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English
Quarter 4 - Module 1
Distinguishing Features of
Academic Writing
English – Grade 7
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 4 – Module 1: Distinguishing Features of Academic Writing
First Edition, 2021

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the
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respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership
over them.

Published by the Department of Education- Region III

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writers/ Illustrator/ Layout Artist/ Editors:
Mark Darwin V. Garcia, Melissa S. Ronquillo
Christopher Glenn E. Santos
Kathleen Grace A. Mendoza
Rowena R. Reyes
Kreiss Maria B. Alindayo
Content Evaluator: Lorelie P. Labao
Language Evaluator: Rowena G. De Guzman
Layout Evaluator: Lorelie P. Labao, Rowena G. De Guzman
Management Team: Gregorio C. Quinto, Jr.
Rainelda M. Blanco
Agnes R. Bernardo
Jay Arr V. Sangoyo
Glenda S. Constantino
Joannarie C. Garcia

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Department of Education--- Schools Division of Bulacan

Office Address: Curriculum Implementation Division

Learning Resource Management and Development System (LRMDS)
Capitol Compound, Guinhawa St., City of Malolos, Bulacan
E-mail address: [email protected]
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English
Quarter 4 - Module 1
Distinguishing Features of
Academic Writing
Introductory Message

This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, dear learners, can
continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step
as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM.
This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you need to
ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the
lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check
your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that
you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teachers are also provided
to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can best
help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of
this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercise and tests. Read
the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the tasks
in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

This module provides varied activities that will help you understand and be
familiar with the basic features of academic writing. Activities and practices are provided
to help you improve your writing skills.

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

• determine the basic features of academic writing;
• analyze the significance of these features in writing a critical paper; and
• organize information in writing an academic paper.

What I Know

A. Directions: Write T if the statement is true or F if it is false.

_____1. Academic writing is also considered critical writing.
_____2. The purpose of academic writing is to entertain rather than to inform.
_____3. Formal use of language should be evident in writing a critical paper.
_____4. There is no need to use references in supporting one’s ideas.
_____5. Writing an academic paper means you must be subjective in your topic.
_____6. You need to be precise in facts and dates in writing a critical paper.
_____7. Hedging is a technique common in certain kinds of academic writing.
_____8. Academic writing should be well-organized.
_____9. Writers of critical papers are not required to present evidence of their claim.
_____10. Academic writing requires research.

B. Directions: Replace the underlined words with more appropriate and formal equivalent.
Choose your answer from the word pool.
1. Filipinos always show resiliency during challenging times.
2. The President tells the people about the current situation of our nation.
3. The unemployed workers are hoping for a chance to get a stable job.
4. People who are working online are still lucky to have means of earnings.
5. The authorities always keep on reminding the people to follow the health protocol
again and again.

opportunity repeatedly demonstrate informs fortunate

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 What’s In

In your previous lesson, you learned how to raise sensible, challenging, and thought-
provoking questions in public forums or panel discussions. Now, let us see if you can still recall
some of the lesson’s important points by answering the activity below.

Directions: Put a check ( ✓ ) if the statement is correct and cross () if it is not.
___1. Pre-plan what you are going to say, and you have to organize your thoughts.
___2. Tell irrelevant subjects to distract other participants.
___3. Stating real-life examples, experiences, expressions, quotes, and facts are not
acceptable
___4. Put down your thoughts on a paper to easily remember the strongest points.
___5. Display low self- confidence with a shaky voice and trembling hands.
___6. Keep your language formal.
___7. Use a dominating tone to let the other participants feel uncomfortable.
___8. Stick to the discussion topic.
___9. Ridicule the idea or statement of another participant.
___10. Gather your thoughts, evaluate the positive and negative of the given subject before
you speak

What’s New
Directions: Read and reflect on the essay about the various effects of online gaming among
students like you.

The Effects of Online Gaming on Youth

by Mark Darwin V. Garcia

In a fast-changing world where technology is drastically rising, the internet becomes

the primary source of information and entertainment for most people. It plays a significant role
in office works, schools, and other institutions. It truly becomes the most efficient tool for
everyone in this digital era. Using smartphones and other gadgets, one can easily access it to
do research, apply for a job, finish homework or even play games online.

Nowadays, online gaming is considered the best pastime for teenagers because they
are enticed by the level of entertainment and competition that they can get through playing
online. It also becomes the subject of leisure for many people for they feel relaxed and
distracted from reality whenever they are playing. However, the issue of gaming addiction is
still a question for some experts because it may pose negative effects on one’s physical and
mental health. In the study conducted by Fabito, et al. (2018) about mobile game addiction in
a university in the Philippines, 47% of the total respondents said that they can play mobile
games from 1-3 hours, and 20% can play for more than 4 hours. This only means that gaming
addiction really exists among students, and if the students are playing mostly at night, this
might lead to sleep deprivation, fatigue, and irritability.

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 Furthermore, mental health may also be affected negatively due to video gaming.
Further result of the study of Fabito, et al. (2018) also revealed that cyberbullying also exists
among gamers for there are some who have experienced cyberbullying or have initiated
cyberbullying towards other gamers. In addition, some researches also suggest that there is
a direct relationship between violent video games and aggression (Shao and Yunqiang 2019).
If these negative implications will not be resolved immediately, they might lead to bigger
problems and life-threatening cases.

On the other hand, online gaming seems to have beneficial effects according to
studies. In the study of Dumrique and Castillo (2018) on the impact of online gaming on the
academic performance of university students, it is revealed that online gaming has positive
effects on the social behavior of students, and it doesn’t affect their academic performance in
school. This is also supported by Garnada (2020) whose research result suggests that online
game addiction does not influence students’ academic attitudes towards study habits,
achieving goals, and academic responsibility. His study also recommends that the school
should provide opportunities to facilitate engaging and interactive activities that will divert
students’ attention and will foster mass participation.

In conclusion, moderation is still the key to everything. Proper time management and
guidance of the parents should always be present among students so that these problems
may be prevented. Involvement among schools, parents, and community should highly be
regarded to provide teenagers sufficient knowledge to avert any risk in health due to excessive
gaming.

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Answer the following questions:
1. According to the essay, what are the positive and negative effects of online gaming to
students and teenagers?
2. Why is online gaming considered as the best pastime in today’s generation?
3. What are the possible consequences if students often play online games late at night?
4. What do you think are the roles of parents and teachers in the issue of game addiction?
5. As a student, how can you help in preventing game addiction and cyberbullying among
the youth?

What is It
Distinguishing Features of
Academic Writing

Academic writing is the style of writing that

investigates the state of an issue and presents
your position based on the evidence of your
research. Academic, or critical, writing is the
way you take part in the academic debate. You
weigh up the evidence and arguments of others
and contribute your own.

Different types of academic writing include:

• abstract
• explication
• annotated bibliography
• literary criticism
• academic journal article
• research paper
• book report
• research proposal
• conference paper
• textbook
• dissertation
• thesis
• essay

The following are the main features of academic writing.

1. Formality - Academic writing is relatively formal.

In general, this means that in an essay you should avoid:
a. Colloquial words – a bit, a lot of, sort of
b. Abbreviated or contracted form – can’t, mustn’t, doesn’t
c. Two-word verbs – bring down, back up
d. sub-headings, numbering and bullet-points in formal essays - but
use them in reports
e. asking questions

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2. Complexity - Written language is relatively more complex than spoken language.

3. Precision - In academic writing you need to be precise when you use information,
dates or figures.

For example:
a. Ferdinand Magellan led a Spanish expedition to the Spice Islands
and reached Cebu in 1521.
b. For 333 years, Philippines was under the Spanish colonizers.

4. Objectivity - Written language is in a 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.

In general, avoid words like "I", "me", or "myself".

A reader will normally assume that any idea not referenced is your
own. It is, therefore, unnecessary to make this explicit.

Don't write:" In my opinion, this is a very interesting study."

Write: "This is a very interesting study."

5. Explicitness - Academic writing is explicit about the relationships in the text.

Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the writer 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.

In writing an academic paper, sentences and paragraphs must be clear and related
to the intended audience. Using signaling or transition words can make the
connections of these paragraphs explicit.

Examples of transition words include:

In addition, and, In contrast, moreover, for this reason, similarly, on the other
hand, for example, but, however

a. It also becomes the subject of leisure for many people for they feel
relaxed and distracted from reality whenever they are playing. However,
the issue of gaming addiction is still a question for some experts because
it may pose negative effects on one’s physical and mental health.
b. In addition, some researches also suggest that there is a direct relation
between violent video games and aggression.

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 Academic writing is also explicit in its acknowledgment of the sources of the ideas
in the text.

6. Accuracy - Academic writing uses vocabulary accurately. Most subjects have

words with narrow specific meanings.

7. Organization - 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.

8. Hedging – (also called Qualification) 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. A technique common in certain kinds of academic writing is known by
linguists as a ‘hedge’.

Using words like occasionally, a few, can be, might be, seem, tend are a way
to qualify generalizations.
a. If these negative implications will not be resolved immediately, they
might lead to bigger problems and life-threatening cases.
b. Online gaming seems to have beneficial effects according to studies.

9. Responsibility - In academic writing, you are responsible for demonstrating an

understanding of the source text. You must also be responsible for and must be
able to provide evidence and justification for, any claims you make. This is done
by paraphrasing and summarizing what you read and acknowledging the source
of this information or ideas by a system of citation.

For example:
a. In the study of Dumrique and Castillo (2018) on the impact of online
gaming in the academic performance of university students
b. This is also supported by Garnada (2020) whose research result suggests
that online game addiction does not influence students’ academic attitudes
towards study habits, achieving goals, and academic responsibility.

10. Planning - Academic writing is well planned. It usually takes place after research
and evaluation, according to a specific purpose and plan.

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Points to Remember
• Academic writing displays your confident evaluation of the results of your research. It proves
you have tested the evidence and arguments rather than just accepted them.
• It is balanced writing that gives valid reasons why the ideas of others may be accepted,
dismissed, or treated with caution.
• In this style of writing your voice must be clear. You present the evidence and the argument
that has led you to your conclusion.
• You need to demonstrate critical thinking skills and critical analysis
• Critical writing means you also recognize the limits of your evidence, argument, and
conclusion.
• The use of grammar and vocabulary creates a formal style.
• You need to use references to support your ideas.

What’s More

I hope that you have learned from the discussion. To help you better understand the
features of academic writing, here are some activities and exercises that will enrich your
mastery of the lesson.

Independent Activity 1
Directions: Write True if the statement is correct or False if it is not.

___1. Academic writing adheres to the formal, objective, impersonal, and technical
style of writing.
___2. Using personal pronouns in academic writing can be used.
___3. Colloquialisms or informal expressions are allowed in academic writing.
___4. Phrasal verbs are not acceptable in academic writing.
___5. Idiomatic expressions can be used in academic writing.

Independent Assessment 1
Directions: Choose the example of academic writing in each number.

1. Personal Journal Conference Paper Reader Response Writing

2. Article Memoirs Auto Biography
3. Letter E-mails Dissertation
4. Thesis Text Message Short Stories
5. Poem Song Term Paper

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Independent Activity 2
Directions: Rewrite the following sentences and replace the italized two-word verbs with
more formal equivalent. Choose your answer inside the box.

1. The Philippine Basketball Association is a men’s professional basketball league in

the Philippines, and it was set up in 1975.
Answer: ______________________________________________________
2. Athletes should be well disciplined, and they should get rid of vices if they want to
stay in shape.
Answer: ______________________________________________________
3. The police must carry on their sworn oath of serving and protecting the citizens.
Answer: ______________________________________________________
4. Some of the games will be put off until the players are clear with all necessary
requirements.
Answer: ______________________________________________________
5. People should follow strict health protocol to cut down the number of COVID cases.
Answer: ______________________________________________________

reduce eliminate
founded continue
postponed increase

Independent Assessment 2
Directions: Choose the letter of the sentence that follows correct features of academic
writing.

1. A. The newly hired employees have made good progress.

B. The newly hired employees have made considerable progress.

2. A. Isabelle and Althea got pretty good results.

B. Isabelle and Althea obtained encouraging results.

3. A. Researchers observed the way strain accumulates around a fault.

B. Researchers look at the way strain build-ups around a fault.

4. A. A lot of people are using different technologies nowadays.

B. There are 50 million people that are using different technologies nowadays.

5. A. Deforestation can be solved by planting more trees.

B. Deforestation could be addressed through planting more trees.

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Independent Activity 3
Directions: Determine the features of academic writing being applied in the following
statements. Choose your answer from the word pool.

Hedging Explicitness Formality Precision

1. The internationalization of the economy has created growth opportunities.

2. The Coalition was formed in 1923, some 24 years ago, and have a conservative ideology.
3. According to Peters (1983) evidence from first language acquisition indicates that lexical
phrases are learnt first as unanalyzed lexical chunks.
4. It may be said that the commitment to some of the social and economic concepts was less
strong than it is now.
5. To begin with, it is necessary to consider the long-term implications of the decision to
increase our dependence on permanent staff in our restaurants. For example, let us say we
do go ahead. In this case, our reliance on hourly paid staff will decrease.

Independent Assessment 3
Directions: Read the essay below. Then, write a short analysis about the features of
academic writing being applied. Be guided with the rubric below.

Bulacan: The Prosperous Province Forged by History and Heroism

by Jhaypee Guia on October 18, 2012

Feel the heart and soul of the Philippines in Bulacan. Its history and tradition, its land,
culture and its people. Truly a melting pot of the past and the present, the old and the new,
the countryside and the urban. Bulacan is noted as the land of heroes, beautiful women,
progressive cooperatives, and small and medium-scale industries. It is also known for
excellent craftsmanship in making jewelry, leather craft, buntal hats, pyrotechnics, bone in-
laid furniture and garments. Bulacan also has emerged into a reputable resort haven of Luzon.
Just a few minutes north of Manila by car, Bulacan resorts provide an accessible and welcome
respite from the pressures of city life.

Bulacan, officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first
class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region (Region
3) in the island of Luzon, north of Manila (the nation's capital), and part of the Metro Luzon
Urban Beltway Super Region. Bulacan was established in August 15, 1578. It has 569
barangays from 21 municipalities and 3 component cities (Malolos, the capital city;
Meycauayan; and San Jose del Monte).

Bulacan prides itself on its rich history. The province figures prominently in Philippine
History. Many national heroes and political figures were born in Bulacan. The province was
also one of the first to revolt against Spain. The province is honored as one of the 8 rays of
the sun in the national flag. It is the home of the "Three Republics." These are the Republic of

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Real de Kakarong de Sili (1896) in Pandi, the Republic of Biak-na-Bato (1897) and the very
first Philippine Republic in Malolos (1899–1901). In recognition thereof, these three republics
established in Bulacan have been incorporated in the official seal of the province of Bulacan.
In 1899, the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos was the birthplace of the First Constitutional
Democracy in Asia. It is also the cradle of the nation's noble heroes, of great men and women;
also, home to many of the country's greatest artists, with a good number elevated as National
Artists.

Bulacan has fast become an ideal tourist destination and an essential player in the
tourism of the Philippines, owing to its vital role in Philippine history, and its rich heritage in
culture and the arts. The province is popularly known for its historical sites; nostalgic old
houses and churches; idyllic ecological attractions; religious attractions; colorful and
enchanting festivals; swimming and various themed attractions; and a wide selection of
elegant native crafts and sumptuous delicacies. It is also home to numerous resorts, hotels,
restaurants, and other recreational facilities.

Source: Jhaypee Guia. (2012, October 18) Bulacan: The Prosperous Province Forged by History and Heroism.
Retrieved from: https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Bulacan-The-Prosperous-Province-Forged-by-
History-and-Heroism on February 3, 2021

Rubric

Score
A 6 paper commands attention because of its insightful development and
6 mature style. It presents a cogent analysis of or response to the text,
elaborating that response with well-chosen examples and persuasive
reasoning. The 6 paper shows that its writer can usually choose words
aptly, use sophisticated sentences effectively, and observe the conventions
of written English.
A 5 paper is clearly competent. It presents a thoughtful analysis of or
5 response to the text, elaborating that response with appropriate examples
and sensible reasoning. A 5 paper typically has a less fluent and complex
style than a 6 but does show that its writer can usually choose words
accurately, vary sentences effectively, and observe the conventions of
written English.
A 4 paper is satisfactory, sometimes marginally so. It presents an adequate
analysis of or response to the text, elaborating that response with sufficient
4 examples and acceptable reasoning. Just as these examples and this
reasoning, will ordinarily be less developed than those in 5 papers, so will
the 4 paper's style be less effective. Nevertheless, a 4 paper shows that its
writer can usually choose words of sufficient precision, control sentences
of reasonable variety, and observe the conventions of written English.
A 3 paper is unsatisfactory in one or more of the following ways. It may
analyze or respond to the text illogically; it may lack coherent structure or
3 elaboration with examples; it may reflect an incomplete understanding of
the text or the topic. Its prose is usually characterized by at least one of the
following: frequently imprecise word choice; little sentence variety;
occasional major errors in grammar and usage, or frequent minor errors.

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 A 2 paper shows serious weaknesses, ordinarily of several kinds. It
frequently presents a simplistic, inappropriate, or incoherent analysis of or
2 response to the text, one that may suggest some significant
misunderstanding of the text or the topic. Its prose is usually characterized
by at least one of the following: simplistic or inaccurate word choice;
monotonous or fragmented sentence structure; many repeated errors in
grammar and usage.
A 1 paper suggests severe difficulties in reading and writing conventional
1 English. It may disregard the topic's demands, or it may lack any
appropriate pattern of structure or development. It may be inappropriately
brief. It often has a pervasive pattern of errors in word choice, sentence
structure, grammar, and usage.

What I Have Learned

Have you learned a lot from this lesson? Now, write the things that you learned from
this module. Complete the statements below.

I have learned that features of academic

writing are
_______________________________
________________________________
________.

I have also realized that

_______________________________
_______________________________
_________.

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 What I Can Do

Do you want to know how COVID 19 pandemic really changes and affects our
economy and country? As a student, you must be aware of what is happening in our nation
because you are part of it.

Directions: Write a short essay about the effects of the pandemic on our economy.
Apply the basic features of academic writing that you have studied earlier. Be guided
with the rubric below.

__________________

________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________

________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________

Essay Rubric

Criteria 4 3 2 1
The essay is The essay is The essay is The essay
Focus/Main focused, focused on the focused on topic poorly
Point purposeful, and topic and and includes few addresses topic
reflects clear includes loosely relevant and includes
insight and ideas relevant ideas ideas irrelevant ideas
Persuasively Supports main Supports main Provides little or
supports main point with point with some no support for
Support point with well- developed underdeveloped the
developed reasons and/or reasons and/or main point
reasons and/or examples examples
examples

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Organization Effectively Organizes ideas Some Little or no
and Format organizes ideas to build an organization of organization of
to build a logical, argument ideas to build an ideas to build an
coherent argument argument
argument
Effective and Appropriate use Some use of Little or no use
creative use of of elements of elements of of
Language Use & elements of style style style elements of
Style to enhance Uses correct Contains style
meaning grammar, frequent errors Many errors in
Uses correct spelling, and in grammar,
grammar, punctuation with grammar, spelling, and
spelling, few errors spelling, and punctuation,
punctuation punctuation makes reader’s
throughout with comprehension
very few errors difficult
Distinctive Sufficient Very little No
experimentation experimentation experimentation experimentation
with language with language to enhance nor
and usage to and usage to concepts enhancement
Originality enhance enhance Does not exhibit of concepts
concepts concepts creativity No adherence to
Applies higher Applies basic the theme
order thinking creative skills to
and creative skills relay ideas
to relay complex
ideas

Assessment

Directions: Determine if the following sentences are ACADEMIC or NON- ACADEMIC.

________1. The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the spread
of the coronavirus.
________2. Biologist had attempted to synthesize molecular developments for the previous
10 years.
________3. I used a variety of techniques and strategies to analyze my material.
________4. I completed the experiment as I was told to.
________5. The use of this method of control unquestionably leads to safer train running in
the most adverse weather conditions.
________6. According to some research, the level of motivation to succeed depends not only
on factors in the home but also peer influence.
________7. Young people should obey their parents and be respectful of them.
________8. It is widely known that smoking is harmful to people’s health.

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________9. I will explain the reasons for this in my essay.
________10. The future of this invention is up in the air.
________11. The WHO described how coronavirus might affect the human body.
________12. The experiment was completed as instructed.
________13. The current use of terracing, fertilizers, and irrigation have humble beginnings
that stretch over three millennia.
________14. The quality of food and the products that individuals consume have considerable
effects on their health and wellbeing.
________15. Noise pollution can have a surplus of negative effects on human health including
sleeping disorders and cardiovascular issues.

Additional Activities

Directions: Rewrite the following texts in a more academic style. Be sure to follow the features
of an academic writing.

I think that obesity is a serious problem in our country. There are many
possible reasons why people are obese but I think too much eating and not
exercising are some of these reasons.

Nowadays, students are hooked on using social media – Facebook,

Twitter, Instagram. They enjoy spending more time posting and chatting with
their friends than studying.

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