Academic Writing

Writing should be clear and 1concise.

E.g. Emission of Greenhouse-gasses is one of the main causes for
global warming.
In the following example, the main point is not clear. What writer wants
to say is not easy to understand (read the first example).
Bad writing: e.g. Greenhouse-gasses caused a lot of problems. They
are harmful to the environment as greenhouse-gasses contribute to
global warming.

Use appropriate words: e.g. the verb generate is preferred over

produce, the word observe/examine is preferred over look at or see.
e.g. This study examines ..
e.g. Power is generated by using
Not,
e.g. This study looks at .

It is better to use short sentences rather than using long complicated

meaningless sentences.
Avoid using informal everyday language. Spoken language is full of
colloquial expressions and slang borrowed from Western movies. These
expressions are not used in standard academic writing or in formal
socialsettings.
In academic writing, language structure is important. You must have
complete sentences. Ideas should be logically arranged into a
paragraph or into sections.
Grammar and spelling should be perfect or at least near perfect. You
should not be discouraged or obsessed with this because English is not
your first language. However, you need to practice writing.

Do not use;

Contractions: dont, its, itd

Colloquial language: kid, a lots of , cool
Avoid irrelevant details: your opinion, e.g. I think
Avoid using; I trust, I believe
Avoid phrasal words: get off, get away with, put in

1short/to the point

Avoid vague words: thing, nice, this. Write precisely.

Avoid over use of brackets, exclamation marks, dashes, direct
questions, do not use etc.
Always use capital letters appropriately
Do not use text language (SMS)
Do not use personal language (I, we, you)
Use objective, not subjective language (do not write your emotions)
Do not use sweeping generalizations
Do not be too dogmatic

You must qualify statements that you make.

You must use evidence from your back up sources to support your
statements, and must reference them properly.
Avoid sexist language: instead of chairman, it is better to use chair
person
Use nominalization. E.g. use noun based phrases rather than verb
based phrases
e. g. instead of
Crime was increasing rapidly and the police were becoming concerned.
Write;
The rapid increase in crime was causing concern among the
police.
Be impersonal: e.g. it can be argued that .. instead of it is believed
that ..
Use it as a subject with; it is proposed, it is suggested, it is assumed,
it is claimed
Use attitudinal signals; apparently, seemingly, ideally, arguably,
strangely, unexpectedly. These words help you to express your attitude
without using personal language.
Use model verbs; may, might, could, would. These words soften what
you are saying.

1short/to the point