English

for
Academic Purposes
What is
“Academic”
Writing?
Academic
Writing
Academic Writing
 process that starts with:
 Posing a question
 Problematizing a concept
 Evaluating an opinion
 Answering the question/questions posed or
 Clarifying the problem or
 Arguing for a stand
Purposes
 to inform

 to argue a specific point

 to persuade
 Features
of
Academic Texts
COMPLEX
Complexity in academic writing comes from the
fact that the standard written form of the English
language, which is compulsory to be used, is
different than the language we speak daily.
Vocabulary used by the written language is more
varied than the one used in conversations. It also
uses more complicated words that are not normally
used when talking with someone face to face
FORMAL

should avoid colloquial words and

expressions
PRECISE

Facts are given accurately and

precisely
OBJECTIVE
objective rather than personal
has fewer words that refer to the writer
or the reader
main emphasis should be on the
information that you want to give and
the arguments you want to make, rather
than you
EXPLICIT

itis the responsibility of the writer in English

to make it clear to the reader how the various
parts of the text are related
ACCURATE

 uses vocabulary accurately

most subjects have words with narrow
specific meanings
HEDGING

it is necessary to make decisions about

your stance on a particular subject, or the
strength of the claims you are making
RESPONSIBILITY

you must be responsible for, and must be

able to provide evidence and justification
for, any claims you make.
You are also responsible for
demonstrating an understanding of any
source texts you use
Structure of academic texts

 three-part essay structure 
 the reader is introduced to the topic that will be
discussed and to the argument that will be presented
 the discussion/analysis is carried out and the results
are presented
 the argument is summed up and conclusions are
drawn
Introduction

to provide the reader with a clear idea of

the focus and aim of the text
 the topic of the essay/article will be
presented in the introduction,
often accompanied by a thesis statement
(the claim that the writer wishes to make)
Introduction

provides the context/background of the

argument
introduces the theoretical perspectives,
terminology, etc. that will be used
explains how the writing will be
organized
Body

where the essay's (or article's) argument,

ideas and results are developed and
discussed
Conclusion

should not contain any new facts or

ideas, but rather function as a brief
restatement of the main arguments and
facts that have been treated in the essay