Academic English I: Language of trends & analysis BY: DIMUTHU DE SILVA

What is academic English and writing? A broad definition of academic writing is any writing done to fulfill a requirement of a college or university. Academic writing is also used for publications that are read by teacher and researchers or presented at conferences. A very broad definition of academic writing could include any writing assignment given in an academic setting.

Where is academic writing used? Academic writing is used mainly in: Books and book reports Translations Research Papers Conference Papers Academic Journals Dissertations and Theses Abstract Explications

Characteristics of academic writing Academic writing needs to have a proper Plan Outline Tone Language Point of View Approach

Structure Structure of a piece of writing will have: An introduction A Body A Conclusion

What will you write about ?

Language of analysis Defining meaning through Discourse: Adding something Moreover; In addition; Additionally; Further; Further to this; Also; Besides; What is more. Initial position Making a contrast between two separate things, people, ideas, etc. However; On the other hand; In contrast; Yet. Initial position Making an unexpected contrast (concession) Although; Even though; Despite the fact that; In spite of the fact that; Regardless of the fact that. Initial position Starts a second/ subordinate clause

Language of analysis Saying why something is the case Because; Since; As; Insofar as. Initial position Starts a second/ subordinate clause Saying what the result of something is Therefore; Consequently; In consequence; As a result; Accordingly; Hence; Thus; For this reason; Because of this. Initial position Expressing a condition If; In the event of; As long as...; So long as...; Provided that...; Assuming that...; Given that.... Initial position Making what you say stronger On the contrary; As a matter of fact; In fact; Indeed. Initial position

Describing trends A trend is the overall idea of the graph. A trend tells what is happening/what happened the main change over time the most noticeable thing about the graph the pattern over time the pattern for different places or groups or people.

Activity: Describing trends Be constant Expansion Growth reduction Stability Climb Extension Improvement Rise Stagnation Cut Go down Push down Soar stay at Collapse Fall Level off Shoot up Stand at

Activity: Describing trends increase decrease maintain Increment decrement stay at raise drop keep rise reach a peak step up cut grow decline remain stable expand go down fall improve

Activity: Describing trends

Pie charts Single Pie Chart Paragraph 1 Describe what sort of chart it is and what it is about. Paragraph 2 Describe the sections of the graph starting with the biggest and working your way down. Paragraph 3 A short conclusion giving an overall view of what the chart is about. At this this stage if two charts are being discussed compare and contrast differences

Pie charts Percentage Fraction 80% four-fifths 75% three-quarters 70% seven in ten 65% two-thirds 60% three-fifths 55% more than half 50% half 45% more than two fifths 40% two-fifths 35% more than a third 30% less than a third 25% a quarter 20% a fifth 15% less than a fifth 10% one in ten 5% one in twenty

Activity: Pie charts

Expressing Approximations We use words to express approximation when the point we are trying to describe is between milestones on the graph. Well over Just under Well under Just over Roughly Nearly Approximately Around About