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MHS Library | Academic writing

Academic writing

Academic writing is a formal style of writing.

  • It uses grammatically correct sentences and punctuation.

  • It appears neutral and avoids emotional language.

  • It avoids conversational words: you know, things like, stuff and abbreviations: can’t, won’t, doesn’t, shouldn’t.

  • It uses verbs that avoid expressions of absolute certainty such as: give the impression of, tend to, appear to be, consider, think, doubt, indicate, recommend, show.  

  • Your view is the basis of your argument BUT you need to back up your position with evidence from academic sources.

  • It demonstrates analysis and evaluation of arguments from recent academic evidence.

  • It presents your ideas and evidences in a logical and progressive manner.

  • It contains a bibliography.

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