MODULE 1: Fundamental Considerations on Text Production and Consumption Flashcards
What are the FACTORS that affect Writing and Speaking? (4)
- Topic
- Role of the Writer
- Purpose of the Material
- Target Audience
There are a lot of topics that you can consider in writing academic and professional texts. Still, the key here is _____ your material for your audience and considering your ___ __ ____ in choosing your topic.
- customizing, level of expertise
The role of the writer in academic and professional writing intersects at some point but differs at many levels. This is affected by the ____ of the writer, his/her knowledge of the topic, and the type of audience he/she will have.
- purpose
The purpose of writing whether it is for the ___ or a specific field of expertise falls under two categories: (1) to ___ other learn about a ____, carry out a ____, or make a ____; and (2) to reinforce or change the ____ and motivate readers to ___ ___ (Markel & Selber, 2018).
- academe, help, subject, task, decision, attitude, take action
According to ___ (n.d.), an ____ paper could be written for an instructor or a group of professors. On the other hand, a ____ paper in the form of a technical report is written for colleagues in your field.
- Nilep, academic, professional
What are the ASPECTS of Professional and Academic Language? (4)
- Formality
- Objectivity
- Explicitness
- Hedging
According to ____ University (n.d.), the level of formality “should be determined by the audience’s expectations and the writer’s purpose.”
- Purdue
The levels of formality are ___, ___-____, and ____.
- formal, semi formal, informal
It is advised that one should use the ___ tone when writing or speaking to an unknown audience.
- formal
A person is allowed to use a ____ tone when writing to speaking with an individual that is well known to him/her.
- semi-formal
One should take note that the ____ tone has no place in academic or professional writing.
- informal
What are the 3 levels of Formality?
- formal
- semi-formal
- informal
Academic and professional language should be ____ and ____.
- objective, unbiased
According to ___ & ___, (2018), if readers suspect that you are trying to ____ peoples’ opinions about an issue, by ____ or ____ facts, they will doubt the validity of the entire document/statement.
- Markel & Selber, manipulate, overstating, omitting
Things you should avoid to ensure objectivity in your language: (3)
- Personal language
- Emotive language
- Judgmental language
Using this would depend on the writing context, purpose and audience. This would help the writer or speaker establish a connection and convey his/her passion and involvement in the topic.
- Personal language
This type of language appeals to the emotions or values of the audience. This language attempts to stir the emotion of the readers/listeners through superlatives and exaggeration.
- Emotive language
This language shows the personal judgment of the writer or speaker. It sound as though the speaker/writer has come to a conclusion based on his/her previously-held beliefs rather than through a review of the relevant literature.
- Judgmental language
Use ____ and ___ language. Stay away from the figurative language such as metaphor, simile, and irony as these can obscure the meaning of your statement.
- clear, direct
According to ____ (2020), explicitness is needed (1) to make it clear to the readers how the various parts of the text are related and (2) to acknowledge the sources of the ideas in the text.
- Gillet
According to Gillet (2020), why is explicitness needed?
- (1) to make it clear to the readers how the various parts of the text are related
- (2) to acknowledge the sources of the ideas in the text
Why do we need to use signaling words? (5)
- to signal the readers that the line of argument is going to change
- to indicate that the sentence gives reasons for something in another sentence
- to signal that you are giving extra information
- to explicitly tell the readers that you are giving exmaples
- to acknowledge the sources of the ideas that were used
Hedging refers to the use of ______ devices to express hesitation or _____ as well as to demonstrate politeness and indirectness (enago.com., 2020).
- linguistic, uncertainty
Hedging is used to ____ one’s words and to avoid making a ____ statement, or committing to a particular action or decision.
- soften, direct
Several reasons why people use hedged language: (3)
- minimize the possibility of another academic opposing the claims that are being made
- to conform to the currently accepted style of academic writing
- to enable the author to devise a politeness strategy where they can acknowledge that there may be flaws in their claims
Different types of hedged language and their examples:
- Introductory verbs (seem, tend, look, like, appear to be, think, believe, doubt, be sure, indicate, suggest)
- Nouns (assumption, likelihood, possibility, probably)
- Lexical verbs (believe, assume, suggest, seem, interpret)
- Modal verbs (can, could, may, might, should, would)
- Modal adverbs (possibly, perhaps, conceivably, arguably, certainly, definitely, clearly)
- Modal adjectives (possible, probable, certain, definite, clear, likely)
- That clauses (it could be the case that…, it might be suggested that…, there is every hope that…, it can be concluded that…)
One should use ____ sparingly as readers/listeners might be confused as to where the writer or speaker stand on regarding a specific issue.
- hedging
Hedging is often used in ____ ___, ____ ____, and ____ ____.
- academic writing, legal documents, news reports
