Lesson 1.

Academic Language VS Social Language

SOCIAL LANGUAGE ACADEMIC LANGAUGE

repetition of words variety of words, more sophisticated vocabulary

sentences start with “and” and “but” sentences start with transition words, such as
“however,” “moreover,” and “in addition”
In everyday interactions; in spoken or written from Appropriate for written papers, classwork, homework

Does not follow grammar conventions In textbooks, research papers, conferences in

spoken/written form
use of slang: “guy,” “cool,” and “awesome” No slang

Academic language refers to the oral, written, auditory, and visual language proficiency required to
learn effectively in schools and academic programs. It is also the language used in classroom lessons, books,
tests, and assignments. It is the language that students are expected to learn and achieve fluency in.

What is the difference between academic language and social language?

Social English: Used for conversations with friends and family. When you speak to people you know well,you
may use slang, abbreviations, or unconventional grammar.
Academic English: Used for formal and professional purposes with more complex vocabulary. When you speak
or write in this way, you should use standard grammar.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ACADEMIC LANGUAGE

Formal
It should not be conversational and casual. Avoid colloquial and idiomatic expressions, slang, and contractions.
X dig in
X cup of tea
X dude
X don’t
Impersonal
Do not refer to yourself as the performer of actions. Do no t use personal pronouns.

For example:
“It is commonly said that”… instead of “Many of my friends and colleagues say that…”
“Research revealed that…” instead of “I discovered that”
Precise
The facts are presented accurately. The choice of words are appropriate. The use of technical terms to achieve
precision is applied.

For example: “85% of the population”, “The results are okay (satisfactory).”, asphyxiation (medical term)
Objective
It is unbiased, based on facts and is not influenced by personal feelings.

For example: “The essay on… is distressing.” instead of “I do not like the essay”

Characteristics Academic Text Non-Academic Text

Audience Scholarly audience Public

Purpose To inform and/or validate idea To entertain/To inform

 Structure Introduction-Body-Conclusion No fixed Structure

Language Formal Contains slang and colloquialisms

Style Objective Subjective

Source of content Related Literature Everyday events

Examples Research papers, Reports Diaries, Informal Essays

The Structures of Academic Text

A sentence is a grammatically independent unit. A paragraph is a group of sentences dealing with one
idea. A standard paragraph consists of a topic sentence, supporting details, and concluding sentences that relate
to one main idea. A topic sentence stresses the main idea of the paragraph.
 Topic Sentence – expresses the main idea.
 Supporting Sentence – explains the main idea.
 Concluding Sentence – summarizes the main idea.

THE THESIS STATEMENT

Definition
A thesis statement is the claim or stand that you will develop in your paper. It is the controlling
idea of your essay. It controls the subject matter of the essay and states something significant to the
reader. Moreover, the thesis statement is the one statement that summarizes the main point of the essay
and states why the essay is important and worth reading. An essay that lacks a strong thesis will be
inadequate and often lacking in focus.
A strong thesis statement usually contains an element of uncertainty, risk or challenge (Ramage,
Bean, and Johnson 2006:34). This means that your thesis should offer a debatable claim that you can
prove or disprove in your essay. The claim should be debatable enough to let your readers agree or
disagree with you. Also, you will have to gather evidence in order for you to back up your thesis
statement.
Qualities of a well-crafted Thesis Statement:
 A thesis statement should identify a specific purpose, a specific way to accomplish the purpose,
and oftentimes a specific audience (depending on the type of essay).
 A thesis statement should assert something about the essay.
 A thesis statement should be easily identifiable by a reader and should be clear and not
ambiguous.
 A thesis statement generally comes toward the end of the introduction.

Example:
"In order to succeed in the classroom, college students need to utilize the resources available to them
throughout their academic careers."

[Notice how this thesis statement includes a specific audience (college students), a specific purpose (success in
the classroom) and the specific way this can be accomplished (utilizing available resources).]

Guidelines on Writing an Effective Thesis Statement

1. Avoid making overly-opinionated stands

 While a thesis statement needs to reveal your attitude toward the topic, be careful not to go to the
extremes and write a thesis statement with an exaggerated claim. This is because you need to prove your
thesis first, and avoid imposing your opinion on the reader, lest you affect their disposition toward you.

Example: The officers of the ROTC are merciless slave drivers who abuse their fellow students.

2. Avoid making announcements

Sometimes, it is easier to tell your reader what you intend to write about. However, sometimes it
makes a weak thesis statement for it lacks your attitude or stand in a particular topic.

Example: In this essay, I will talk about the benefits of having a healthy lifestyle.

3. Avoid stating facts alone

If you rely only on facts in your thesis statements, you will not have much room for discussion,
because facts are generally not as debatable as opinions.
Example: Coronavirus is an unseen threat to mankind

Common Text Structures

It is important to note that there are no official list of text structures. Different writers have different lists
of text structures. A nonfiction text can have one overall text structure or several different text structures.
A text structure refers to the internal organization of a text. According to Meyer (1985), as authors
write a text a text to communicate an idea, they will use a structure that goes along with the idea.

Text Structure Graphic Organizer Transition

Words/Signal Words
Chronological Order first, second, third…
It is also known as later
time order. This
next
structure is organized
from one point in time before
to another. then
finally
after/later
when
since
now/previously
actual use of dates
Sequence first
Steps described in the second
order they occur. It
third
does not take place in
a specific point in fourth
time. fifth
next
last
finally
after
then
Cause and Effect if/then
This structure shows reasons why
how one or more
as a result
causes led to one or
more effects. Many therefore
texts do not include because
just one cause leading consequently
to one effect– instead, since
there may be several so that
causes and several
for
effects.
due to
accordingly
subsequently
Problem-solution because
The text structure since
presents a problem,
consequently
and shows how it can
be (or has been) so that
solved. The key nevertheless
difference between a solution
cause-effect and however
problem-solution is therefore
that the latter always
in addition
present a solution
while the former does as a result
not.

Compare and however

Contrast on the other hand
This text structure
similarly
shows how two or
more ideas or items in contrast
are similar or just as
different. The text However/yet
may use a clustered nevertheless
approach, with details on the other hand
about one topic
but/where as
followed by the details
about the other. It may similarly
also show an although
alternating approach, also/likewise
with the author going in contrast/comparison
back between the two different
topics.
either/or
in the same way/just as
Classification kinds of
A classification categories of
paragraph divides
things into groups,
classes, or categories.
It also organizes ideas
into divisions based
on criteria or
standards.
 Persuasion although
This text structure conversely
convinces readers to
in addition
agree to an argument
or claim about a additionally
particular topic. agree
disagree
contention
furthermore
equally
besides
again
moreover
on the other hand
Definition and for example
Description characteristics
Describes a topic by
for instance
listing characteristics,
features, attributes, such as
and examples including
to illustrate
to show
including

Activity 1

READING ACADEMIC TEXTS

I. Directions: Using the criteria, evaluate the language of the following sample of academic
texts from various disciplines. Write your answers on your notebook.

A. Infection after consumption of fresh duck blood and undercooked poultry products has been
suspected in some cases of illness. Indeed, transmission to felids was observed after experimental
feeding of infected chickens to domestic cats, and feeding tigers raw infected chicken led to
outbreaks of illness in Thai zoos, in which felid-to-felid transmissions were also implicated.
Infected birds shed high concentrations of virus in feces. Direct intranasal or conjunctival
inoculation while swimming in contaminated water or, perhaps, inhalation or ingestion of water
could have been potential modes of transmission to some H5N1– infected patients. As for human
influenza, hand contamination from fomites and self-inoculation into the eye or upper respiratory
tract remain possible modes.

B. The number of calories burned during an exercise depends on various factors including body weight
and the type of exercise. For example, an individual weighing 59 kilograms (130 pounds) would
expend roughly 500 calories per hour swimming or playing basketball. However, this same person
would burn an estimated 200 walking or playing table tennis. In order to survive and maintain body
weight, the average individual requires approximately 2000 to 2500 calories per day. Gaining or
 losing weight is a simple process. Add and subtract 7,700 calories over the course of time to gain or
lose a kilogram. Nutrition has nothing to do with it. It is all about calories.

C. Wrigley’s chewing gum was actually developed as a premium to be given away with other product
rather than as a primary product for sale. As a teenager, William Wrigley Jr. was working for his
father in Chicago selling soap that has been manufactured in his father’s factory. The soap was not
very popular with merchants because it was priced at 5 cents, and this selling price did not leave a
good profit margin for the merchants. Wrigley convinced his father to raise the price to ten cents
and to give away cheap umbrellas as a premium for the merchants. This worked successfully,
confirming to Wrigley that the use of premium was an effective sales tool.

D. As a learner-centered process to second language (L2) writing, peer response has been widely
adopted and studied since the 1990s (Hyland &Hyland, 2006). The dialogic nature of peer response
seems to foster multiple support systems (Hyland, 2000) and communicative behaviors (Villamil &
de Guerrero, 1996). L2 research has shown that peer response can increase chances for meaning
negotiation and language practice (Lockhart & Ng, 1995; Mendonca & Johnson, 1994), encourage
collaborative reading and writing (Tsui & Ng, 2000), and promote writing revisions (Berg, 1999;
Mendonca & Johnson, 1994;; Min, 2006, 2008; Stanley, 1992). These interactive practices appear
to draw upon and enhance interactional and writing skills.

A B C D
1. In what discipline could this
text belong to?
2. What type of language does
the article use?
3. Who are the target audience
of the text?
4. Is the text objective or
subjective?
5. What is the purpose of the
text?

II. Directions. Using the same paragraphs from Test I, identify the thesis statement of each paragraph.
Write your answers on your notebook.

Paragraph A: _________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
ACTVITY 2. Text Structures.

I. Directions. Read the following passages and identify the text structure being used. Write your
answers on your notebook.

Problem-Solution Compare and Contrast

Chronological Cause and Effect
Sequence Persuasion
Classification

1. Making ice-cream is not easy. Cream and sugar have to first be mixed in a frozen container. Ingredients
may be added at this point, if desired. The mixture must be stirred and whipped until the cream and
sugar mixture is frozen. Depending on the equipment, this may take as long as an hour. After the ice-
cream is prepared, it must be kept frozen until it is ready to be enjoyed. Making ice-cream is difficult,
but most people would agree that it is worth the trouble.
2. There are two types of people in this world: cat people and dog people. Which type are you? Well, if
you like a pet that is low maintenance, you might be a cat person. Cats are easier to take care of than
dogs because cats are very independent. Since they use litter boxes, they do not have to be taken outside
to go potty like dogs. Also, cats clean themselves while dogs need occasional baths. If you prefer a pet
that requires more attention, you may be a dog person. Most dogs are very loyal and obedient. You can
play games like fetch or tug of war with a dog. Dogs will also alert you when someone is outside of your
home, whereas cats will usually just stay quiet. Both cats and dogs like to be petted, and they both make
excellent pets, but it takes a certain kind of person to own them. Which kind of person are you?
3. Fireworks are beautiful; but as with many beautiful things, they are also dangerous. Misusing fireworks
can result in property damage, injury, and even the loss of life. Such accidents usually happen for one of
two reasons. The operators may be using poorly manufactured products, such as fireworks with fuses
that burn too quickly. A defective firework can cause even the most skilled operator to have an accident.
Other times, however, it is the operator who is at fault. The operator may be unskilled or distracted and
make a mistake, such as setting up an explosion sequence improperly or not accounting for conditions in
the environment, like soundproof foaming. For these reasons even the most beautiful fireworks display
can turn really ugly really quickly.
4. Working on a computer may be easier and safer than working in a mine, but it does not come without
risks. Using a computer for a long time can lead to poor eyesight, muscle loosening, back pain, and
injuries to the hands and wrists. If you find yourself working or playing on a computer quite regularly,
take a few steps to prevent these problems. When you are computing for a long time, take frequent
breaks. Get up and walk around every once and while. Exercise a little bit. Take your eyes off of the
computer screen. Stretch your hands and wrists. Straighten your back. It can be hard to pull yourself
away from your computer once you get into a zone, but your body will thank you later if you do. Make
your health a priority.
5. One of the most popular, sought-after, and expensive shoes ever marketed are the Air Jordan shoes. The
first Air Jordan shoes were released in 1985. These shoes were not legal to wear on the court since they
did not have any white on them, but Jordan wore them to every game anyway, getting fined $5000 for
each appearance. The next Air Jordan shoes came out in 1986. These shoes were unique for basketball
shoes, because they were made in Italy, which gave them a luxury feel. Two years later, the third Air
Jordan shoes were released. These were the first shoes with the visible air pocket in the back and were
the inspiration for many later shoe designs. The Air Jordan shoe line has had a long history of successful
and noteworthy releases.
6. Imagine a child as young as ten years old on the website Facebook chatting with a grown man or grown
woman. Should parents let their children as young as ten years old be on Facebook? Parents should not
let their children or child be on Facebook because on Facebook there are a lot of things that are said and
done that a child of that age should not be able to see. If a parent approves of a child being on Facebook
it is very inappropriate. Because that child may tell a story about their age and someone much older may
see it and think their telling the truth and start sending them messages and the child might not like it at
all. When a child that young is on a website like Facebook they might get excited and go overboard. For
example, the child might tell where they live, their address, and a lot more information that is not
needed. In conclusion, parents should not let children under age get on Facebook because many different
things can happen.
7. There are four main levels of the Boy Scouts of America. Boys who are in first grade or are seven years
old can enter the Tiger Cubs. Each Tiger Cub has an adult partner. Uniforms are optional for Tiger
Cubs. Scouts and adults may wear orange Tiger T-shirts and hats. Boys who are in second grade or are
at least eight years old can join the Cub Scouts. The Cub Scouts wear blue uniforms with blue and gold
scarves. Boys who are 11 to 17 years old can join the Boy Scouts. Boy Scouts wear khaki uniforms that
include caps, scarves, shirts, and pants. Boys and girls who are 14 to 20 years old can join the Venturing
program. This program helps young people develop leadership skills. Members of the Venturing
program wear green uniforms.