Academic Writing – It is a very important skill that students must learn in their graduation studies. This is the skill that a student needs for writing:
- Essays
- Research papers
- Dissertation
We know that writing, especially an academic one, is quite a tough job to do. That is why we are writing this post for you. Inside it, we will be sharing six (06) of the tested writing tips that, as a student, will help you make your writing stand out.
Tips for Students on Academic Writing
The following are the six tips that we are talking about. Read them carefully and try to implement as suggested. We are quite confident they will help you write academic content better than that are in your competition.
1. Structure Your Outline
Many of the students start writing things straightaway without making a structure for it. Don’t be among them. Before you start writing things, spend time developing a clear outline. Doing this will give you a roadmap to write the rest of the content fast and better. An outline will help you in making sure that your ideas are logically linked to one another, which is a necessary element of academic writing. Without an outline, you might get lost on the way and begin to ramble.
Regarding how to make a good outline, here’s what we suggest:
- Begin with your major statement at the very top.
- Divide the main body of your papers into small sections.
- Dedicate each section to a specific point.
- List the key points for better understanding and readability.
- Include evidence and examples to make your arguments stronger.
Regarding dividing the content into smaller sections, here’s what you should do.
- Start with the introduction. Add a short description of the subject.
- Then add body paragraphs. Each paragraph should explain the content along with the supporting evidence.
- Write a conclusion. Repeat the context of the discussion you made while writing.
2. Use Simple and Readable Tone
Clarity is one of the most important characteristics of academic writing. Many of the students are tempted to use advanced vocabulary and complex jargon. But using them ends up making their writing difficult to read and understand.
Successful academic writing is one written using simple words and is meant to provide a better tone and flow to the reader. So when writing academic content, try:
- Keeping the sentences short.
- Convey your message without embellishment.
- Avoid complex sentence structures.
- Choose simple vocabulary.
- Avoid technical jargon that is not essential to the subject.
- Make use of examples to simplify complex concepts.
3. Avoid Using Contractions
Many of the people/students make use of contractions (e.g., can’t, don’t, etc) while writing academic content. This is a mistake, in fact, a blunder they make. Contractions are part of informal writing and speech. Using them in formal or academic writing can make the text sound too casual.
So, when writing academic content, avoid using contractions. Instead, use the full form of words such as cannot instead of can’t, do not instead of don’t, etc. Doing this will help you enhance the overall clarity in your writing pieces. Plus, it will also help you in avoiding ambiguity.
4. Always Check for Duplication
Duplication of content, or you can say, unintentional repetition of thoughts or expressions. It is a common issue that many people face while writing academic content. And as you know, in academic writing, there is no room for duplication (whether intentional or unintentional).
You might have wondered, Why?
Because repetition makes a piece of writing sound redundant. It weakened the argument that you are making in your writing. That is why it is always suggested by tutors and trainers to proofread the work once completed. It helps in detecting any case of plagiarism and helps you eliminate and rectify the mistake causing the trouble.
Also, avoid using the same words too much. Although in academic writing we have to use some necessary terms, it should always be your priority to avoid excessive use of them. Regarding the non-technical terms, a good writing practice is to make use of synonyms.
5. Humanize AI-Generated Content
The growing popularity of AI tools in content creation, more students resort to using them to assist them in writing their papers. It is important to note, though, that the AI-generated content may sound awkward or artificial at times. To make your work sound human and interesting, you should consider the use of AI humanization tools.
One such tool is the Humanize AI tool that can convert AI-generated text into natural, original, and human-like content that bypasses leading AI detectors. The tool applies advanced algorithms to rearrange the material without altering the original meaning. Students can use this tool to make their AI-assisted drafts more polished and natural, which increases their chances of academic success.
6. Proofread and Check Grammar
Regardless of how effectively you have organized your paper or how clearly you have presented your ideas, grammatical errors can detract from the quality of your writing. Proofreading is a critical part of the academic writing process because it will help you to identify any spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors.
Once you are done with your draft, make sure you proofread your work. Pay attention to the general problems like subject-verb agreement, sentence structure, and punctuation. Together with grammar, make sure that your writing is performed in accordance with the proper academic standards, such as citation styles and formatting.
It can be beneficial to use grammar-checking software such as Grammarly or the in-built spell check in Microsoft Word, although this is not foolproof. You need to read your paper several times because some errors might not be detected by automated tools. It is also advisable to get a fresh opinion by asking a peer or an instructor to go through your work.
Conclusion
The six tips shared above are what students should follow while writing academic content. Following them will help you write better and make your content shine in the eyes of tutors. For your convenience, here’s a quick recap:
- Structure outline first
- Use a simple and readable tone
- Avoid contractions
- Check for duplication
- Make your writing sound human
- Proofread before submitting
