During high school, students do not struggle to write class-related papers since they are straight to the point. However, things change upon joining college or university. Many papers such as argumentative essays, term papers, research proposals, and dissertations pose a challenge to students. While it may seem complicated to write successfully, do you know you can improve your academic skills by following the easiest tips discussed in this article?

First Things First: What Is Academic Writing?

Academic writing can be defined as the formal and non-fictional writing style that involves writing papers used in universities or colleges. In every institution, academic writing conforms to a particular set of styles. For example, many college papers do not accommodate the usage of the first person unless when writing narrative essays. Additionally, academic writing requires the use of scholarly materials, such as journals, books, and government websites.

Let’s delve into it, shall we?

Tips to improve your academic writing skills and styles

1. Know that all academic papers are logical– An academic paper must flow. It must synthetically present ideas. Moreover, logic means that the ideas discussed are acceptable and real. Unless otherwise asked, do not introduce fiction in your academic assignment.
2. Plan in advance– Thorough planning always sets excellent students apart from others. Do not wait until the last minute to start writing your task. Go through the instructions as soon as the instructor issues them. Then, get to know the deadline so you can plan work effectively.
3. Avoid plagiarism- originality is critical in academic writing. If your professor has not told you already, know that plagiarism is considered a severe offense. Some universities deduct points from your work, while others impose more punitive measures, including suspension or expulsion from the university. The best way to avoid plagiarism is to read a text, interpret it, rewrite it in your words, and do not forget to cite the source.
4. Use formal language- academic papers prove difficult to new learners because informal language is now allowed. The use of slang words or other urban languages is not accepted in academic writing. You must be specific when describing words. Phrasal verbs, idioms, or riddles are also unacceptable. Many schools prohibit using the mentioned classes of words because some readers might be unfamiliar with their meaning. Therefore, do not assume that the person reading your work understands everything about your proverbs.
5. Steer clear of wordy and redundant statements- Young students experience challenges after joining college because of the strict requirements of writing an academic paper. Academic writing does not accept redundancy or wordiness. For example, there is no point in writing the following statement: John can be able to play in the men’s soccer team. In this sentence, “be able to” is unnecessary because the word “can” suffices. Also, do not say, “Can you tell me what makes a person a patriot.” In this instance, “a person” is not needed.
6. Stick to format guides- All academic writing tasks will involve following a specific format. Currently, we have several writing formats, but the most common are MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychology Association), AMA (American Medical Association, Harvard, Chicago, and Oxford. Others that might come up include Strayer, Bluebook, Turabian, Oscola, and Vancouver. If you are asked to write in any other style not listed above, go to Google, and you will find all the content you need. Such useful sites include Purdue OWL

1. Do not change the topic– Many times, some students change a few words of their instructions and end up submitting content that gets rejected. Some of the issues that lead to a change in the topic include the presence of many abbreviations. If you are not sure of an abbreviation, consult your teacher.
2. Remain on topic– Some students do not change the topic, but they stray. In essence, they answer the question that no one asked them. For example, many learners do not differentiate an argumentative essay from a persuasive one. You will find a pupil arguing where an instructor wants analytical work done. Some professors are not lenient enough to award marks where a student deviates from the provided instructions.
3. Use analytical and critical skills– as a student, your academic writing skills improve when you learn to write critically and analytically. Achieving this level is not meant for a few individuals; you, too, could write well. Critical writing involves checking both sides of an argument, while analytical work emphasizes trying to understanding an author’s argument.
4. Revise your work before sending– Typing using a keyboard is always going to have some mistakes. Students complete writing their academic assignments and send them before checking. Some instructors deduct marks for such submissions. Thus, you do not have to lose marks. Instead of uploading assignments full of mistakes, save your work and rest for a few minutes or even hours as long as you are within the deadline. Once you are fresh, go through your work or use online tools to check your grammar.
5. Consult your instructor– In the event that some instructions are unclear, there is nothing wrong with your speaking with your tutor. You should seek clarifications early enough to avoid last-minute mistakes. Good professors are eager to clarify instructions. So do not fear sending an email or calling your instructor asking to be assisted.