What Is Academic Writing? Dos and Don’ts for Students

While it’s perfectly normal to use slang when chatting with friends or writing in a journal, the same can’t be done for your essays, research papers, or any other form of academic paper. The reason is that in an academic setting, you need to follow a more formal style of writing. If you are familiar with formal writing, then you are one step closer to delivering good academic writing. However, you need to know many peculiarities and rules of academic writing. So, if you’re a student, you might want to read on as we go over 5 of the most common dos and don’ts of academic writing.

The 5 Dos And Don’ts Of Academic Writing For Students

If you want to succeed at anything, you need to know the rules. Regarding academic writing, there are rules to follow, especially if you want to get good grades. While different schools might have specific rules, we will be going over 5 of the most basic dos and don’ts of academic writing, so stay tuned.

The Dos

• Write Clearly And Objectively
• Write Formally Without Any Bias
• Content Should Be Well Structured
• Include References And Citations
• Research Should Be Correct And Verified

1. Write Clearly And Objectively

Each sentence should be written in the purposeful language. You might be tempted to add some filler words, maybe to meet word count requirements, but that will only diminish the quality of your writing. If you want to learn how to write effectively and get good grades, hire an academic writer from trust essay writers. They offer quality academic papers you can learn from.

2. Write Formally Without Any Bias

It’s the writer’s responsibility to ensure that they put aside any bias when writing. This will make your writing more respected and reliable. Always ensure to base your arguments on evidence. Also, it’s important to use a formal tone in your writing.

3. Content Should Be Well Structured

Make sure to write according to the requirements of your school or journal that you want to submit your academic writing to. Generally, your writing should have an introduction, body, and conclusion. At your school, there might be other rules regarding font styles, formatting, citation, etc., which you should adhere to.

4. Include References And Citations

To improve the informational value of your paper, include references to any statistic or important fact you introduce. These references should follow the correct citation format. Again, different schools will have their own rules, so investigate independently.

5. Research Should Be Correct And Verified

Most qualitative academic writings are not done in a day. So, before writing, make sure your facts have been adequately verified. This might take some time, but it’s worth the wait.

The Don’ts

• Plagiarism
• Unnecessarily long sentences
• Emotions in writing
• Personal language
• Exceeding the word count

1. Plagiarism

Plagiarism is often frowned upon, even when accidental, with punishments going as far as expulsion. Always make sure to give proper references when citing others’ work. Also, distinguish your academic writing by including as much original research  as possible. 

2. Unnecessarily Long Sentences

The reader can easily lose track of what’s being communicated if sentences and paragraphs are too long. This is why writing is important and should be developed as a skill. When you notice that a sentence is too long, re-read it and identify areas where it can be broken down.

3. Emotions In Writing

Academic writing is generally meant to be free of emotions, even when the topic is a sensitive one. So make sure to present your arguments without making your readers question your professionalism.

4. Personal Language

Avoid personal pronouns such as “you” or “I.” While it isn’t always easy, it’s important to present facts, not opinions, in your writing. So, unless you’re writing a college admission essay, leave out any personal language in your academic writing.

5. Exceeding The Word Count

While it might seem silly, word counts are important in academic writing. Exceeding it can lead to some of your creative points being cut off. It’s better to stay under the word count than exceed it.

Bottom Line

Academic writing is something we must all engage in, especially in school. While it might seem daunting at first, you can learn by practicing. Make sure to follow the dos and don’ts mentioned in this article, and you should have the best results when writing your academic papers.