MODULE 1: Fundamental Considerations on Text Production and Consumption

Question 1

What are the FACTORS that affect Writing and Speaking? (4)

Answer 1

• Topic
• Role of the Writer
• Purpose of the Material
• Target Audience

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

• customizing, level of expertise

Question 3

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.

Answer 3

• purpose

Question 4

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).

Answer 4

• academe, help, subject, task, decision, attitude, take action

Question 5

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.

Answer 5

• Nilep, academic, professional

Question 6

What are the ASPECTS of Professional and Academic Language? (4)

Answer 6

• Formality
• Objectivity
• Explicitness
• Hedging

Question 7

According to ____ University (n.d.), the level of formality “should be determined by the audience’s expectations and the writer’s purpose.”

Answer 7

• Purdue

Question 8

The levels of formality are ___, ___-____, and ____.

Answer 8

• formal, semi formal, informal

Question 9

It is advised that one should use the ___ tone when writing or speaking to an unknown audience.

Answer 9

• formal

Question 10

A person is allowed to use a ____ tone when writing to speaking with an individual that is well known to him/her.

Answer 10

• semi-formal

Question 11

One should take note that the ____ tone has no place in academic or professional writing.

Answer 11

• informal

Question 12

What are the 3 levels of Formality?

Answer 12

• formal
• semi-formal
• informal

Question 13

Academic and professional language should be ____ and ____.

Answer 13

• objective, unbiased

Question 14

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.

Answer 14

• Markel & Selber, manipulate, overstating, omitting

Question 15

Things you should avoid to ensure objectivity in your language: (3)

Answer 15

• Personal language
• Emotive language
• Judgmental language

Question 16

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.

Answer 16

• Personal language

Question 17

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.

Answer 17

• Emotive language

Question 18

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.

Answer 18

• Judgmental language

Question 19

Use ____ and ___ language. Stay away from the figurative language such as metaphor, simile, and irony as these can obscure the meaning of your statement.

Answer 19

• clear, direct

Question 20

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.

Answer 20

• Gillet

Question 21

According to Gillet (2020), why is explicitness needed?

Answer 21

• (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

Question 22

Why do we need to use signaling words? (5)

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

Hedging refers to the use of ______ devices to express hesitation or _____ as well as to demonstrate politeness and indirectness (enago.com., 2020).

Answer 23

• linguistic, uncertainty

Question 24

Hedging is used to ____ one’s words and to avoid making a ____ statement, or committing to a particular action or decision.

Answer 24

• soften, direct

Question 25

Several reasons why people use hedged language: (3)

Answer 25

• 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

Question 26

Different types of hedged language and their examples:

Answer 26

• 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…)

Question 27

One should use ____ sparingly as readers/listeners might be confused as to where the writer or speaker stand on regarding a specific issue.

Answer 27

• hedging

Question 28

Hedging is often used in ____ ___, ____ ____, and ____ ____.

Answer 28

• academic writing, legal documents, news reports