CONCEPTUALISING CRITICAL ACADEMIC LITERACY

During her studies at the university, Anika often found herself needing to write essays and research papers. She realized that Academic English is a formal, structured, and precise variety of the (a)   language used in academic settings, such as universities, research institutions, and scholarly publications.

Answer explanation

Academic literacy is the how of scholarly/academic communication; it is a toolkit/formula for engaging with knowledge. It can (and should) be cultivated in any language (not just English) that enables learners to access, critique, and contribute to their fields. But at UFS we use English as the medium of instruction.

During a university seminar, David presented a paper on climate change. What is the primary purpose of academic writing?

• To entertain readers with creative stories

• To persuade, inform, or analyze using evidence and logic

• To share personal opinions without evidence

• To write casually for a general audience

During a university seminar, Emma presented her research findings. What kind of language did she use in her presentation?

• Slang and regional dialects

• Poetic and metaphorical language

• Informal and conversational language

• Formal and precise language

How does academic writing approach personal opinions?

• It relies heavily on personal feelings without evidence

• It avoids personal opinions unless supported by evidence

• It uses "I feel" statements throughout

• It excludes any form of opinion entirely

Answer explanation

Academic writing is not about limiting your thoughts/opinions/perspective—it’s about grounding your opinion/thoughts/perspectives in shared evidence. Writers still "speak" through their own analysis, but their authority comes from engagement with sources, not unsupported conviction. This discipline applies to all academic languages and fields, from scientific Chemistry studies to Education studies.

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Example:
❌ Instead of saying, "I feel climate change isn’t serious."
✅ You may reveal that "Peer-reviewed studies indicate a 97% consensus on human-induced climate change (NASA, 2023)."

During a university seminar, Daniel presented his research findings. What is a common structural feature of academic writing that Daniel should have followed in his presentation?

• A lack of organization or clear sections

• A logical structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion

• A single unbroken block of text

• Random lists with no transitions

How does academic writing handle evidence?

• It rarely includes evidence or sources

• It uses made-up examples without verification

• It integrates evidence from credible sources with citations

• It relies solely on the writer’s imagination

During a university seminar, Professor Smith emphasized the importance of maintaining a specific tone in academic writing. He asked the students to consider how their writing should reflect professionalism and clarity. What is the tone of academic writing generally like?

• Neutral and objective

• Playful and humorous

• Emotional and dramatic

• Aggressive and confrontational

During a university seminar, Rohan noticed that the papers presented by his peers were filled with various terms and phrases. He wondered what type of vocabulary is typical in academic writing.

• Specialized and discipline-specific terminology

• Vague and ambiguous terms

• Repetitive and basic phrases

• Simple, everyday words only

In short, what aspects of academic reading and writing are clear to you?

What aspects of academic reading and writing are still unclear to you?