TRI DUC ENGLISH ✦ ACADEMIC EDGE UNIT 16 EDITION Fixed Expressions Chunks of language · Generalising and specifying · Linking arguments — Enhancing academic fluency If we look at a corpus of academic texts, we see that certain chunks of language occur very frequently in spoken and written contexts. This unit looks at some of the most useful ones. A. Number, quantity, degree Look at these comments written by a college teacher on assignments handed in by her students. Note the expressions in bold. A good paper. It's clear you've spent a great deal of time researching the subject and you quote a wide range of sources. Grade: B Some good points here but it's not clear to what extent you're aware of all the issues involved. Global trade affects nations in a variety of ways . Grade: C I think you've misunderstood the topic to some extent . You've written in excess of 1 3,000 words on areas that are not entirely relevant. Let's talk. Grade: F 1 more than B. Generalising and specifying In this class discussion, the students make fairly general statements, while the teacher tries to make the discussion more specific. Marsha: Well, I think on the whole parents should take more responsibility for their kids. Teacher: Yes, with respect to 1 home life, yes, but in the case of violence, surely the wider community is involved, isn't it? I mean, for the purposes of our discussions about social stability, everyone's involved, aren't they? Marsha: Yes, but in general I don't think people want to get involved in violent incidents, as a rule at least. They get scared off. Teacher: True. But as far as general discipline is concerned , don't you think it's a community-wide issue? I mean discipline as regards 2 everyday actions, with the exception of school discipline. What do you think, in terms of public life, Tariq? Tariq: I think the community as a whole does care about crime and discipline and things, but for the most part they see violence as something that is outside of them, you know, not their direct responsibility. Teacher: OK. So, let's consider the topic in more detail 3 . I mean from the point of view of violence and aggression specifically in schools... 1 or in respect of , or (more neutral) with regard to 2 anoth...