Academic Writing Guide

Academic writing and Scholarly writing share many things. Both are a formal style of writing used in universities and scholarly publications. They require you, as the author, to have:

1. Clarity and Precision: Ensure your writing is clear and precise. Avoid ambiguity and be specific in your arguments and explanations.
2. Objectivity: Maintain an objective tone. Avoid personal bias and base your arguments on evidence and logical reasoning.
3. Formal Tone: Use a formal tone and avoid colloquial language or slang. Academic writing often requires a more sophisticated vocabulary.
4. Evidence-Based: Support your claims with evidence from credible sources. This includes citing research studies, academic papers, and other authoritative sources.
5. Structure and Organization: Organize your writing with a clear structure, including an introduction, body, and conclusion. Use headings and subheadings to guide the reader.
6. Critical Thinking: Engage in critical analysis and evaluation of your topic. Present multiple perspectives and analyze them thoroughly.
7. Proper Citation: Always cite your sources correctly to avoid plagiarism. Use the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) as required by your institution or publication.
8. Conciseness: Be concise and avoid unnecessary words. Every sentence should contribute to your overall argument or purpose.
9. Grammatical Precision: Grammar and spelling rules exist for a reason. What works on social media or in casual writing will not work in other types of writing. Grammar and spelling errors can distract from your content and undermine your credibility. Proofread your work carefully.

Academic and/or Scholarly writing are used in essays, research papers, dissertations, theses, journal articles, and more. It helps communicate complex ideas and research findings in a clear and standardized manner.

(CoPilot, 2024)

Both academic and scholarly writing share a similar structure and format.