What is Academic Writing and How to Improve Academic Writing Skills?

Academic writing, also known as scholarly writing, is a way to help students present their ideas, analyze previously done research, and give them the space to construct an effective argument that is capable of delivering information cohesively. 
Writing is the preferred method of academic communication. Academic writing is certainly the most significant skill in this context. Some students find it interesting. However, most students find academic writing a tedious job requiring herculean effort. Some students revert to digital assistance through queries like ‘Can someone write my paper for me?’. Nevertheless, no matter how many choices may be at hand, the best choice for students here is to work on improving their writing skills.
Whether you are an undergrad or postgrad student, this is one skill you definitely need to master in order to fully demonstrate your understanding of the material covered in the course. 
This particular blog is tailored to address your queries regarding the pursuit of academic writing. A few common questions that students have in this include and are not limited to the following.

• What is academic writing?
• What are the characteristics of academic writing?
• How can I improve my academic writing skills?
• What are some tips and tricks to make my academic writing skills flawless?
• What kind of research helps with academic writing?

Let’s delve into all of those queries and move forward.

What is Academic Writing?

As an essential component of higher education, academic writing is frequently employed to gauge a student's comprehension of a particular subject. It is different from other types of writing as it has its own rules and regulations. It is a type of writing that is used often used in the pursuit of higher education. Students use this type of writing to convey complex ideas and thoughts in a digestible manner, one that is easy to comprehend and capable of delivering the right information in the best way possible. Academic writing is typically written in the third person perspective and is very formal in nature.

Characteristics of Academic Writing

Academic writing has specific characteristics and it does not deviate from its basic characteristics. It provides information to the readers about a specific topic. These characteristics are better described as academic writing conventions. These conventions are the acknowledged rules for producing academic research papers and other written academic work. These guidelines ensure that information contained in every academic work is conveyed consistently and expertly. Depending on the discipline, standards differ, but some universal standards include using proper grammar, refraining from plagiarism, using proper syntax and punctuation, and including citations where necessary. Moreover, specific referencing standards, like APA or MLA, as required by the instructions included with the piece of writing, is accompanied with a mandated set of academic writing conventions.

The primary purpose of academic writing conventions is to inform the readers rather than entertain them. Some of the characteristics of academic writing are:

1. Simple and Straightforward: Academic writing should be simple and plain, expressing ideas and arguments logically and directly. It builds on an argument by incorporating theories and occurrences relevant to the subject.
2. Formal Tone: Academic writing needs to have a formal tone; slang and informal language is to be avoided at all costs. It sticks to accepted spelling, grammatical, and punctuation standards.
3. Unbiased: Academic writing should be neutral, offering facts and evidence to back up claims. It justifies the concept through the inclusion of previous research, along with their citations.
4. Organized and Structured: Academic writing should adhere to a format that is organized and structured. It should comprise of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
5. References: In-text citations and bibliography should be used appropriately in academic writing to support arguments.

Categories of Academic Writing

There are four basic categories of academic writing. These basic categories are then further divided into types.

Each of these types has specific features and writing styles.

Analytical Writing:

Analytical writing is a form of writing that seeks to analyze, interpret, and examine a topic in depth. It requires close reading, research, and critical thinking. Examples of analytical writing include essays, research papers, book reports, and critiques. Analytical writing relies on the writer's ability to break down and evaluate the parts of a topic, such as the author's motivations, methods, and effects.

Critical Writing:

Critical writing is a form of writing that evaluates, analyzes, and interprets a text or other form of media. It involves analyzing the various aspects of the text, such as structure, theme, and interpretation, and then forming an opinion of the text or media. Examples of critical writing include book and movie reviews, opinion pieces, and critiques of music, art, or literature.

Descriptive Writing:

Descriptive writing is a style of writing that uses vivid language to create a detailed picture of an object, person, place, or event. It often involves the use of sensory details to create a sensory experience that allows the reader to feel as if they are in the scene. Examples of descriptive writing include: 

1. The sunset over the rolling hills, painting the sky in a brilliant orange and pink hue.
2. The old man shuffled slowly down the street, his worn coat flapping in the breeze.
3. The sky was a clear blue so deep, it was almost navy.

Persuasive Writing:

Academic writing that attempts to persuade the reader of a certain argument or point of view is known as persuasive writing. It is usually written in an academic atmosphere and supports the argument with facts, evidence, and reasoning. Making a compelling case to the reader is the aim of persuasive academic writing. As an example: "We should all be wearing masks in public to protect ourselves and others from the spread of the virus. Wearing a mask is an easy way to do our part and help keep our communities safe."

How to Improve Your Academic Writing Skills?

It can be difficult to write college essays that follow proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling rules. To ease you into academic writing, we've included some fundamental advice that can make the entire process seem effortless. Therefore, the next step is how can you improve your academic writing skills and become a professional writer. In terms of improving your expertise and skills, you need to focus on the essential features that serve the basics of writing.

Read on to write flawless college essays:

1. Read broadly and in-depth. To improve your academic writing, you must know about the topic you are writing about. This will allow you to learn more about the rules of academic writing and the many writing styles being followed if you read widely.
2. Create a writing plan and framework. Planning and structuring your writing is crucial when producing academic writing. Consider your primary arguments and the data you have to support them. Create a rough structure and a plan for how you will arrange your ideas in the essay.
3. Employ language that is straightforward and concise. Clear and succinct writing is required for academic work. Avoid utilising jargon and excessively complex language. Make sure your writing is clear and concise. Use the suitable verb tense, write complete sentences and avoid using acronyms in your sentences.
4. Support your arguments with facts. Evidence should be the foundation of academic writing. Make sure you support your views with credible sources and proof to back up your claims. Place citations properly.
5. Edit and double-check. For your academic writing to be better, editing and proofreading are crucial. Check for grammatical, spelling, and punctuation mistakes as you read your essay. Employ transitions where necessary and avoid using long sentences. A logical organization of your ideas and clear, concise writing are both important. 

Tips for Writing a Good Academic Research Article

Throughout many areas, academic writing is often used to express challenging concepts, sophisticated ideas, and extensive thoughts. It adheres to a specific set of conventions, standards, as well as regulations that you ought to follow to engage your audience and capture their attention.
If you are writing an essay for college here are some tips for writing your essay in a more precise manner. These academic writing tactics and tips will help you improve your writing abilities regardless of whether you are writing a research project, a report, or an academic paper.

• Use active voice first
• Change up the punctuation.
• Change up the way you say things to avoid choppiness
• Avoid repeating
• Be concise
• Use the vocabulary you are familiar with.
• But you should also focus on growing your vocabulary.
• Avoid using informal words and keep them formal.

In the end…

Academic writing is a very useful skill for students to master. It helps students to present their ideas and arguments more concisely. By knowing the framework of scholarly writing, and having an understanding of the conventions of academic writing and mechanism behind it one can easily master the skills of a good scholarly writer. While this will make your quite proficient at academic writing, when in a crunch, you can always fall back on us to help you with your academic writing needs. We, at Nerdpapers, are dedicated to make sure that you ace your exams.