NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

CONTENT: English 7; Philippine Literature

CONTENT STANDARDS: The learner demonstrates understanding of:
 contemporary Philippine literature as a means of responding to the demands of
the global village;
 various extended text types; lexical and contextual cues;
 appropriate and polite oral language, stance, and behavior; and
 use of imperatives, prepositions, verbs, and wh-questions.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: The learner transfers learning by: explaining the
need to be cooperative and responsible in today’s global village; using appropriate
strategies to comprehend extended text types; using lexical and contextual clues to
understand unfamiliar words and expressions; using imperatives, prepositions, and
appropriate and polite oral language, stance and behavior in various information-sharing
formats.
LEARNING COMPETENCY: Distinguish features of academic writing.
LESSON 20: FEATURES OF ACADEMIC WRITING
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to:
a. define academic writing via choose in the box;
b. distinguish the features of academic writing through a matching type
activity; and
c. evaluate the significance of the features of academic writing.

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Introduction:
The ways we write are influenced by our purpose. We write differently when
communicating with our friends, reporting on events, telling stories. At
university, the type of writing that you will be expected to produce in your
assessment tasks is classified as ‘academic writing’. What is the purpose of
Academic Writing to students?
What is academic writing?
Writing is a skill that is required in many contexts
throughout life. However, academic writing is quite
different from personal writing because it follows its own
set of rules and practices:

 Ideas are usually organized in a formal

order or structure.

 Ideas are supported by references from academic literature.

 In contrast to personal writing, academic writing is different because it deals with the
theories and causes of a given topic, as well as exploring alternative
explanations for these theories or events.

 Academic writing follows a particular tone, which uses concise, formal, and
objective language. Academic writing also adheres to traditional conventions of
punctuation, grammar, and spelling.

Academic writing is clear, concise, focused, structured and backed

up by evidence. Its purpose is to aid the reader’s understanding.

It has a formal tone and style, but it is not complex and does not
require the use of long sentences and complicated vocabulary.

Each subject discipline will have certain writing conventions, vocabulary and types of
discourse that you will become familiar with over the course of your degree. However, there
are some general characteristics of academic writing that are relevant across all disciplines.

Checkpoint 1: Choose in the box.

What is Academic Writing?

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BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Questions in you might have in mind now is “What is Academic Writing?” You will
understand what is academic writing is all about by choosing the best word in defining
Academic writing.

1. Academic writing is FORMAL.

Formal Informal Colloquial

2. Academic writing uses language to convey particular information in a very
clear and unambiguous manner. For instance, terms like 'really good' or
'nice' are avoided as they might convey a variety of meanings.

Opinion Precise Subjective

3. Academic writing interrogates a particular area of knowledge through
critically analysing the existing literature and evidence.

Descriptive Subjective Analytical

1. FORMAL
2. PRECISE
3. ANALYTICAL

Features of Academic Writing

1. Structure
Some kind of structure is
required, such as an introduction,
essay body paragraphs, and a
conclusion. This simple structure is
typical of an essay format, as well as
other assignment writing tasks,
which may not have a clearly
articulated structure.

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BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Typical university assignments follow a formal structure, which is often more formal
than in personal writing.
a. Essays

 In an essay, the introductory paragraph tells the reader what the essay is about and
what the following paragraphs (called body paragraphs) will discuss.

 The introduction may also summarize very succinctly, in a sentence or two, your
position on the issue (this is called a thesis statement). An introduction is usually 10-
15% of the total word limit.

 Your essay body paragraphs are used to support your thesis statement. The first
sentence of each paragraph (sometimes called a topic sentence) should tell the
reader what the paragraph is about. The rest of the paragraph is used to explain or
develop this idea.

 The final paragraph, the conclusion, summarizes the points made in your essay body
paragraphs. You should not introduce new information in the conclusion.

 Sometimes, you can use the concluding paragraph to broaden discussion to the
implications or future advancements surrounding the issues addressed. Usually, a
conclusion is about 10% of the total word limit.

b. Reports

 Another type of structure common in university assignments is a report.

 A report is often organized around the identification of problems or difficulties and

corresponding solutions.

 Unlike most essays, a report is divided according to clearly labelled sections, such as
Introduction, Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations.

 Also, unlike an essay, reports allow bulleted points in the conclusions and
recommendations sections.

2. Referencing
A significant difference between academic writing and other kinds of writing is the
use of citations and referencing of published authors.

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 If you make claims, judgements or statements about something in academic writing,

there is an expectation that you will support your opinion by linking it to what a
published author has previously written about the issue.

 Citing the work of other authors is central to academic writing because it shows you
have read the literature, understood the ideas, and have integrated these issues and
varying perspectives into the assignment task.

 The importance placed on referring to other authors in your work can be reflected in
the elaborate referencing conventions that have been created within different
disciplines, such as APA (American Psychological Association) referencing, which is
used in psychology, education, some social sciences, as well as for business.

3.Academic tone
Like all varieties of writing, academic writing has its own tone, which dictates the
choice of words and phrasing.
Academic writing typically aims to be:

 objective (e.g. using inclusive language)

 concise
 formal (e.g. avoiding slang, exclamation marks, contractions)

The tone of academic writing can also vary significantly depending on the subject-area
and the academic discipline you are writing for.
The readings, textbook, and study guide of your course show you what tone is expected in
the paper, so study their style carefully.

4.The audience
It is important to remember who you are writing for. Being conscious of academic
tone suggests that you are aware of your audience and respect the formality normally
associated with academic writing.

When writing academically, you must target a more general audience than just your
lecturer and/or marker. You should assume that your readers will be intelligent thinking
people, but they may not be specifically informed of your topic. Do not presume that your
reader knows all the terms and concepts associated with your work. This may mean you
have to give concise definitions or explanations of key terms and events.

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BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

5.Punctuation and grammar

In academic writing you should always follow rules of punctuation and grammar.
Punctuation and the conventions of grammar are universally known systems (within
individual languages) that maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity in expression. It is important
that the spelling and grammar check software on your computer are turned on and set to
the correct language.

Check point 2: What are the features of academic writing?

Test I. Matching Type: Directions: Match column A with the correct answer on
column B, write only the letter of answer on the blank provided.

Column A Column B

_____1. Academic writing typically aims a) Punctuation and

formal, concise and objective. Grammar
_____2. You should assume that that your b) The Audience
readers c) Reports
will be intelligent thinking people, but they may d) Essay
not be specifically informed of your topic. e) Grammar
_____3. That your readers will be intelligent f) Introduction
thinking people, but they may not be specifically g) APA Referencing
informed of your topic. h) Features
_____4. Is often organized around the i) Academic Tone
identification j) Formal
k) Conclusion
l) Structure
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n) Objective
o) The Audience/Reader
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of problems or difficulties and corresponding

solutions.
_____5. Typical of an essay format, as well as
other assignment writing tasks, which may not
have
a clearly articulated structure.
_____6. Using inclusive language.
_____7. Avoiding slang, exclamation marks,
contractions.
_____8. Is used in psychology, education, some
social sciences, as well as for business.
_____9. Is about 10% of the total word limit.
_____10 Is usually 10-15% of the total word
limit.

1. I 6. N
2. B 7. J
3. O 8. G
4. C 9. K
5. L 10. D

WHAT IS PUNCTUATION AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Punctuation refers to the set of marks that are used to regulate and clarify
meaning and rhythm within a text. Punctuation helps to make the meaning of a text clear
by linking or separating words, phrases, clauses, and sentences.

We use punctuation in numerous ways to meet the purpose of your task and the
needs of your audience, but essentially you are trying to achieve two outcomes.

1. To make the text easier to read by adding pauses, breaks and points of emphasis.

2. To add expression, detail and switch perspective when characters, and narrators
are speaking.

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BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Picture retrieved from: https://7esl.com/punctuation-marks/

Grammar as a feature of Academic Writing.

Every language can be described in terms of its grammar. The grammar of a

language refers to the way words are put together to make meaningful
sentences. Traditional grammar has some useful terms that you need to be able to use
when you are discussing your writing and referring to sources that describe writing.

What is the role of Grammar in Academic Writing?

  Grammar is important because it provides information that helps the reader's

comprehension. It is the structure that conveys precise meaning from the writer to the
audience. Eliminate grammatical errors from your writing, and reward your readers with
clear communication.

Checkpoint 3: TRUE OR FALSE

Academic Writing and Features of Academic Writing. Review and

Summary

Test II. Write T if the statement is true meanwhile, write F is the statement is false.

_____1. Like all varieties of writing, academic writing has its own tone, which dictates
the choice of words and phrasing.

_____2. It’s Not important that the spelling and grammar check software on your
computer are turned on and set to the correct language.

_____3. In academic writing we should assume that our readers will be intelligent
thinking people.

_____4. In writing academically, we should target fewer general audiences than

lecturer.

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BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

_____5. Academic Writing has two tone.

_____6. A significant difference between academic writing and other kinds of writing is
the use of citations and referencing of unpublished authors.
_____7. A report is divided according to clearly labelled sections, such as Introduction,
Discussion, Conclusions, Findings and Recommendations.
______8. Do not presume that your reader knows all the terms and concepts associated
with your work.

_____9. In an essay, the introductory paragraph tells the reader what the essay is about
and what the following paragraphs (called body paragraphs) will interpret.

_____10. Some kind of structure is required, such as an introduction, essay body

paragraphs, and a conclusion.

_____11. Grammar is important because it reduces information that helps the reader's
comprehension.

_____12. The grammar of a language refers to the way words are put together to make
meaningful sentences. 

_____13. Traditional grammar has no useful terms that you need to be able to use when
you are discussing your writing and referring to sources that describe writing.

_____14. Punctuation helps to make the meaning of a text clear by linking or separating
words, phrases, clauses, and sentences.

_____15. There are approximately 14 different marks or signs that are used in this
manner in English.

1. T 9. F
2. F 10. T
3. T 11. F
4. F 12. T
5. F 13. F
6. F 14. T
7. F 15. T
8. T

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SELF ASSESSMENT CHECK: ESSAY

Significance of the Features of Academic Writing.

SELF ASSESSMENT CHECK RUBRIC FOR ESSAYS

4-5 Main Ideas are clear, Answer is appropriate to the question and the sentences are well
constructed and organized.
3 Main ideas are clear but are not well supported, answer is appropriate to the question but
the Content have one or two factual errors and most sentences are well constructed and
organized.
2 The ideas are somewhat clear, answer is somewhat appropriate to the question and
sentences are somewhat organized.
1 The main ideas are not clear, content is unrelated to the question and sentences are not
clear and organized.

Answer the following questions.

11. What is the Importance of Academic Writing to you as a student?

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

12. What is the role of the features of academic writing?

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

13. What is the purpose of these features of Academic Writing?

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

14. How will these feature of Academic writing will help the students in their daily
life?

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

15. Will these features of Academic writing be the reason of Clarity? or

ambiguities?

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Assignment. List down examples Academic writing and

its use and why is it important to students.

Academic Writing Use/s Importance

Examples

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1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Job well done, Northwesternian!

Reference/s

Retrieved at…

https://www.monash.edu/rlo/research-writing-assignments/writing/features-of-
academic-writing/academic-language.

https://www.monash.edu/rlo/research-writing-assignments/writing/features-of-
academic-writing.

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BASIC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

https://library.leeds.ac.uk/info/14011/writing/106/academic_writing/2.

https://aso-resources.une.edu.au/academic-writing/grammar/grammar/

Retrieved on: March 15,2021

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