Differences between EAP and EGP Features of EAP

Categories for the main distinguishing features of Academic English Complexity Formality Precision Objectivity Explicitness Accuracy Hedging Responsibility

Complexity Making the text lexically more dense Using more varied vocabulary Making use of more noun-based phrases Employing more subordinate clauses Applying more passive structures

Complexity: examples Spoken We need to carefully consider how we apply the results. Written The application of the results needs to be carefully considered.

Complexity: examples Instead of using 'people', 'somebody', ‘we’ or 'they', write a passive sentence with an appropriate verb form. We can solve the problem. The problem can be solved.

Formality Avoiding colloquial language (stuff, a lot of, thing, sort of) – Idiom / Slang (in the black, in the red / quick win) – Phrasal verbs (put off, bring up) Avoiding contractions (can't, doesn't, shouldn't)

Formality: examples Unfortunately, since there are so many possible explanations, the correct one is most difficult to find out. Unfortunately, since there are so many possible explanations, the correct one is most difficult to ascertain.

Formality: examples Informal / Formal help / assist show / demonstrate tell / inform

Precision  Giving exact measurement - numbers and figures are concerned  Indicating priority / level where appropriate

Objectivity Making little reference to the writer or reader – Avoiding the first person unless required / appropriate Placing the main emphasis on the information – Focusing on nouns and adjectives Avoiding personal bias, recognising this in texts Basing your position on evaluation of the evidence Making little reference to the writer or reader

Objectivity: examples Don't write: "You can easily forget how different life was 50 years ago. " Write: "It is easy to forget how difficult life was 50 years ago."

Objectivity: examples Сhanging verbs to nouns a. The Normans invaded in The Norman invasion took place in b. The bomb exploded and caused many casualties. The bomb explosion caused many casualties.

Explicitness Giving a clear indication of the relationships in the text Indicating the specific relationship through ‘signal words’ Stating the purpose / point of view directly Avoiding ambiguity

Accuracy Being careful as to the exact meaning of vocabulary Recognising the importance of the form of the words Using field specific terms where appropriate

Accuracy: examples Choosing the correct word: "meeting", "assembly", "gathering" or "conference". Or from: "money", "cash", "currency", "capital" or "funds".

Accuracy: advice Check how good you are at finding mistakes. Check In writing, proof-read your work.proof-read

Hedging Indicating the strength of your position carefully Indicating the strength of the evidence precisely Being careful to acknowledge other positions / evidence

Language used in hedging Verbs: (e.g. seem, tend, appear to be, believe, be sure, indicate, suggest) Adverbs: (e.g. certainly, definitely, clearly, probably, possibly, perhaps, apparently) Modal verbs: (e.g. would, could, may) Adjectives: (e.g. certain, probable, undoubted) Nouns: (e.g. assumption, possibility, estimate)

Responsibility Providing evidence for the claims you make Setting out the justification for your position Demonstrating your understanding of the source material

Research findings into the grammar of Academic English 60% of all content is nouns (3-4 nouns for every verb) 94% of all verb use is in the simple form 70% of all tenses used are present 25% of all verb forms are in the passive

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