Comparison between Text 3 and Text 4
Focus on nominal constructions (see Slides)
Sample answer
The first abstract, from the field of Translation, is characterised by several
instances of premodified nouns, but premodification tends to be simple, with
heads being mainly preceded by one element (e.g. replacement text), which
often belongs to general lexis (e.g. wrong word, feer rendering). By contrast,
the second abstract, from the field of Economics and Finance, contains
compact noun phrases that rely on more complex premodification, featuring up
to three premodifying adjectives and nouns (e.g. a dynamic panel threshold
model). The absence of complex premodification in the first abstract suggests
that there is no need to package information to form theoretical and abstract
concepts because the study deals with real-world entities, i.e./namely texts,
songs, translations. The compact nominal structures in the second abstract, on
the other hand, have to do with theoretical concepts (i.e. the dynamic tradeoff theory, heterogeneous leverage targets) or methodologies, indicating that
research in this field is about defining and measuring relationships between
theorized phenomena (e.g. heterogeneous speeds of adjustment in different
regimes) rather than concrete objects.
As regards/with regard to/as for/as far as postmodification is
concerned, both abstracts feature examples of long postmodifying
constructions. In both of them, postmodifiers are used to add information
about the head giving important details. In the first abstract, this is done in a
rather compact way, through the use of prepositional phrases and ed-clauses,
but an instance of more explicit embedding of finite relative clauses is also
found. In the second abstract, only prepositional phrases are used and only in
two instances, suggesting a slightly lower degree of dense postmodification.
Both abstracts also contain examples of postmodifying complement clauses.
They are the longest postmodifying constructions and are typical of academic
registers, since they allow writers to present results and make claims in a
concise way, while evaluating them (e.g. evidence that, a consistent pattern
that).
To conclude, both abstracts present a highly nominal style, which is a
distinctive trait of the academic register. However, they also differ in the
degree and type of information packaging, which is a sign of disciplinary
variation.
[336 words]
Useful expressions
By contrast: used to show that something is different from something else
On the other hand: used when comparing different ideas (often used
together with On the one hand)
However: used to introduce something that is different from what you have
just said (formal equivalent of but)
As regards X/with regard to X/as for X/as far as X is concerned: used
to introduce the topic you are talking about
e.g.: used to introduce examples
i.e.: from Latin (id est), used to explain exactly what you mean
namely: used when you want to give more detail or be more exact about what
you have just said
To conclude: used to signal that you are concluding your argument