The Features of Academic Writing

The beginning stages of our life is primarily informal speech. We learn by listening to our family and friends speak to us. And most of the time, native speakers don't exactly talk correctly. That is fine because languages have two distinct forms; formal and informal. The informal is what you will often hear spoken in the streets or around the house because the grammar police aren't running after you. If you're learning a language for fun or travel, the informal is likely your best route. Although, you should be wary of using the informal language in countries that have a hierarchal culture.

On the flip side, we have the formal language, which is what you're exposed to in school. One thing taught in school is formal writing. Many people who made it through high school and college have had to write their fair share of research papers, essays, and dissertations in their academic lifetime. What are the features of academic writing, and how can you distinguish them from other types of writing? Keep reading to learn more.

Clear and Concise

One of the features of academic writing is that it is clear and concise. Unlike journal writing or poetry, you can't be flowery or draft up a puzzle using words. The purpose of academic writing is to be clear, direct, and answer the question. When you are writing a school paper, it should demonstrate that you have a clear understanding of the topic. If your writing lacks that tone, then you can lose your credibility. in their academic lifetime. What are the features of academic writing, and how can you distinguish them from other types of writing? Keep reading to learn more.

Structured

You can't build a house without the right tools and a solid foundation. Think of academic writing in the same way. Nobody reads an academic paper for fun. They read it because it adds value to their lives in some way. That's why it needs to be structure correctly. The best way to structure an academic paper is by following this formula:

* Introduction

* Thesis (Most of the time this is in your introduction)

* Body

* Conclusion

This is a great way to craft a paper that isn't messy and all over the place. Readability is key in academia and that's what builds your credibility as a student.

Well Sourced

The internet is available almost everywhere in the world. It's fantastic to have this much access to information because knowledge is power. It creates a dark side where anyone can put anything out there. In the times of misinformation circulating the world, seriously consider the resources. Avoid sites that allow visitors to edit the information. Stick to academic databases or the school library to find reliable information.

Take the Emotion Out of It

We've already talked about the structure and authoritativeness that academic writing has. Let's move onto the tone that your academic writing should have. There are two tones that it can have; objective and subjective. In the world of academia, we are shooting for objective and steering away from subjective. For example, when you are writing a research paper, you can't put your opinions in it. Yes, you are still aiming to be persuasive, but you are not writing a novel. Typically, readers are not concerned with what you think about the subject. What they want is accuracy, clear examples, and data-driven.

I know that writing might seem like a drag or a chore to some, but fine-tuning your writing skills is important. You will be writing a lot throughout your life. Especially if you plan to spend time in university or the education sector. Having these skills will make your job a lot easier.