Introduction: Why Academic Writing in English Is the Dragon You Must Slay
So, you’ve bravely (or foolishly) decided to master academic writing in English. Welcome to the circus. Between the grammar traps, structure puzzles, and the mysterious land of “formal tone,” it’s amazing anyone survives the journey. But guess what? You’re not alone.
Whether you’re a university student trying to not embarrass yourself, a researcher wrangling data into sentences, or an academic trying to sound smart and get published, this guide is your slightly sarcastic but ultimately helpful sherpa. We’re talking grammar, structure, and tone. We’re talking real examples, not the weird textbook ones with penguins studying philosophy.
By the end of this blog, you’ll have actionable tips to:
Avoid common grammar fails (hint: “utilize” doesn’t make you sound smarter, it just makes you sound like a tool)
Build essays with actual flow
Strike the magical academic tone (aka: formal but not dead inside)
Learn from a full text analysis that doesn’t make you want to cry
Now let’s dive in before you default to another AI tool that writes like a haunted printer.
1. Grammar in Academic Writing: Because “It Sounded Right” Is Not a Strategy
Let’s be honest. Grammar in academic writing is where most souls are lost. It’s not just about being correct; it’s about being clear. Here’s what tends to go wrong:
Common Grammar Mistakes
Overusing passive voice: Yes, it sounds formal. No, it doesn’t make your sentence better.
Wrong: The data was analyzed by the students.
Better: The students analyzed the data.
Unnecessary complexity: Stop trying to write like a thesaurus.
Wrong: The implementation of the system facilitated the improvement of outcomes.
Better: The system improved the outcomes.
Comma abuse: This, is not, helpful. See our comma guidelines if you’re still adding commas like you’re seasoning fries.
Subject-verb agreement violations: If your subject is singular, your verb better not be plural. This is not a difficult relationship. For help, check out this breakdown on verbs ending in -s.
Practical Grammar Tips
Short sentences are your friend. They reduce confusion and increase clarity.
Use transition wordsintelligently: Therefore, however, moreover—not just to sound smart but to connect thoughts logically.
Cut filler words. If the sentence works without it, delete it. Your reader’s brain will thank you.
Sample Comparison
Wrong: It is considered that students, who are engaging in frequent academic writing practices, tends to exhibit better outcomes.
Right: Students who write frequently tend to perform better academically.
See? Less is more. Except in word count requirements. Sorry about that.
And if you need to brush up on the basic building blocks of English grammar, take a stroll through this primer on parts of speech. It’s like grammar kindergarten, but less colorful.
2. Structure: The Skeleton of Your Essay (Yes, It Needs Bones)
Structure in academic writing in English isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the difference between an essay and a wandering thought diary.
Basic Essay Structure
Introduction
Hook: Something smart or provocative
Background: Why this topic matters
Thesis: Your central argument
Body Paragraphs
Topic sentence: The main idea of the paragraph
Evidence: Facts, data, citations
Analysis: Your brain’s take on the evidence
Transition: Bridge to the next idea
Conclusion
Summarize main points
Reflect or suggest implications
Avoid “In conclusion, this essay has shown…” unless you’re writing in 1993
Paragraph Organization Tips
One idea per paragraph. No paragraph soup.
Use topic sentences like signposts.
Keep a logical flow. If your essay were a playlist, would the songs make sense in this order?
Example Outline
Introduction: The decline of peer-reviewed trust in digital age
Body Paragraph 1: Define peer-reviewed sources
Body Paragraph 2: Case study on misinformation
Body Paragraph 3: Strategies for academic verification
Conclusion: Reaffirm importance of critical thinking
For a more textbook-y breakdown (the good kind), Purdue OWL has a solid essay writing guide. Yes, it looks like the 2000s, but it works.
3. Style & Tone: How to Sound Academic Without Sounding Robotic
Tone is what separates an academic essay from a Reddit rant. Your goal? Be formal, be objective, but don’t sound like a robot trying to flirt.Still confused about what counts as academic tone? You’re not the only one. Thankfully, there’s a surprisingly human-friendly resource from Cambridge Dictionary that walks through the basics without frying your brain. Also worth bookmarking if your inner grammar goblin likes receipts.
Do Use
Third person perspective
Objective and evidence-based claims
Formal vocabulary (but not overly complex)
Don’t Use
First person (“I think” or “I believe”) unless your professor begs you to
Contractions: Don’t = do not, can’t = cannot
Overly dramatic language: This isn’t a Marvel movie script
Style Mistakes to Dodge
Colloquialisms: Just because it sounds cool in your head doesn’t mean it belongs in your citation section.
Vagueness: “Things”, “stuff”, “some people” —these are words used by people who haven’t done the reading.
Example Analysis
Bad style: I think social media is kinda ruining how we talk.
Better: Social media negatively impacts discourse by promoting brevity over depth.
You’re welcome.
Conclusion: You Might Actually Get Good at This
Let’s recap:
Grammar matters. Bad grammar = bad credibility.
Structure gives your ideas shape. Don’t just throw words at the page.
Tone separates you from the amateurs. Formal doesn’t mean lifeless.
Analysis helps you see how the parts fit together.
If you’ve made it this far, congratulations—you’re mildly more prepared than you were 10 minutes ago. Keep writing, keep editing, and maybe stop fearing commas.
And hey, if you found this useful, drop a comment, save the guide, or check out some of our other posts on collective nouns, simple subjects, and opposite words. Because reading one blog won’t make you a pro, but reading five? That’s statistically promising.
