Academic Writing

• Academic writing

  • Evidence-based claims
  • Precise word use
  • Consistent logical organization
  • Formal tone and style
• Academic writing is not difficult and does not require the use of long sentences on a large vocabulary
• Academic writing

  A formal, made of writing that is intended for an educated audience
• Academic writing

  • Written in the third person objective point of view
  • Makes use of details supported by factual experimentation, research, and strong evidence
  • Not based on the writer's own opinions
• Academic writing

  • Clear, concise, focused and structured
  • Backed up by evidence
• Academic writing

  Follows the same writing process as other types of texts, but has specific conventions in terms of content, structure and style
• Academic writing is…..

  • Formal and unbiased
  • Clear and precise
  • Focused and well-structured
  • Well-sourced
  • Correct and consistent
• Academic writing is not personal, long-winded, emotive and impressive
• Complexity in academic writing


  • More complicated with longer words
  • Difficult to comprehend in terms of subject matters, language, arrangement of words and grammar
  • More advanced vocabulary and noun-based phrasing
  • Longer sentences containing clauses
  • Passive voice used to establish objective style
• Formality in academic writing


  • More formal vocabulary and phrases
  • Correct use of grammar
  • More objective style
• Avoid colloquial words, expressions, abbreviated forms, and two-word verbs in academic writing
• Accuracy in academic writing


  • Use accurate terminologies
  • Carefully select the correct words and phrases
• Examples of accurate terminology in academic writing


  • assembly vs gathering
  • conference vs meeting
• Objectivity in academic writing


  • Concerned with facts rather than personal feelings or biases
  • Avoids making value judgements
• Objectivity improves the professionalism and credibility of academic work
• Avoid using "I", "me", "myself" in academic writing
• Concepts not cited would be assumed to be the writer's own
• Avoid using "you" when addressing the reader or in general
• Precision in academic writing


  • Specific in dealing with facts, figures, and dates
  • Avoid inappropriate word combinations
• Types of academic writing

  • Abstract
  • Academic journal article
  • Book report
  • Dissertation
  • Essay
  • Research paper
  • Summaries
  • Textbook
  • Thesis