What distinguishes informal writing from academic writing?

Several factors differentiate academic writing from informal writing. However, it is important to note that it is not just about the context in which the writing occurs! In a nutshell, not all writing done in an academic environment needs to adhere to the academic style outlined below—nor should it.

For example, even though there are more effective note-taking styles in the classroom (like shorthand), not all academic notes need to follow this style. The main goal when taking notes should be to select the method that best helps the student organize and retain the information. After all, these notes are almost exclusively for the student's personal use. Each person's brain processes information uniquely, so tools like cue cards, symbols, or sketches can all help in retaining learned material. However, research papers and argumentative essays usually aim for an audience beyond just the writer. This distinction highlights the necessity of an academic style.

In simple words, the academic style ensures that the writer's message and arguments are conveyed most effectively and comprehensibly to the reader other than the author. It is not merely a unique writing style used in academic settings but also a valuable approach to showcasing an argument in the most transparent way possible. Consider it the refined' way to argue, focusing on factual evidence rather than personal opinions.

Creative writing is different from academic writing, which is mostly used by students. Creative writing may not always prioritise clarity and lack of personal bias and is often deliberately subverted. However, the academic writing style is more beneficial for argumentative essays, research papers, and other similar assignments due to its focus on impersonal and clear communication.

This brings us to the next point...

Academic writing: Practice to Eschew

Writers with informal or creative flair often naturally use unique 'voices' in their prose, which gives a special tone that mirrors their personal styles. For instance, using vivid adjectives and hyperbole like 'distraught,' 'enraged,' or 'flabbergasted'—can infuse an emotional touch to work. Some authors like incorporating their own speech patterns into their text, using contractions like 'isn't' instead of ain't' or capitalising whole sentences to indicate shouting. These quirks often show the author's personality and can shift the reader's attention more towards the writer than the topic. While this approach might be endearing to a certain audience, it could also detract from the points being made.

Typically, academic writing styles discourage incorporating too many personal elements in one's work. This has two benefits: first, it keeps the reader focused on the actual arguments, and second, it boosts the ability of the audience from various backgrounds to grasp the writing fully. They can understand what is presented, whether they speak the same language as the author or come from different cultures.

Here’s a quick summary of what to avoid or steer clear of in your academic writing:

 Reduce the use of colloquial language.

In daily life, you may use words like 'okay,' 'awesome,' or 'excited' to express yourself. You could also use phrases like 'that ain't hay' or begin sentences with 'Anyhow. Typically, these instances of informal language wouldn't appear when writing academic work. Distinguishing between colloquial and formal can be tricky, as colloquialisms are often phrases or words used in our daily speech. Certain idioms, like 'nipped in the bud' or 'hit below the belt,' are so common that they are not even recognised as colloquial.

Keep in mind that the main focus of academic writing is to cater to a wide readership and ensure that the reader's attention is solely on the argument's content. As noted, using conversational phrases may unnecessarily narrow the audience and detract from the central argument.

 Avoid vulgar language.

Offensive expressions like blasphemous language or swearing should be avoided. While profanities might sometimes strengthen a point in informal conversation, they tend to undermine an academic argument, making it seem illogical and poorly reasoned. Maintaining professionalism is the key to upholding one's credibility in an academic setting.

 Sidestep uses exaggeration or hyperbole.

In creative writing, expressions like "the most critical problem confronting our community" can add emphasis. But in academic writing, they can be misleading and, at worst, obscure the writer's points for the reader. For example, describing a political figure as "the greatest deceiver of his era" might suggest that they have a notorious reputation. But this could also reflect the writer's personal bias, suggesting aggression where there might have been none, which can be factually incorrect and could mislead the readers. Academic discourse should be based on provable facts and data. It allows the research to stand on its own merit.

 Refrain from using unique personal idiosyncrasies, like 'innovative' punctuation marks!!!!!!

Adopting a standardised style for structuring arguments greatly bolsters the effectiveness of academic writing. Yet, this advantage is mostly diminished by the 'personal quirks' an author might use in creative and informal writing.

It is obvious that a few guidelines are straightforward: For example, exclamation marks should be used sparingly and using caps to highlight a point should be minimal. Likewise, certain stylistic elements, like rhetorical questions, should be used cautiously. When someone poses a question without expecting an answer, was the focus group's judgement valid? While these questions work well in spoken communication to lead listeners towards a specific conclusion or opinion, they may not be effective in academic writing. Using them might give the impression that the author is unsure about convincingly addressing the question. The focus of academic writing should be on the topic at hand, substantiated by data and sources, instead of hollow attempts to craft persuasive-sounding language that lacks substance.

Avoid using personal pronouns like me, I, mine, and my.

In academic writing, upholding a clear divide between facts and personal opinion is important. This demand ensures that the information presented is factual and isn't conflated with the author's personal views. Suppose too much academic work is clouded by opinions and bias. In that case, it becomes difficult for the readers to differentiate between fact and the writer's stance. In severe instances, this might even cause the audience to question the credibility of an essay. Thus, shifting the focus away from personal anecdotes is important, beginning with dodging personal pronouns.

Phrases like "I think that," "In my opinion," and "My belief is" can remove the authoritativeness of arguments in a paper. Where such statements might otherwise be a sincere acknowledgement of the writer's potential errors in academic writing, that fallibility is inherently implied. The argument made should be firmly rooted in the evidence provided, not on personal opinions or beliefs.

Now that we've dug up what to avoid in academic writing, let’s explore what should be done instead.

Academic writing: Essentials and How to Master Them.

The takeaways from the above discussion on avoiding certain elements in academic writing style revolve around one central concern: ensuring the robustness of the argument. So, what should you do as an arcade mic to achieve this aim in your writing?

 Keep it clear

Beginners in academic writing might feel the need to mask their inexperience by adding unnecessary verbiage to their papers. "The director frequently used blue imagery" might become "The avant-garde filmmaker planned, concerning the symbolic meanings of the colour therein, to rely heavily on various hues of blue found in the visual composition of their grand work." This is an overblown example to illustrate the point, but the principle remains consistent. The purpose of academic writing is to convey a clear and well-structured argument, not showcase an extensive vocabulary. The aim is to keep points straightforward. This means balancing informality with a lack of overly tedious.

 Use of jargons

As a slight addition to the preceding advice, authors should be mindful of the area they cover. Avoid using overly flowery language and jargon; using precise terminology that pertains to the subject at hand can improve the clarity of an argument for those versed in the domain. "Mise en scène" is ectly suitable term in a forsay on the visual arts. Appropriate academic vocabulary can reinforce the writer's knowledge in their field but cannot replace a solid argument.

Using abbreviations and acronyms. For example, a student specialising in microbiology may prefer using abbreviations like E. coli rather than the term "Escherichia coli" repeatedly throughout the paper. However, a less familiar abbreviation like DSB (meaning "Double Strand Break") might need to be clarified initially, especially if the reader is unfamiliar.

It is advisable to avoid using acronyms for extremely niche groups. If that is impossible, they should be clearly defined at the start of the work to avoid confusing the reader.

 Referencing and reliability:

Remember that you are not just writing for yourself; you are writing for an audience likely to want to double-check your claims. So, make it easier for them by providing sources and referencing appropriately. You must provide a full, accurate list of citations in your bibliography in whatever format your instructor has requested.

It is also vital to choose sources carefully. Since the advent of the Internet, we are increasingly bombarded with information from various sources, many of which might not be particularly credible. One of the primary concerns in academic writing is the quality and credibility of the sources you use to make an argument. Is the source you're using peer-reviewed? Is it respected by others in the field? Is it current, and does it reflect the most recent research?

It's wisest to lean towards being cautious and look for more credible sources whenever you're unsure. This applies not just to the evidence you present but also to the opinions and perspectives you offer.

In conclusion, academic writing demands more than the ability to write well; it requires attention to detail, careful selection of sources, and a commitment to presenting an argument clearly. By avoiding common pitfalls and adopting a more formal, structured approach, you can ensure that your work meets the highest standards and leaves a lasting impression on your readers.

Final takeaways

Academic writing should not be viewed as an all-or-nothing scenario. The flexibility of rules often depends on the subject matter, and the specific question at hand, and determining what it means to 'bend' those rules is somewhat subjective. It's highly beneficial for academic writers to collaborate with an advisor to enhance their work or, at the very least, have it reviewed by peers or colleagues. For students at the undergraduate or postgraduate level, there are likely support services available either on campus or online to assist with this. Regardless of the type of assistance you opt for, it's crucial to keep in mind that the goal of scholarly writing is to articulate an argument about a topic clearly and convincingly. Adhering to the recommended practices mentioned here will guide you towards refining your academic writing skills.

In today's environment, where informal writing on blogs and social media is commonplace, it's natural for emerging scholars to question if they are hitting the right note in their formal writing endeavours. Consistent experimentation and practice are the keys to discovering the writing style that truly fits your academic work. Remember, the seasoned academics at Dissertation Consultant possess vast expertise in achieving the correct academic tone. They are ready to assist and help you through one or several theses, research papers, and dissertation writing, offering insights into what aspects you're excelling in and areas for enhancement.