LESSON 1: READING ACADEMIC TEXTS LESSON 2: THESIS STATEMENT, TOPIC

SENTENCE, CRITIQUE PAPER

Academic text is defined as critical, objective, specialized texts
written by experts or professionals in a given field using formal
THESIS STATEMENT
language. This means that academic texts are based on facts with
 It is the basic stand that an author takes, an
solid basis or evidence and always contain citations.
opinion that he expresses, and the major point
Non-academic texts are usually on general topics and use casual or that he wishes to make about his subject. (It is
colloquial language, and may contain the writer’s personal opinions. about a debatable topic)
 Therefore, it should clearly identify an argument.
FEATURES OF ACADEMIC WRITING  It contains the controlling idea of the essay, and
therefore, gives the direction and the unity to all
1. Formality- adheres to the set standards acceptable in the the separate elements of the writing.
academic and professional community.

To achieve formality in writing: PARTS OF A THESIS STATEMENT (T, C, R)

TOPIC CLAIM REASON/S
 Avoid contraction, instead use expanded modal form. what is being the author’s details to
 Choose one verb form over two-word verbs talked about. main opinion or support the
 Choose expanded terms over their abbreviated assertion about claim
equivalents the topic
 Avoid figurative language/idioms
 Avoid slang and colloquial expressions Examples:
Vote buying in the Philippines is normal during elections
due to poverty and mal-education of a great fraction of
2. Objectivity- the writer avoids expressing personal opinions about
voters.
the subject matter and resorts to facts in presenting evidence. Registering to vote is important simply because it is normal
3. Structure- coherence and logical sequence of the ideas and to our moral and social responsibility.
information.
4. Precision- In academic writing, facts and figures are given TOPIC SENTENCE
precisely.  contains the dominating idea of the paragraph
5. Explicitness- Explain what you intend to achieve. which gives unity to the paragraph by developing
 Use linking words and phrases. one major point presented in the thesis.
6. Accuracy – Academic writing uses vocabulary and statistics  Thus, all the topic sentence in the paper is
accurately that conform to the correct value or standard. directed to the thesis.
7. Hedging- Writer makes decisions about his/her stance on a  It is usually the first sentence of the paragraph
particular subject. The strength of the claims must be considered. but sometimes is placed in any other position of
the paragraph. The other surrounding sentences
He/She also uses cautious language.
serves as the supporting information.
8. Responsibility – Writer must be responsible for demonstrating
and understanding of any source text used. All evidences and
justifications are provided to support the claims. PARTS OF A TOPIC SENTENCE
9. Organization – Academic writing is well-organized where the ideas TOPIC KEYWORD/S
are presented in a logical manner. what is being talked details that usually reflect
about. the writer’s opinion
DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEXT STRUCTURE
CHRONOLOGICAL: discussing things in order. Sequential steps Examples:
 Keywords: next, first, last, another, then, additionally, after Vote buying has a lot of negative effects.
A kalesa is attached to a horse in order to move.
CAUSE AND EFFECT: explaining a cause and its result
 Keywords: so, because, since, cause, for this reason, CRITIQUE/REACTION PAPER -is an example of an academic text
therefore, if…then, as a result, due to, effects of, this led to which is the product of critical assessment, analyses, and evaluation
of different works such as scholarly works, literary texts, films, books,
PROBLEM AND SOLUTION: presenting a problem and offering a game, or any work of art.
solution
 Keywords: problem, issue, idea, solution, so that, result,  Criticism is not about finding fault on the subject but
causes, effect elucidating both strengths and weaknesses of the material.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: discussing similarities (compare) and CRITICAL APPROACHES/ LITERARY CRITICISM THEORIES
differences (contrast).
 Keywords: same as, similar, alike, both, instead of, on the Reader Response Theory
other hand, as opposed to, different from  removes the focus from the text and is more
concerned with the reviewer’s reaction and
CLASSIFICATION-DIVISION: sorting information into topics and understanding as an audience of a text.
categories  Interested in the individual experience with a
 Keywords: first, finally, to begin, next, in addition, on the text rather than the correct interpretation. (what
other hand, for example, classified in, categorized by you feel)
Formalism
 focuses on the form of the work, the
relationships between the parts (structure of the
material; elements of the story)
 the construction of the plot, the contrasts
between characters, the point of view, narrative
techniques used, relationship of the form and
the content, the function of rhymes, symbolism
and so on.
 Definition by Example: Defining something by providing specific
instances, cases, or illustrations that exemplify its characteristics or
Feminism
qualities.
 focuses on how literature presents women as
subjects of socio-political, psychological, and Historical examples of oligarchies include certain ancient
economic oppression. Gender norms, breaking Greek city-states like Sparta, where power was held by a
free from societal expectation (stereotypes) small group of elite citizens based on wealth and status.
Marxism
 concerned with differences between economic THE CONCEPT PAPER
classes and implications of a capitalist system
(effect of capitalism), such as the continuing The concept paper defines an idea or a concept and explains its
conflicts between the working class and the elite. essence in order to clarify the “whatness” of that idea or concept.
(rich vs poor)
 attempts to reveal that the ultimate source of
people’s experience is the socioeconomic
system. THREE WAYS IN EXPLAINING A CONCEPT
 the common aspect looked are the social class as
represented in the work and social class of the 1.Definition is the method of identifying a given term and making its
writer and the characters. (elite vs working class) meaning clearer. Its main purpose is to clarify and explain concepts,
ideas, and issues by answering the question, “What does it mean?”

LESSON 3: ART OF DEFINING, ART OF DEFINING A INFORMAL DEFINITION- parenthetical or brief explanation
CONCEPT, THE CONCEPT PAPER  A democracy is a vote.

THE PURPOSE OF DEFINING

EXTENDED DEFINITION- detailed way of defining (formal
To clarify meaning of words, or to correct misinterpretations, or
and informal, comparison and contrast, etc.)
misuse of a term.
 “Oligarchy” implies power among a few elites,
TECHNIQUES OF DEFINING whereas “democracy” distributes power among
the entire populace.
FORMAL DEFINITION
2. Explication is a method of explanation in which sentences, verses,
✔ defining the term by giving the class where the term quotes, or passages are taken from a literary or academic work and
belongs (the genus) then interpreted and explained in a detailed way.
term genus
✔ and the characteristics that distinguish the term from
"To be, or not to be, that is the question." This
other terms, known as the differentia.
differentia

quote follows Hamlet's introspective soliloquy as he

Psychology is a branch of science that deals with the study of human. weighs the merits of continuing to endure life's struggles
or opting for the unknown of death, encapsulating the
timeless human pondering on the value and purpose of
existence.
Extended definition is needed to define abstract concepts. It allows
you to broaden your definition by using analogy, metaphors,
3. Clarification is a method of explanation in which the points are
comparison and contrast, descriptions, analysis, functions,
organized from a general abstract idea to specific and concrete
etymology, and semantic origin.
examples.
Signal Words: For example, For instance, Specifically,
Namely, Consider the following, etc.
Definition by Analysis: A method of defining something by breaking
it down into its constituent parts or elements to understand its Love involves first discussing general notions of affection
nature and characteristics. before exploring specific types like romantic or familial
love. For instance, understanding love's universal aspects
“Oligarchy” encompasses power and authority held by a
precedes delving into expressions such as unconditional or
select group of individuals or entities, typically
compassionate love. Specifically, this process reveals
distinguished by wealth, social status, or control over key
cultural variations in love's understanding and expression.
resources, often resulting in limited political representation
for the broader population.
LESSON 4: PARAPHRASING AND SUMMARAZING
OUTLINING
Definition by Etymology: Defining a word or concept by examining
its historical origins, development, and the meanings of its PARAPHRASING
component parts or roots. (Latin, Greek, etc.)
 own rendition of essential information and ideas
It derived from the Greek words "oligos" (few) and expressed by someone else, presented in a new form.
"arkhein" (to rule), indicating "rule by a few." (rephrases in one’s own words, must retain the original
meaning)
 a more detailed restatement than a summary, which
focuses concisely on a single main idea so it can be shorter
Definition by Compare and Contrast: Defining something by or longer than the original source
highlighting its similarities and differences with other related  one legitimate way to borrow from a source
concepts or objects to clarify its unique features.

Contrasted with democracy, oligarchy highlights the

concentration of power among a privileged few, often
SUMMARIZING
leading to inequalities in governance.
 involves putting the main idea(s) into one’s own words,
including only the main point(s)
  significantly shorter than the original A and B are essential components of “Making Instant Coffee,”
 a broad overview of the source material therefore, both are equally important as they collectively define the
topic.
SUMMARIZING TIPS LESSON 5: CONTENT AND STRUCTURE OF THE
1. Delete repeated and unnecessary details
CRITIQUE
2. Combine ideas from two or more sentences into one sentence.
3. Present the main idea and the important supporting ideas in the
same order as original. CRITIQUES
are paper that assess or evaluate the merits of a piece of work
ABSTRACT
a condensed summary that communicates the essential content of a CONTENT AND STRUCTURE OF A CRITIQUE
work (research or scholarly paper) in as few words as possible.
 Abstracting is an appropriate technique in summarizing a Accurate – accurate description of the word being evaluated by
literary text because it distills complex themes and ideas giving its summary and/background details. Answers
into concise, meaningful concepts.
Evaluate - writer’s overall judgment of the work. It makes this
OUTLINING judgment convincing by giving three or more supporting evaluations
of selected analytical elements of the work being evaluated.

- an outline serves as the map or blue-print of your essay.

Balanced- The writer shows balance by pointing out weaknesses of a
- allows a writer to categorize the main points, to organize the
work, if the overall judgment is positive, or the other way around.
paragraphs into an order that makes sense, and to make sure that
each paragraph/idea can be fully developed.
STEPS IN WRITING A CRITIQUE
- a well-developed outline will show what the thesis of the essay is,
what the main idea of each body paragraph is, and the
Step 1: Know the nature of the assignment, subject/work, and its
evidence/support that will be offered in each paragraph to
analytical elements.
substantiate the main points.
Step 2: View or Experience the Assigned Subject
Step 3: Outline your Concept Paper
How to write an outline?  Introduction
 Summary of the work being evaluated
1. Identify your topic and your thesis statement. Background information.
2. Decide what main points you would like to discuss in your paper  The reviewer’s/reactor’s overall judgement of
3. Put your points in logical, numerical order so that each point (You the subject of the work. This serves as the thesis
can subdivide the topics by system of numbers and letters, followed of the critique
by a period)  Starts with opening sentences that state the
4.Selected only the necessary information and arrange them writer, the title and give a brief explanation of
properly. the topic of the text.
 Body
TYPES OF OUTLINES:  Supporting opinions to the overall judgement
1. Topic Outline - provides a quick overview of topics to be  Support to these opinions: details about the
included in an essay. work being evaluated
2. Sentence Outline - summarizes each idea in a complete  Discusses and evaluates the strengths,
sentence that may become the topic sentence for a weaknesses, and important features of the text.
paragraph. The discussion should be based on specific
criteria and include other sources to support it.
OUTLINE FORMATS:
1. Alpha Numeric Outline – uses both alphabets and  Conclusion
numbers.  A restatement (using different wording) of the
2. Decimal Outline – uses whole and decimal numbers. overall judgement.
 Some final thoughts of the critic such as:
suggested actions or thoughts on the significance
Starting with the main idea in an outline ensures clarity of purpose or practical use of the work.
and helps create a logical flow of ideas, leading to focused and well-  Concludes the review with a restatement of the
organized writing that effectively communicates the central message overall opinion of the text. It can also include
to the audience. recommendations and some further explanation
of the judgement to show that it is fair and
Example: reasonable

Topic: Making Instant Coffee ▬►most important idea (it encompasses A &B) Step 4: Draft and edit your work.

A. Boil Water ▬►main point (more important idea than those below)
1. Heat water in a kettle
2. Bring water to a boil

B. Prepare Coffee ▬►main point (more important idea than those

below)
1. Add instant coffee powder to a cup
2. Pour hot water into the cup

The most important idea in the outline is the overarching concept of

“Making Instant Coffee.” This encompasses both A and B. The topic
represents the central focus of the outline.
куникулюс