Day 27: Academic Style

[15 min] Part I: Converting Informal to Formal: Verbs

Phrasal verbs, while extremely common in spoken English, are significantly rarer in academic texts. Let’s take a look at some sample writing that demonstrates this. Complete TASK EIGHT in the handout INFORMAL/FORMAL LANGUAGE HANDOUT

[35 min] Part II: Practice Informal/Formal Language

Learning to recognize informal language is the first step. Open up the document INFORMAL/FORMAL LANGUAGE WORKSHEET .You will be working in pairs to complete Part I of this worksheet. Read all the sample texts given. Then, complete the entire second column by identifying why each sentence has an “informal tone”.  Write your reasoning in the column. Finally, time permitting, you will work together to try and provide a more academic alternative sentence in the third column. We will go over possible answers together. *The handout will have "rules" that further explain this content.

Homework: Review the academic language handout and review the research paper to locate critique points.

Lesson Materials:

Nonacademic Words

Informal/Formal language Handout  //  Simplified Student Handout

Informal/Formal Language Worksheet  [Teacher KEY]

Shared Google Doc

For Monday...

[20 min]Part I: Identifying Points for Critique 

For this last part of today's class, I would like you to work together in groups to identify elements of the research paper that you feel would be good elements to critique. Remember, critique means assessing both “good and bad” parts to a paper. Let’s have a quick review on possible elements to critique in research papers:

1) Is their research significant? Does it contribute to the field?

2) How well-executed were their research methods or approach to the subject?

3) Were their results or argument founded in clear evidence?

4) How effective was the style and organization of their paper?

I will be placing you into three groups: Group A, Group B, and Group C. We will be sharing our thoughts with the class by writing on this CRITIQUE POINTS GOOGLE DOC. Be prepared to share your critique point ideas with the class.

[25 min] Part II: Workshop on Papers
I will be giving you this time in class to begin building your paper. We have looked at sample introductions, conclusions, and reviewed some points that could be critiqued. You should have all of the information needed to begin writing your paper. Please refer to the SUMMARY CRITIQUE SELF-REVIEW 

[5 min] Part III: Discuss Conferences