Academic Writing Essentials – How to Write Formally at University

Academic Writing Essentials – How to Write Formally at University (2025)

Academic writing is a skill you develop over time. At university, you're expected to present your ideas formally, logically, and with evidence-based reasoning. Here's what that means and how to achieve it.

  

 

 1. Write Formally, Not Casually

• Avoid emotional or conversational language.
• Replace vague phrases like:
  ❌ “This assignment will look at…”
  ✅ “This assignment will evaluate…”
• Use academic verbs and avoid slang or idioms.

 2. Structure Your Writing

• Use a clear introduction → body → conclusion format.
• Structure paragraphs around topics, not casual thoughts.
• Stick to the order you introduce in your opening paragraph.

 3. Be Evidence-Based

• Don’t rely on opinion — support your points with facts and sources.
• Use phrases like: “This suggests…”, “The results indicate…”
• Experts write confidently: “The data shows…”, “The study demonstrates…”

 4. Master Referencing

• Use your institution's required style (Harvard, APA, OSCOLA...)
• Every in-text citation must appear in your reference list.
• Use tools like Cite Them Right or Zotero.

 5. Be Precise – Avoid Woolly Language

• Avoid generic words like very, key, main, important.
• Instead of: ❌ “This is a key issue...”
  Use: ✅ “This is a central issue in educational policy…”
• Use exact and measurable language where possible.

 6. Balance Your Argument

• Remain unbiased. Present all sides of the debate.
• Base your conclusion on the strength of evidence — not opinion.

 7. Stay Relevant

• Always write to the assignment brief.
• Prioritise research over word count padding.

 8. Practice = Progress

• Proofread, redraft, and self-assess often.
• Writing well is a process — and it’s one employers respect.

 Academic vs. Personal Writing

Academic Writing	Personal Writing
Objective, impersonal, passive voice	Subjective, emotional, active voice
Formal grammar and structure	Informal, uses contractions/slang
Evidence-based, referenced	Opinion-based, not referenced
Balanced and relevant	May be biased or off-topic