What is Academic Writing?
Academic writing communicates ideas, information and research to the wider academic community. It comes in two kinds: student academic writing (used for assessment at school and university) and expert academic writing (intended for publication in a journal or book). Both are held to the same standards.
Seven features distinguish academic writing from other writing:
| Feature | What it means |
|---|---|
| Structured | a clear, planned shape (e.g. essay = introduction, body, conclusion); coherent and cohesive |
| Evidenced | opinions are supported by evidence, with citations and a reference list |
| Critical | it analyses and evaluates, not just describes |
| Balanced | it considers all sides and avoids bias, using hedges and boosters to show stance |
| Precise | it uses clear, exact language and technical vocabulary where helpful |
| Objective | the focus is on the arguments, not the writer — more nouns, more passive structures |
| Formal | longer words, complex sentences, no contractions or slang |
Example (objective style): The water was heated (academic) rather than I heated the water (personal).
Tip: Develop academic writing by acting on feedback and by reading academic texts — reading shows you the features that set academic writing apart.
Common mistake: Only describing your sources. Academic writing must be critical — analyse and evaluate before you accept and use information.
✏️ Test Yourself
1. Writing that analyses and evaluates rather than just describing is ___ .
2. Focusing on arguments, not the writer, makes writing ___ .
3. Supporting claims with citations makes writing ___ .
4. Giving all sides and avoiding bias makes writing ___ .
📒 Words to learn
Meaning — Perform without preparation.
“He improvised a speech at the wedding.”
Meaning — Have the idea for.
“This library was well conceptualized.”
Meaning — Close in time; about to occur.
“Some people believe the day of judgment is imminent.”
Meaning — A person who inhabits a particular place.
“We are the inhabitants of Kohi Goth.”
Meaning — A proposal offered for acceptance or rejection.
“It was a proposition, we couldn't refuse.”