The 3 Main Areas to Consider
When approaching academic texts, it is important to consider three main areas to ensure that your reading is critical and informed:
Author & Source: Consider the author’s expertise, affiliations, the source’s reliability, currency of the work, intended audience, and purpose (informative vs. persuasive or biased).
Evidence: Assess whether claims are supported by strong evidence, opinions are distinguished from facts, citations are reliable, visuals are relevant, and (for research) methodology is sound, limitations acknowledged, and results aligned with objectives.
Assumptions & Bias: Check if assumptions are reasonable, alternative viewpoints considered, other perspectives fairly represented, conclusions logical, and language neutral without bias
Tentative Language (Hedging)
Academic writing avoids absolute statements unless fully proven. Using tentative language signals openness to alternative interpretations and strengthens credibility. Examples include:
- Avoid absolute statements; use tentative expressions like possibly, probably, might, appears to, suggests that, it is generally agreed that…
- Avoid words like obviously, clearly, without a doubt, always, it goes without saying…
- Include counter-arguments to show critical awareness using phrases like Although it has been suggested that…, Opponents claim that… however…, Despite… nonetheless…
- Tip: Consider potential critics’ viewpoints and address them.
- Practice: Rewrite statements to be more cautious, e.g., “A drop in production may result…”, “Research outputs tend to decrease…”, “Students seem to have difficulty…”
Reading and Vocabulary
- Vocabulary is a major challenge for non-native speakers; lack of familiarity with academic language hinders comprehension.
- Strategies: Learn word families, handle unknown words, and beware of false friends.
Key Vocabulary Lists
1. GSL (General Service List): ~2,000 common words; covers most spoken/written English; general, not academic.
- AWL (Academic Word List): 570 word families common in academic texts but not in GSL; divided into 10 sublists by frequency. Example: achieve → achieve, achievable,
3. NAWL (New Academic Word List): Updated 2013 version; based on a large academic corpus (journals, textbooks, spoken English).
Collocations & Formulas:
1. ACL (Academic Collocation List): Common word combinations:
- Adjective + noun: cultural diversity
- Verb + noun: face a challenge
- Noun + noun: learning environment
- Adverb + adjective: virtually impossible
- Verb + adverb: think differently
- Verb + adjective: prove useful
2. AFL (Academic Formulas List): Includes formulaic phrases, discourse markers, signpost phrases, idioms, and phrasal verbs used in academic texts.