Academic writing stands out as a formal, structured way to communicate ideas in scholarly settings.
Whether you’re a student crafting an essay or a researcher publishing a paper, understanding academic writing is essential.
This article explores what academic writing is, its characteristics, and purposes, and how it differs from other styles–equipping you with the basics to succeed.
What Is Academic Writing
Academic writing is the style of writing used in scholarly (i.e. academic) settings.
It’s used when:
- Writing essays for students’ coursework
- Writing reports, papers, and articles for publication in academic journals
- Writing theses and dissertations
Academic writing is also used when professors and researchers present findings to the academic community.
Publications such as Nature and Physics use academic writing to share new discoveries with other researchers.
Characteristics of Academic Writing
While different academic disciplines have different standards and conventions (known as “ genre” in linguistics), academic writing has the following key features:
1. Objectivity
Academic writing should not be subjective. This means you should avoid emotional language and unreliable information. Instead, anecdotes, opinions, and personal views should be omitted in favor of evidence.
The second paragraph of the example below shows poor academic writing because it expresses an opinion. By contrast, the second paragraph of the revised version writes more objectively, focusing on facts and the conclusions drawn from those facts.
Poor: Social media does not have a positive effect on children. Instead, it has a negative impact, with many of them being verbally abused.
Good: Although many young children have access to social media nowadays, its use has been linked to lower mental well-being.
2. Formal Tone
Academic writing should maintain a formal tone.
This means you should avoid slang, contractions, idioms (figurative expressions such as “fishing for compliments”), and conversational language. This is the type of language you’d use in everyday spoken and written English.
The research article below reflects a formal tone. None of the wording is conversational. There is no slang or relaxed language.
"Consistently, the studies have indicated that NSAIDs exert multiple functions, beyond a direct anti-inflammatory action, which contribute to increasing the vascular complications occurring during surgical procedures."
3. Use of Evidence
You need to support claims and arguments with evidence in academic writing.
This often comes in the form of research findings published in academic journals and formal research reports. You must reliably sample the available evidence and present it in your writing.
The research article below supports its claims with evidence. This evidence comes from other researchers’ observations and findings, which the article cites.
"Many studies reported the relation between chronic use of NSAIDs and increased perioperative bleeding during surgical procedures"
4. Impersonal Language
You should write in an impersonal style in academic writing.
Avoid personal references (like “I” and “we”).
Instead, opt for third-person references. Also, avoid direct references to readers in your choice of wording.
The example below shows the use of personal language (the words “I” and “my”).
In this paper, I argue that urban community gardens are essential for improving city life. They have made the same contribution in desert cities.
This excerpt avoids personal references and conveys its argument in an impersonal way. It also does not directly address the reader.
Urban community gardens should be promoted as a way of making city life more pleasant in places where climate conditions allow.
5. Precise Language
You need to be precise in your academic writing.
Avoid vague claims and any use of superlative adjectives such as “the best” which can see your argument interpreted in a number of different ways.
For example, the sentence below contains a vague term (“many”). It also makes a superlative claim by referring to “arguably the best exercise”.
"Many experts agree that walking is arguably the best exercise as it’s accessible for people of all fitness levels."
The revised version reflects precise language. It drops the vague word “many” and the superlative claim about walking.
"Research by Public Health England shows that walking is a popular, accessible form of physical activity among adults in England aged 16 and over."
6. Complex Sentence Structures
You can form complex sentences with subordinate clauses in academic writing.
Subordinate clauses convey additional meanings that can clarify or add detail to the main clause in a sentence.
Academic writing is longer and more complex than most workplaces and other forms of writing. This is because we often need to convey complex concepts. Or discuss several concepts at once.
"Adult men spend more time than women on physical activity every day in England. They spend more than double the amount of time on vigorous activity as women."
The second sentence conveys detail by introducing additional clauses.
"Adult men in England spend more than double the amount of time on vigorous activity as women do."
Types of Academic Writing
Depending on your degree type, you may need to master the different ways of writing academically.
- Essay
- Research paper
- Summary
- Journal article
- Thesis or dissertation
- Research proposal
- Literature review
- Reaction paper
- Lab report
- Annotated bibliography
Some of the most common forms of academic writing are:
Essays
Essays involve systematic exploration of a topic. You’ll show your understanding of the topic based on prescribed readings and sources you’ve researched yourself. Use multiple paragraphs to structure your essay’s findings into sections and subsections.
Here’s an example of an essay:
The Benefits of Urban Community Gardens
By _____
Community gardens allow city dwellers with limited access to garden space the opportunity to grow their own fruits and vegetables. They can benefit local neighborhoods as well. A study of Chicago’s urban community gardens found that they were catalysts for broader community organizing and led to improvements in the local environment. The Peter Flowers Urban Garden helped reduce crime rates. The reduction peaked at a rate 43% lower than the rate before the garden first became public.
On a broader level, community gardens allow participants to experience the therapeutic benefits associated with gardening. Participants gain access to unique multisensory experiences where they can interact with plants and vegetables. This has beneficial effects on their mental well-being.
Overall, urban community gardens represent a way of improving community life in cities and increasing yields of healthy food.
References Brown, H. (2012). The Fight for Space: How Fighting Crime and Managing Spaces are Interlinked – The Peter Flowers Urban Garden. Chicago city, retrieved 23 December 2023, from URL
————- (2020). Mental Benefits of Gardening. Horticulture, 94, 120–123.
Further Reading: What Are Some Types of Essays?
Dissertations and Theses
A dissertation or thesis is longer than an essay because you develop your research questions and methods yourself.
- A dissertation sums up findings from a series of experiments under the researcher’s supervision.
- A thesis summarizes attempts to answer a research question posed by the student to the faculty.
While an essay shows your analytical and evaluative skills, a dissertation or thesis shows your contribution to advancing research in the field.
Reports
You’ll need to write a report on some subjects. For example, business, healthcare, and environmental science courses often rely on reports. These rely more on visual content such as tables, graphs, and charts.
Example of a business report:
The Footwear Market in North America
Introduction
As of 2010, revenue in North America’s footwear market stood at USD 162 billion. A decade later, it increased by 35%. Revenue is forecasted to grow further at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% from 2022 to 2025. The market is projected to reach USD 203 billion in 2025.
The fast-growing, dynamic footwear market includes a broad range of products. These range from casual and dress shoes to athletic sneakers.
The market remains dominated by major brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Puma. These brands account for roughly 40% of the total footwear spending in the US.
However, consumer trends are shifting toward sustainable footwear options. Sustainability and environmental responsibility are top priorities for footwear consumers in the US and Canada. That includes recycled materials and fully biodegradable options.
Overall, the online and in-store sales of footwear in North America are expected to thrive in the coming years. The strong sales will likely be driven by new product releases, innovative designs, and investments in sustainability.
All of these forms of academic writing will increase in complexity across your studies. For example, your first year might involve writing 5,000 words per semester. By your final year, you might have to write between 10,000 and 15,000 words for dissertations.
Publications
Researchers and professors publish their high-quality research findings in academic journals. The goal of academic writing in publications is to contribute to advancing knowledge.
Features of academic writing for publications include:
- Relying on more specialized vocabulary than coursework assignments
- Use genre conventions and standards that differ by academic discipline
- Adhering to the publication standards of target academic journals
A research article geared for publication in a finance journal shows the features of publication-grade academic writing.
It uses specialized terminology like “vintage-price index” which is specific to the field of study and isn’t easily understood outside of this field.
The article’s formatting follows the requirements of the target academic journal.
The Baseball Card Project – A New Approach to the Classic Baseball Card Price Guide
The rarity and condition of a baseball card are well known to collectors, yet the empirical evidence to quantify the respective caliber of an individual card remains limited. This analysis recognizes the social, economic, and historical relevance of baseball cards as a distinct asset class and introduces the baseball card vintage-price index.
The baseball card vintage-price index in this study quantitatively demonstrates the value of vintage baseball cards across time. The vintage-price index results are reflective of over 6.5 million baseball card sale transactions, spanning decades in time.
This study forms the basis for the next steps of research and provides a foundational approach for quantitatively examining the price history and the athletic and investment relevance of the baseball card market.
As we move from undergraduate degrees through to master’s degrees, academic writing becomes more research-heavy. Academic writing at the postgraduate level involves conducting original experiments or surveys followed by results being summarized in papers.
How to Improve Academic Writing Skills
1. Write Regularly
Regular writing practice is essential for improving your academic writing skills.
Here are some exercises to try:
Journaling
Dedicate a few minutes each day to writing in a journal.
This could involve summarizing what you did yesterday. Analyzing research findings. Or evaluating the effectiveness of a method you tried for solving a particular problem.
Use free writing. Don’t focus on creating perfect sentences. Begin writing down ideas and how you connect them to others as much as possible. You can create polished and finalized versions of your writing later.
Abstracts
Select a journal article or research paper that’s written in a style you want to imitate.
Write a few paragraphs summarizing what your article would look like. Any tables and figures you would add.
Keep an eye on word count limits on target journals. Aim for around 200 to 500 words on abstracts.
Grading Rubrics
Ask your teacher or supervisor for grading rubrics. These are guides used to evaluate student writing.
Write essays or reports according to the guidelines in the grading rubrics. Ask your teacher to use the same rubrics to evaluate your writing.
2. Become Familiar with Genre Conventions and Standards
Different academic disciplines have their own rules. You’ll need to adapt your writing style depending on the academic discipline you’re studying.
From coursework to thesis reports, your writing must reflect the standards followed in your field. The same applies to writing for publication in academic journals.
Study the standards required by particular journals before submitting any articles. Then, try to imitate these standards when conducting your own research. And writing research articles.
3. Form Study Groups
Form a study group with university peers.
Discussions around writing shape your understanding of academic writing and practice it hands-on.
It’s also motivating to hold one another accountable for writing regularly.
You could even hire a writing coach to guide your group through the writing process.
4. Read Scholarly Articles
Reading scholarly articles shows you how to structure your writing. Pay extra attention to what makes the writing clear and engaging.
You’ll see how authors use evidence, provide additional information with subordinate clauses, and transition between their findings. You can (and should) start with the citation list to get a sense of which sources you should explore.
What you learn from reading articles will help you shape your writing style. The benefits of reading scholarly articles run beyond reading to writing.
You’ll also have the chance to learn new concepts and understand existing ones better.
Adopting an academic reading habit can be quite powerful. Designate some time each week. And decide how many articles or how many pages to read.
While reading articles, aim to document what you learn in a note-taking method that suits you.
5. Balance Critical and Impartial Views
The most common advice for writing an academic article is to start with some background. Then, evaluate previously published papers and methods.
Consider a different approach: summarizing key findings in terms of themes.
Every concluding remark you make must present facts and draw conclusions based on observations and evidence. Experiment with this way of thinking if you want to master objective language in academic writing.
6. Utilize AI Powered Tools
AI tools can streamline your writing process and enhance quality. Consider Humbot for its standout features:
- Summarizer: Quickly condense lengthy articles or research into concise summaries, perfect for abstracts or study notes.
- Text Humanizer: Transform stiff, robotic AI-generated essay drafts into natural, engaging prose that fits academic tone while feeling authentic.
- Citation Generator: Automatically format citations in styles like APA or MLA, saving time and ensuring accuracy.
These tools boost efficiency, letting you focus on ideas rather than mechanics. Integrate them into your workflow for polished, professional results.
7. Use The Checklist To Refine Every Piece
Use this 20-point checklist to ensure your writing meets academic standards:
- Clear Thesis: State your main argument or purpose upfront.
- Logical Structure: Organize with a distinct intro, body, and conclusion.
- Formal Tone: Avoid slang or casual phrases.
- Evidence-Based: Support claims with data or citations.
- Accurate Citations: Credit all sources correctly (try Humbot’s citation generator).
- Concise Sentences: Avoid unnecessary wordiness.
- Objective Language: Focus on facts, not personal bias.
- Proper Grammar: Check for spelling, punctuation, and syntax errors.
- Consistent Style: Follow your field’s format (e.g., APA, MLA).
- Relevant Sources: Use credible, up-to-date references.
- Defined Terms: Explain jargon or technical terms.
- Smooth Transitions: Link ideas between paragraphs.
- Focused Scope: Stick to your topic without tangents.
- Active Voice: Use when possible for clarity (e.g., “Researchers found” vs. “It was found”).
- Varied Sentences: Mix lengths for readability.
- No Plagiarism: Paraphrase or quote with proper attribution.
- Word Count: Meet assignment or journal limits.
- Proofread: Review for errors before submission.
- Audience Fit: Tailor tone and depth to readers (e.g., peers, professors).
- Polished Abstract: Summarize key points succinctly (use Humbot’s summarizer if needed).
Conclusion
Academic writing is a formal, evidence-based style that powers scholarly communication, from essays to journal articles. Its objectivity, precision, and structure set it apart, serving students and researchers alike. Master it, and you’ll excel in sharing knowledge and advancing your field!