TASK 2

Some students think that academic essays are problematic because they are written in long sentences that are
primarily compound-complex and use words that are hard to understand.

How do you distinguish an academic text from a business letter or a personal essay? Below is a table that will
help you answer this question. Reread the four texts and fill out this table based on your evaluation of the texts.

TEXT A TEXT B TEXT C TEXT D

What is the text The work covers In particular, the In the text, Prof. The text is an ex-
about? the difficulties author discusses Lanuza is invited to parte motion
(subject/focus) English teachers in how she modifies the 5th Annual requesting an
the Philippines her vocabulary when ASEAN English extension to submit
experience when speaking to her Teachers' a Compromise
instructing pupils in mother and in other Conference and is Agreement in a legal
written English, situations. The work asked for details case.
focusing in also examines the regarding their work
particular on the author's personal and how the
common mistakes experiences with conference may
in areas like word other English help.
choice, subject- dialects.
verb agreement,
and other areas.
What is the writer’s The author's The author's The author wants to The writer wants to
goal in writing? intention is to draw intention is to invite Prof. Lanuza ask for an extension
(purpose) attention to the consider how her to the conference, of time to submit the
frequent usage of English let them know compromise
grammatical differs depending on they've been chosen agreement since
mistakes made by the situation and for an award, and one of the
Filipino college audience. She also learn more about defendants who
students and to talks about how non- their work in order to must sign a special
examine the standard English is prepare and support power of attorney
theories and seen in society. the conference. isn't available.
methods employed
in English language
instruction to
remedy these
problems.
Who is the target The target group The target audience The target reader is The target reader is
reader of the text? seems to be is likely readers Prof. Lanuza, who is the Honorable Court
(audience) educators, interested in being invited to the presiding over the
linguists, and policy language, cultural conference and legal case.
makers who are identity, and the asked to provide
interested in the challenges of information about
difficulties communication in their work.
associated with diverse linguistic
teaching English as contexts.
a second language
in the Philippines.

What is the point The text is written The text is written in The text is written in The text is written in
of view used in the in the third person the first person, with the second person, the third person,
text? (First person, point of view, the author sharing addressing Prof. representing the
second person, presenting her personal Lanuza directly. defendants' legal
third person)
information experiences and counsel.
objectively. reflections.
How much does By citing research The author has a The author is aware
the writer know articles, authors, thorough awareness of both the
about the subject? and theories about of both her personal conference's
(writer’s English language experiences and the sponsorship scheme
knowledge) instruction in the difficulties that come and Prof. Lanuza's
Philippines, the with language and selection for the
author exhibits a communication in award.
solid understanding her particular
of the issue. cultural setting.
How did the writer The text is The text is The text is
organize the text? organized as an organized as a organized as a
(style) informative essay, personal narrative, formal letter,
presenting with the author including a
information in a recounting specific salutation, invitation,
structured manner incidents and and request for
with headings and reflecting on her information.
subheadings. language use. It
includes dialogue
and anecdotes to
illustrate her points.
Did the writer write The discussion of The author shares The tone is formal
in a formal or theories and her feelings and and professional,
informal manner? research results observations reflecting the official
(tone) pertaining to the regarding language nature of the
teaching of English and identity in a invitation and
as a second pensive and request.
language is done in introspective tone.
an academic and
formal tone.
How did the writer Maintaining a The writer uses a The writer uses
choose the words scholarly tone mix of formal and formal language and
and organize the throughout the informal language to a polite tone
sentences? Was article, the author convey her thoughts throughout the
the language
uses formal and experiences, letter, maintaining
formal, informal, or
casual? language and adapting her professionalism in
vocabulary language to the communication.
appropriate for an context of each
academic situation she
discussion. describes.