Academic vs. Professional Writing

• Academic writing

  A type of writing produced by a student in an academic setting
• Professional writing

  Writing produced in a professional context
• Academic and professional writing have different styles but are the same in some aspects
• Components of academic and professional writing

  • Context
  • Message
  • Language
  • Purpose
  • Audience
  • Product
• Context

  The situation where professional writing is performed, including people involved, their relationship, time, place and possible interferences
• Message

  The content of the document, including the main topic and supporting details
• Language

  The channel used to convey the message, which can be visual, textual, formal, informal, verbal or non-verbal
• Purpose

  The reason or motive for communicating, which can be to inform or persuade
• Audience

  The receiver of the message, who can be primary (direct) or secondary (indirect)
• Product

  The output that is intended to be produced
• Examples of academic writing

  • Academic essays
  • Thesis
  • Dissertation
  • Library research
  • Coursework
  • Reaction paper
  • Book review
  • Literature review
  • Project proposal
  • Position Paper
• Examples of professional writing

  • Instructional manuals
  • Specification
  • Brochure
  • Business correspondence (Letter and Memo)
  • Business and technical report
• Academic writing


  • Impersonal and formal
  • Uses third person perspective
  • Avoids word contractions
  • Builds field-specific vocabulary
  • Structured with clear topic sentences and thesis statements
• Citation and referencing are essential elements of academic writing
• General tips for writing academic texts

  • Follow the basics of the writing process
  • Use quotations sparingly and paraphrase information
  • Avoid imperative tone
  • Avoid excessive font styles
  • Be consistent with the type of English used