29 Academic Writing Tips
Below are some useful tips to improve your style in academic writing.
- Avoid “you.” This word is inappropriate in academic writing. The tone is too personal. The same is usually true of “I” and “we.”
- Avoid gendered pronouns such as “she,” “he,” “hers,” or “his” when referring to a person whose gender is unknown. Use the singular “they” (or “theirs”) in order to be inclusive to all people and avoid making assumptions of gender. For more information, see APA Style: Singular They.
- Avoid “etc.” and “and so on.” These expressions are general and imprecise. You should use “and other ”, filling in the blank with a noun that categorizes what you are listing. (Example: Wars are going on in Iraq, Chechnya, Sri Lanka, etc.—> Wars are going on in Iraq, Chechnya, Sri Lanka, and many other countries around the world.) Also, avoid the use of the ellipsis (…).
- Avoid absolutes, such as “all,” “every,” “none,” “never,” and “always.” These words leave you no “wriggle room”. They commit you to a position or a statement that allows for not even one exception. This includes superlatives (“the most dangerous,” “the biggest topic,” and other such extremes.) In general, don’t exaggerate the importance of an example or argument. This includes “X is becoming more and more Y in recent years,” unless you have evidence that a problem is truly becoming more serious.
- Avoid informal vocabulary, including “a lot of,” “lots of,” “tons of” and “really.” Especially avoid such informal terms and phrases as “gonna” and “wanna.” In addition, “such as” usually works better than “like.” Avoid vague words such as “things” and “stuff.”
- Avoid using idioms and proverbs. They will not make you sound learned and well-read; they will make you sound unoriginal.
- Avoid using phrasal verbs. There is always a verb that has the same meaning, so use it. Example: instead of “look up to,” use “admire.”
- Avoid contractions such as “isn’t,” “aren’t,” “can’t, and “it’s.” Spell all the words. You can use acronyms such as UN and WHO as long as you spell them out in full the first time you use them (United Nations (UN) and World Health Organization (WHO)).
- Avoid questions. Instead of asking and answering, state your point. Example: How do parents influence their children beyond just passing on their genes? They serve as role models for their children” —> In addition to passing on their genes, parents influence their children by being role models.
- Never write a one-sentence paragraph.
- Avoid introductions that resemble magazines. A “hook” is unnecessary
- Avoid unnecessary adverbs of intensity (e.g., really, very, definitely, and absolutely) and such phrases as without a doubt, beyond a doubt, there can be no doubt).
- Be very cautious in your use of the verb “proves.” It is rare that a study that proves something. Studies show correlations, suggest avenues for further research, and add to the general store of knowledge.
- The word “research” is uncountable. Pieces of research are called “studies”, not “researches.”
- Avoid the verb “mention.” Mention is a weak verb. There is almost always a more suitable choice.
- Avoid the word “people.” Instead, use researchers, experts in the field, Russian pole vaulters, or women or men.
- Avoid starting sentences with “And”, “But”, or “So”. Use a more formal alternative instead such as: in addition, however, therefore.
