees with one’s perspectives,
describe the argument accurately without
loaded or biased language.
LANGUAGE
It is important to use
unambiguous language. Clear
topic sentences enable a reader
to follow your line of thinking
without difficulty. Formal language
and the third person point of-view
should be used.
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. It is essential
to always acknowledge the source of any
ideas, research findings, data, or quoted
text that have been used in a paper as a
defense against allegations of plagiarism.
COMPLEXITY
An academic text
addresses complex issues
that require higher-order
thinking skills to
comprehend.
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.
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.
FEATURES OF
ACADEMIC
TEXTS
1. COMPLEX
Written language has no longer
words, it is lexically more varied
vocabulary.
Written texts are shorter and the
language has more grammatical
complexity, including more
subordinate clauses and more
passives.
2. FORMAL
Should avoid colloquial words
and expressions.
3. PRECISE
Facts are given accurately
and precisely.
4. OBJECTIVE
 has fewer words that emphasize
on the information you want to
give and the arguments you want
to make
mostly use nouns (adjectives),
rather than verbs (adverbs)
5. 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.
6. ACCURATE
vocabulary accurately
Most subjects have words with
narrow specific meanings.
7. HEDGING
It is necessary to make
decisions about your stance on
a particular subject, or the
strength of the claims you are
making.
8. RESPONSIBLE
You must be responsible for
and must be able to
provide evidence and
justification for any claims
you make.
9. ORGANIZE
Well-organized.
It flows easily from one section to
the next in a logical fashion.
10. PLAN
Well-planned.
It usually takes place after research
and evaluation, according to specific
purpose and plan.
PURPOSES IN READING AN
ACADEMIC TEXT
 1. To locate a main idea;
 2. To scan for information;
 3. To identify gaps in existing studies;
 4. To connect new ideas to existing ones;
 5. To gain more pieces of information;
 6. To support a particular writing assignment;
and,
 7. To deeply understand an existing idea.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN
WRITING ACADEMIC TEXT
 1. State critical questions and issues;
 2. Provide facts and evidence from credible
sources;
 3. Use precise and accurate words while
avoiding jargon;
 4. Take an objective point of view;
 5. List references; and,
 6. Use cautious language.

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