Academic writing at university level follows a distinct style and structure. It requires clarity, a critical approach to demonstrate understanding, and proper referencing of sources. The three aspects of academic writing:
Academic writing is formal and objective. It avoids informal language, personal opinions, and unsupported claims.
Below are common issues and how to improve them:
|
What to avoid |
Examples |
Suggested alternative |
| Slang or causal expressions | It was a dead loss | It failed |
| Contractions | It'll, didn't, weren't | It will, did not, were not |
| First person (unless reflective) | I carried out a survey | A survey was carried out |
| Exclamation marks | ! | Avoid using them |
| Basic or vague language | like, big, stuff | Be specific, for example, large |
| Subjective statements | The results were brilliant | The results were interesting because... |
| Unsupported claims | 20% of wildlife is in danger | Add a reference to where you got this information |
Effective academic writing should be:
Academic writing has a recognisable style and structure. There are several models for structuring academic writing. Choosing the right one depends on your subject, assessment type, and the complexity of your argument.
|
Model |
Structure |
Best for |
| Sandwich Model | Introduction → Main Body → Conclusion | Short essays, beginners, general academic writing |
| Hourglass Model | Broad Introduction → Focused Analysis → Broad Conclusion | Analytical essays, critical thinking, exploring wider implications |
| Diamond Model | Simple Introduction → Increasing Complexity → Clear Summary | Essays with layered arguments, multiple perspectives, or nuanced analysis |
The sandwich model is a useful starting point:
Understanding this structure also improves reading. Most academic texts follow a familiar pattern, introduction, main body, and conclusion. Recognising this helps you identify key points and follow the author’s argument, even in complex writing.
University-level writing requires more than description, it demands analysis. Ask questions such as:
Critical thinking involves examining evidence, interpreting its significance, and considering implications. When using an author’s ideas, describe their point, interpret it, and, where appropriate, suggest future directions. This shows deeper engagement with the material.
Referencing is essential in academic writing. It acknowledges the work of others, supports your argument, and helps avoid plagiarism. It also allows readers to locate the original sources. There are different referencing styles (e.g. Harvard, OSCOLA) so you will need to find out which style your School uses.
Referencing handbooks can be downloaded from the Library’s Referencing and Plagiarism pages.
