GRAMMAR FOR ACADEMIC
AND PROFESSIONAL
DISCOURSE
MODULE 2
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
o Determine the structure of a specific academic
text;
o Describe/differentiate the language used in
academic texts from various disciplines in terms of
form, structure, tone, point of view, and voice; and
o Used said descriptions in forming own academic
text.
Academic and professional texts can be
set apart in five common ways or
features:
1. FORM
2. STRUCTURE
3. TONE
4. POINT OF VIEW
5. VOICE
1. FORM
Abstract words - pertain to intangible characteristics,
qualities, ideas, or concepts.
Concrete words – refers to words that are tangible
characteristics or qualities that can be perceived by the
senses.
Example:
• “I had a great time in school.” Abstract
• “I found the biology experiment an enjoyable activity.”Concrete
More examples of Abstract and Concrete statements:
ABSTRACT CONCRETE
1. The freedom that they felt after 1. This is my house.
leaving the prison was priceless.
2. At the end of the day, love will be 2. The dog barked loudly in the park.
the savior of the world.
3. I was delighted at the news of her 3. I need to buy a new car.
success.
4. Alex had a fear that he would fall 4. The taste of lemonade was
down. refreshing on a hot day.
5. Don’t underestimate your own 5. The smell of flowers filled the air in
strength. the garden.
2. STRUCTURE
Basic academic papers consists of three distinct parts:
introduction, body, and conclusion.
INTRODUCTION – presents the text’s main or
argument
BODY – contains developed points in support of the
introduction; and
CONCLUSION – reviews key ideas covered in the
text and stresses its relevance.
Contractions are two (or more) words
combined to form one shorter, yet more
informal sounding word.
Examples:
1. Do you think he'll pass his driving test?
2. I'll see you next week.
3. I'm going for a walk.
4. It's freezing outside!
5. I've never been here before.
6. I should've checked with the teacher first.
3. TONE
Tone refers to the writer's voice in a written work.
It is what the reader or hearer might perceive as the
writer's attitude, bias, or personality. Words typically
used in spoken language or slang may not be the
best choices when writing academic texts.
Example:
[Link] the habit, won’t you? It freaks me out!
[Link] habit does not flatter you; quitting might be a good
idea.
4. POINT OF VIEW
Point of view is a person's opinion or particular way of thinking
about something. It is a position or perspective from which
something is considered or evaluated.
Statements written in the first and second person make writing
sound too personal, impacting the objective, formal tone
academic and professional writing is known for. Writing in the
third person is thus recommended for writing academic and
professional texts.
Take these statements as example:
First person statement: I surveyed 50 people
who all said they use social media.
Third person statement: The researcher
surveyed 50 respondents who all claimed to
utilized social media.
• He was a great student.
• She succeeded in every way.
5. VOICE
Voice, in grammar, is a form of a verb indicating the
relation between the participants in a narrated event
(subject, object) and the event itself. Common
distinctions of voice found in languages are those of
active and passive voice.
Active Voice The subject performs the action on the
Passive Voiceobject.
The subject is being acted upon.
PATTERNS FOR ACTIVE AND
PASSIVE VOICE
ACTIVE VOICE (Subject + Verb + Object)
• Rina gave me the book.
• She is writing this essay.
PASSIVE VOICE (Object + Verb + by + Subject)
• The book was given to me by Rina.
• This essay is written by her.
ACTIVITY: Give what is being required in the table.
ACTIVE VOICE PASSIVE VOICE
1. Anna paints the house. The house was painted by Anna.
2. The teacher always answers the The student’s questions were
student’s questions. answered by the teacher.
3. Ali posted the video online. The video was posted online by Ali.
4. Reporters write news report. News report was written by
reporters.
5. The company hired new workers New workers were hired by the
last year. company last year.
GAUGE
A. Identify whether the following statements apply to academic and
professional writing. It they do, write YES on the space provided; if not,
write NO.
1. Statements are best written in the second point of view to maintain
an engaging tone.
2. Statements are best written in a formal tone and concrete form.
3. Academic writing uses jargons aligned with the specific field one is
writing to/for.
4. Statements are best written with contractions to sound
conversational.
5. Statements involving slang are encouraged, since they are more
colloquial and are thus easier to relate to.
CALIBRATE 2.4: Active
versus Passive Voice
Change to following sentences into an active voice or passive voice.
1. Economists predict a global food crisis by 2030.
2. Health experts suggest daily walks for about 30 minutes to increase
longevity.
3. The world’s leading designers claim that serif fronts are making a
comeback in 2021.
4. Aerial shots of Earth from space show massive glaciers melting due to
global warming.
5. Business and technology experts from all over the globe convene in
creating opportunities in post-pandemic.
END OF MODULE 2