This document provides instructions and examples to differentiate between academic and non-academic text. Academic text has a formal tone, precise language, and objective style intended to inform or validate ideas through references to scholarly sources and research. It follows a standard introduction-body-conclusion structure. Non-academic text can have an informal tone and style, more subjective opinions, references to everyday experiences, and a looser structure. Examples are provided to identify whether short passages represent academic or non-academic text. Guidelines are also given to identify precise, impersonal, formal, and objective language.

1. I. Directions: Fill out the table to differentiate academic text from non-academic text. Choose
your answers from the box.
Formal To inform and/or validate idea
To entertain Subjective Objective
Related literature Research papers, Reports Everyday events
Contains slang and colloquialisms Diaries, Informal essays Public
Introduction-Body-Conclusion No fixed structure Scholarly audience
Characteristics Academic Non-academic
Audience
Purpose
Structure
Language
Style
Source of Content
Example

2. II. Directions: Read the passages below. Then, identify whether each passage can
be an academic text or non-academic text. Write AT for academic text and NAT for
non-academic text.
1. Just as the sun rises and peeps from the east, and as the roosters of the
neighborhood crow, the man gathered his be longings and left his house.
______2. When synthesizing information, a new understanding about a topic is developed by
using information from more than one source.
______3. Depression is one of society’s prevailing issues that requires attention. One’s mental
health is as important as one’s physical health.
______4. I want to obtain answers to the questions that are swarming in my mind. But, it
seems everything in life is just a cycle of questions with no answers in sight.
______5. He saw the pure crystal water turned crimson red as the monster devoured the
victim. He cried for help but it was too late.
______6. Statistics show that the higher percentage of the population prefer dogs over cats.
III. Directions: Read the following sentences and check the box that best fit the
category.
FORMAL
My essay will make it clear that the use of marijuana as a medicinal drug is not good.
The present paper will clarify that the use of marijuana as a medicinal drug proves to be
unorthodox.
IMPERSONAL
The researchers found out the leading factor of students’ absenteeism.
My classmates and I found out the leading factor of students’ absenteeism.
PRECISE
Approximately 75% of the group agreed to join the rally.
Around half of the group agreed to join the rally.
OBJECTIVE
In my opinion, the method involved to obtain the needed information was frustrating.
The method involved to obtain the needed information proved to be challenging.