Academic writing is, of course, any formal written work produced in
an academic setting. While academic writing comes in many forms,
the following are some of the most common.
Research paper: A research paper uses outside information to
support a thesis or make an argument. Research papers are written in
all disciplines and may be evaluative, analytical, or critical in nature.
Writing a research paper involves synthesizing this external
information with your own ideas.
Dissertation: A dissertation (or thesis) is a document submitted at the
conclusion of a Ph.D. program. The dissertation is a book-length
summarization of the doctoral candidate’s research.
Characteristics of Academic Writing
Most academic disciplines employ their own stylistic conventions.
However, all academic writing shares certain characteristics.
1. Clear and limited focus. The focus of an academic paper—the
argument or research question—is established early by the thesis
statement. Every paragraph and sentence of the paper should be
clear and logically connected.
2. Logical structure. All academic writing follows a logical,
straightforward structure. In its simplest form, academic writing
includes an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
The introduction provides background information, lays out the
scope and direction of the essay, and states the thesis. The body
paragraphs support the thesis statement, with each body
paragraph elaborating on one supporting point. The conclusion
refers back to the thesis, summarizes the main points, and
highlights the implications of the paper’s findings. Each
sentence and paragraph logically connects to the next in order to
present a clear argument.
3. Evidence-based arguments. Academic writing requires well-
informed arguments. Statements must be supported by evidence,
whether from scholarly sources (as in a research paper), results
