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How to Improve Academic Writing Style in 9 Simple Ways

To improve academic writing style and skills, know about these academic writing features. Here is an academic writing style guide to write winning essays.
Student shows how to improve academic writing style
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Academic writing essays are decisive and important in many aspects of life and work. Your efforts to improve academic writing skills and style will result in better opportunities and results. Here’s a short guide with important tips and academic writing features. ~ Ed.

 

Enthusiastic students often go on to be excellent academic writers. Paper writing and essay writing is an art form, and a successful writer is one who relays concepts easily and clearly.

You too can improve your academic writing style by learning a few skills and tips.

Naturally, it is essential to remember the rules for writing English, but it is equally important to write with readers in mind.

Here are nine useful tips to help you improve your basic academic writing style. Embrace these points to help you write essays and papers that will appeal to your target audience.

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9 Ways to Improve Academic Writing Style

Good academic writing skills are only going to help you in your academic journey and later opportunities in life. Here are the tips for good academic writing.

Capture Your Target Audience In The First Paragraph

In general, only well-informed and highly educated people read academic papers and essays. A detailed introduction is unnecessary so just focus on the main points. Avoid boring your readers with a lengthy, tedious introduction.

Remember, publishers, professors, and academics enjoy reading expressive, creative writing. Practice writing papers and essays to develop your academic writing skills.

Do Your Homework Before Putting Pen To Paper

Much research must be done before writing commences. Plan the paper and stick to the salient points.

Great academic papers are unique, fresh and interesting. So, outstanding academics, including tutors and editors, look for well-written informative academic essays.

Firstly, choose the topic and then create a list of issues for discussion. Begin investigating each point at length and do not deviate from the main subject. This will help you to write a stylish, fresh, informative and interesting essay.

Remain On The Topic

Aim to outline the main points of the essay in the first paragraph. Follow this rule, and you will speedily engage the reader. Summarizing the essay also provides a structure for the paper.

Many writers may have covered the same topic, but this is your academic paper. So, embellish it with your points of view and your conclusions in your academic writing style.

Write In A Clear And Concise Manner

One of the important aspects to improve academic writing style is to use formal diction when essay writing. A well-written paper is not filled with fluff, literary clichés or idioms. Use clear, concise language and avoid using lengthy sentences.

A stylish academic paper is uncomplicated to read. A well-written document is formally written but never overly verbose.

Do Not Be Afraid To Expand Your Vocabulary

At this point, you have decided on the topic, created a plan of action and begun to research the main points. Write a short introduction paragraph outlining the main points of discussion.

Now, begin expanding on each point. Choose and use intelligent, descriptive and appealing words. Consider this; the academic paper must magnetize the reader and make him want to read on.

Personalized Writing And The Use Of Contractions

Essays are rarely written about the first person. A creative academic paper makes use of objective language. Moreover, the writer must take time to plan the essay and remain disciplined to keep on track.

To improve academic writing style, rely on prior research and a host of appealing adjectives to draw the reader’s attention. Contractions should be avoided, and writers should refrain from personalizing written work. For example, the common contractions include Can’t: cannot, He’s: He is, Isn’t: Is not

Vary Sentence Structure To Promote Good Flow

Blend short and long sentences to make the paper reads well because a series of short sentences may well make the essay difficult to enjoy reading.

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Remember, the paper is telling a story. Firstly, you discuss the topic, and then move swiftly onto the points of view, and then offer your conclusion.

List All Sources To Support Evidence

Make a list of all research done. There is no doubt; the best academic essays are well-researched. Create a list of all supporting evidence used. Name the title of every book examined and a list of all websites browsed. List these reference points in chronological order.

Ensure the reader understands the conclusion drawn and your opinion, based on the research undertaken.

Edit And Proofread

If you want to improve academic writing style, then your academic paper must be well edited. So, it is vital to consider content, style, and format. A concise essay is a persuasive paper, so refine and clarify where needed.

A paper containing innovative ideas will attract attention, however, check for repetition and amend if needed. Unique viewpoints and cleverly researched opinions aid creative writing.

Read the essay aloud. Focus on the flow; ensure your points of view, and conclusion can be understood. If possible record the essay, play it back and listen for errors. Ask a friend or colleague to critique your work and don’t forget to check for grammatical and spelling errors.

Consider hiring a professional to proofread the paper. Thesis proofreading services, essay proofreaders, professional proofreading services, academic proofreaders and dissertation proofreading services are easily found online.

Wrapping Up

There are more academic writing features that you can learn about to improve academic writing. But this is a good enough short guide to start with.

Good writing skills are beneficial. In everyday life, we chat, but we also communicate in writing. As social animals, we message friends on social media sites like Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook.

We make contact using mobile phones, email, Skype, and WhatsApp. The art of essay writing may not be essential when contacting casual acquaintances.

However, the academic writing style is invaluable when composing college essays, business proposals, scientific papers, conference presentations and research papers.

Those looking to better their academic writing skills must think, plan and research before writing. Excellent grammar is also important when writing in a formal tone. Aim to maintain a strong stylistic approach.

The Chicago Manual of Style is often used in the workplace while colleges, schools or employers might use APA (generally used in science and psychology) or MLA (usually used in an English class).

A well-written assignment conveys your thoughts. The essay is easily readable and understandable. Conversely, a poorly written paper is hard to decipher and almost impossible to understand.

Remember, many drafts make a perfect paper. Re-drafting will help you to improve your academic writing style.

I’ve given you nine basic tips to help you to improve your academic writing style. However, academic Writing, essay writing, and paper writing are challenging, and you must be realistic about your abilities.

Take note of these golden rules to help you hone your writing style to attract reader’s attention. Hope this short academic writing style guide helps you.

Over to you –

What are your tips to develop academic writing skills and style? Share in the comments.

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Disclaimer: Though the views expressed are of the author’s own, this article has been checked for its authenticity of information and resource links provided for a better and deeper understanding of the subject matter. However, you're suggested to make your diligent research and consult subject experts to decide what is best for you. If you spot any factual errors, spelling, or grammatical mistakes in the article, please report at [email protected]. Thanks.

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  1. These tips are perfect, Muhammad. Thank you for the reminders. It’s a little like taking a writing refresher class. Keeping our writing simple and to the point is not as easy as it sounds. That remains my challenge to this day, making my writing sound effortless 🙂

  2. Hi Muhammad, This is such an important topic for everyone. Of all that I learned in college, writing was the most important.

    Through writing we convey our thoughts to others. Without the ability to write well, we are silenced.

    Your point about reading aloud was excellent. If we trip over our words when we read them aloud, more editing needs to be done.

    I also like to use outlines to help me organize my thoughts before I write. That way I know ahead of time which points I want to cover and when I should cover them.

    Then I compare my writing to the outline to be sure that the writing flows and that I haven’t gotten bogged down on one point or drifted off topic.

    I have three daughters in college now and I will be sharing this with them. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with us, Muhammad!

  3. Hi Muhammad,

    Thanks for sharing your writing tips with us. I’m afraid I’m guilty of using those common contractions. 🙂

    I wish I could give writing tips but as you can see, I need to make some improvements myself but if there is anything I can add is to find a place where you can write without distractions.

    Thanks again for the great tips!

    Cori

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