TOPIC: LANGUAGE USED IN ACADEMIC TEXTS FROM VARIOUS DISCIPLINES
Definition of terms:
Academic text – is defined as critical, objective, specialized text written by experts or professionals in a given field using
formal language.
- A written language that provides information which contain ideas and concepts that are related to the particular
discipline.
- Examples: Essay, research paper, thesis, concept paper and dissertation.
Language - A system of spoken, signed, and/or written communication used by humans to express themselves.
Formal language – Used for professional and academic purposes; no colloquialism and contractions involved; no using
of personal pronouns; less personal
Informal language – Used when communicating, writing or having conversations with family and friends; more casual
and spontaneous; more personal
Language features of academic writing
1. Formality - Formal language is used rather than slang or informal language in academic writing; it should not sound
conversational or casual; abbreviation, contraction, colloquial, idiomatic, slang or journalistic expressions should be avoided.
Example: It is best to commence the electrolytic thickening in a silver acetate bath.
2. Objectivity – this means it is unbiased. It should be based on facts and evidence and are not influenced by personal feelings;
the focus of information is on the topic rather than the writer himself/herself;
Example: The researchers need to follow instruction.
3. Explicitness - Use of explicit or observable, clear and precise facts; making it clear to the reader how various parts of the text
are related; use of different signaling words; citing or acknowledging sources of ideas;
Example: “This has sometimes led to disputes between religious and secular clergy, between orders and bishops. For
example, in the Northern context, the previous bishop of Down and Connor, Dr. Philbin, refused for most of his period of
leadership in Belfast to have Jesuits visiting or residing in his diocese.” (Feature of Academic Writing, 2020)
4. Complexity - Complex ideas could be simplified using a simple language or commonly used idioms that are understandable
to a specific target audience.
Example: He studied hard because he wanted to go to medical school as he suffered from arthritis.
5. Precision - Exactness and accuracy of the data presented are visible.
Example: The turn of events depressed the girl.
6. Hedging – focuses on the strength of claims you are making; the use of linguistic devices to express hesitation or uncertainty
as well as to demonstrate politeness and directness; using of devices such as modal verbs (would, may, can, might, should),
adverbs (often, sometimes, usually) and verbs (tend, suggest, think, believe, doubt)
Example: The lives they chose may seem overly ascetic and self-denying to most women today.
7. Responsibility - Demonstrating an understanding of the source text, provide evidence and justification for, any claims made;
claims being made are justified.
Example: I cannot go to your party tonight. I have to be up early tomorrow for work.
Nature and Characteristics of an Academic Text:
1. Structure – formal and logical (Introduction, Body, Conclusion); must be cohesive and possess a logically organized flow
of ideas.
2. Tone – refers to the attitude conveyed in a piece of writing; arguments of others are fairly presented with an appropriate
narrative tone
3. Language – use of formal language and the third person point-of-view
4. 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
5. Complexity – addresses complex issues that requires higher-order thinking skills to comprehend.
6. Evidence-based arguments – 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.
7. Thesis-driven – a particular perspective, idea or position applied to the chosen research problems, such as establishing,
proving, or disproving solutions to the questions posed for the topic.
