Writing essays for your university classes can be stressful. Here are some tips that can help make the process easier and the results better!

1. Make it active

Active is better than passive. This principle applies to almost anything dealing with thoughts, emotions, and concepts. And academic writing is no exception! The active voice has proven to be far more appealing to the reader than the passive voice. 

For instance, if you want to say that sociology is a highly relevant discipline, you can go with two options: “Sociology is viewed as an inherent study of the modern academic world,” or “Today’s academics view sociology as an inherent study of the modern academic world.” Now, which one sounds more compelling? We bet you have the correct answer! 

“Activize,” don’t “passivize.”

2. Don’t use hackneyed phrases

Try to steer clear of language that is overused by non-fluent writers as it can devalue your writing. Every language has its cliché phrases and overused idioms that writers and speakers largely prefer over others due to their catchiness or simplicity. And, since English is ubiquitous today and being used far more often than other languages, particularly on the web, the most “beloved” phrases in this language have become totally played out.

Let’s take the phrase “what’s more.” Almost always going at the beginning of a sentence, this language unit is one of the most commonly utilized phrases in writing. To make your text stand out from the regular academic writing crafted by inexperienced writers, consider replacing this phrase and come up with something more creative and out of the ordinary. Instead of “what’s more,” you can employ “on top of that” or “into the bargain.”

3.  Be specific

Many writers mistakenly turn to generalizing their statements rather than providing specific, valid arguments to their claims. Yes, you can state your point of view, which may reflect that of many people and seem true and reasonable. However, if you don’t support it with solid argument, it will spoil the validity and credibility of your essay. By backing up the statements you use in your essay, you demonstrate your knowledgeability in the subject along with your mastery of academic writing.

4. Use the specific terminology of your discipline

Including specific terminology in your essay is an inherent element of a good academic piece. Through implementing relevant terms in your paper, you make it more professional and worthy in terms of its scholarly value. Look for glossaries and terminology lists in your handbooks, or use online sources to track the terms you need for your essay. But remember that it’s important not to go to extremes when using terminology in your essay, stuffing the text with irrelevant terms. Strike a balance between the scholarly and non-scholarly language in your essay.

Drawing the line

In academic writing, it’s critical to adhere to established rules and standards to make it a success. The tremendous number of suggestions and tips on science writing goes far beyond the list we have included, but the recommendations we have provided in this article are the cornerstones of effective and productive writing strategy. We hope you do make use of the tricks and principles we have prepared for you!   

Check out our other articles below:

• Writing a Compelling Scholarship Essay
• Your Law School Admissions Essay: What Not to Do
• How to Write an Illustrative Essay to Get an A+ Grade
• Essay Topics to Avoid in Your College Application
• How to Write a College-Level Essay

Kelly Pethick is a loving mother of two amazing girls and a writer at EssayShark, an academic writing service.