Academic writing
Academic writing is a formal style of writing used at university to clearly communicate ideas, research, analysis and more. You might bear it being called “academic tone” or “academic voice”. Features of academic writing can include being clear, objective and professional.
Academic writing helps you to express ideas clearly, show your understanding, present evidence, and think critically. It takes time to master academic writing, but with practice you will be able to write successfully in an academic style.
Key features of academic writing
Academic writing:
- is clear and to the point
- uses formal, subject-specific language
- avoids slang, abbreviations, and casual phrases
- is based on evidence, not opinion
- uses correct grammar and punctuation
- avoids emotional or biased language
- is usually written in third person (e.g. they, students, researchers)
- may use first person in reflective tasks—check your assignment instructions.
Academic writing resources
The following resources will help you to understand what should and should not be included in your writing to ensure you have demonstrated an appropriate academic style.
You might also like to look at the Successful Foundations chapter in the Academic Success eBook to help you develop your academic writing further.
Effective, well-structured paragraphs are the basic building blocks of academic writing and provide the organisation or framework for your ideas. Most written assessments will require an introductory paragraph, a series of body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph. These paragraph types each have a specific function and structure and should help to move the reader logically through your writing and clearly convey your ideas.
Introductions
Your introduction sets the scene. Let your reader know what you’ll cover and how you’ll approach it. It should outline the topic, context, and structure of your response. Use your task and criteria sheets to guide what needs to be included. Many students find it easier to write the body first, then come back to the introduction. Aim for around 10% of your word count unless your task says otherwise.
Find out more in our Writing effective introductions PDF.
Conclusions
Your conclusion should do more than repeat your main points. It needs to wrap up your discussion with a clear final statement that shows you've reached a thoughtful end. Make sure you leave enough words to do this well.
Find out more in our Writing effective conclusions PDF.
Body paragraphs
A good paragraph:
- starts with a clear topic sentence
- explains and supports the idea with evidence
- uses examples where helpful
- flows smoothly with linking words
- moves from general ideas to specific details.
Tip: Your body paragraphs will take up most of your word count, so make sure each one is focused, logical, and easy to follow.
Find out more in our Writing effective body paragraphs PDF.
Why structure matters
Most university assignments require clear, well-structured paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on one main idea that supports your overall argument. This idea is explained, backed up with evidence from scholarly sources, and sometimes illustrated with examples.
What makes a strong paragraph?
Body paragraphs carry the bulk of your word count and argument, so clear structure is essential. A well-structured paragraph helps your reader follow your thinking and strengthens your response.
Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea that supports your overall argument. This idea should be explained and backed up with evidence and examples. Use transition words to link sentences smoothly and guide your reader through your reasoning.
Explore the Writing effective body paragraphs (PDF) for tips and examples to help you build strong, effective paragraphs.
Paraphrasing means rewriting someone else’s ideas in your own words while keeping the original meaning. You must also cite the source to acknowledge where the idea came from.
Why is it important?
Strong paraphrasing shows you understand the material and can use it to support your own arguments. It also helps you write in your own voice and avoid plagiarism. This section offers practical strategies to help you build confidence in paraphrasing.
Tips for effective paraphrasing
- Go beyond swapping words for synonyms - rephrase the whole idea in your own way.
- Always cite the original source.
- Avoid copying the structure or phrasing too closely, as this can still count as plagiarism.
Key takeaways
Paraphrasing:
- demonstrates your understanding of the source and its relevance to your topic.
- helps your writing flow more naturally in your own style.
- reduces the risk of plagiarism by avoiding direct copying.
You can find out more about paraphrasing by reading our Developing paraphrasing PDF or accessing the Developing paraphrasing skills course.
Developing strong proofreading and editing skills is key to producing polished, professional writing. Without them, your work may appear clumsy or unclear — and your intended meaning could be lost.
Although often used interchangeably, editing and proofreading are distinct stages of the revision process:
Editing vs Proofreading
Once your draft is complete, review it to ensure it’s clear, well-organised, and meets the task requirements.
- Editing focuses on structure, clarity, content, and citation accuracy.
- Proofreading targets surface-level issues like spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting.
Editing Strategies
Use your task sheet and rubric to guide your editing. Ask yourself:
- Have I used the correct structure (e.g. essay, report, reflection)?
- Are all required sections included (e.g. Executive Summary, Introduction, Body, Recommendations)?
- Have I addressed all task questions and requirements?
- Is all evidence cited correctly and consistently?
- Are paragraphs clearly structured and logically connected?
- Are sentences concise and easy to follow?
- Is the tone academic and written in active voice?
- Have I removed any unnecessary or off-topic content?
- Is my word choice appropriate for the task type?
Explore the Editing and proofreading PDF for practical tips and examples to help you strengthen your editing and proofreading skills.
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