What this article covers:
Term papers, seminar papers, essays or dissertations: during your degree, you’ll find it almost impossible to avoid academic writing. But how do you write academically? What actually distinguishes an academic text from a general essay? And what should you bear in mind when writing?
Academic writing isn’t a talent you need to possess from the outset. With the right foundations, a bit of practice and a structured approach, you can learn to write academic texts that are clear, coherent and persuasive.
In this article, you’ll find out what defines academic writing, how to structure an academic text and what tips can help you when writing your next term paper.
Academic writing refers to the structured and clear presentation of findings, arguments and research results. The focus is not on personal opinion, but on an objective examination of an academic question.
You should back up your statements, cite sources correctly and ensure that your line of reasoning is clear to others. An academic text should therefore not only show what you think, but above all why your conclusions make sense based on existing evidence.
Typical academic texts during your degree include, for example:
Academic writing is primarily about presenting a clear and coherent argument. Your text should answer a specific question and be based on appropriate academic sources.
A few basic principles will help you with this:
Avoid unnecessary filler words, colloquial language and highly subjective phrasing. Write as precisely as possible to convey what you mean.
Instead of: “Social media is a real problem for students because it often distracts them.”
Better: “The use of social media can impair concentration whilst studying.”
This does not mean that academic texts have to sound complicated. On the contrary: good academic language is precise and understandable.
An academic paper does not simply consist of assertions. Statements that are not based on your own reasoning or findings should be supported by appropriate sources.
Instead of: “Working from home increases productivity.”
Better: “Studies show that productivity can increase when working from home under certain conditions (see source).”
This makes it clear what your statement is based on and that you are interpreting research findings in a nuanced way.
Technical terms can help to express complex issues precisely. However, only use them if they are relevant to your topic, and explain key terms at the beginning of your paper if necessary.
Academic writing does not mean that you are not allowed to express your own views. However, your argument should be transparent and objectively substantiated.
Phrases such as ‘I think that …’ or ‘In my opinion …’ are therefore less appropriate. Instead, you could write, for example:
An academic text usually follows a clear structure. The exact outline depends on the type of text and the guidelines set by your university.
For a traditional academic essay, for example, the following structure is recommended:
1. Introduction
The introduction sets out the topic and explains the research question you are investigating. You can also briefly explain why the topic is relevant and how you will approach your work.
2. Main body
The main body is where you engage with your research question in depth. You present relevant research findings, analyse them and develop your argument.
3. Conclusion
In the conclusion, you summarise the key findings and answer your research question. Depending on the assignment, you may also provide an outlook on open questions or the need for further research.
➡️ Important: The exact structure should always be appropriate to the topic. Not every academic paper needs to follow the same structure.
If you have little experience with academic texts so far, the writing process may seem overwhelming at first. A structured approach helps.
1. Read the assignment carefully
Before you start your research, you should clarify:
A precise statement of the task is the starting point for your entire piece of work.
2. Formulating a research question
A good research question narrows down your topic and gives your work a clear direction.
For example, the general topic ‘Social media and university studies’ could be turned into the more specific question:
‘What influence does the use of social media have on students’ learning behaviour?’
The more precise your question is, the more focused your research and arguments can be.
3. Research academic sources
Where possible, use suitable academic sources for your research. These include, for example, specialist books, academic journal articles, studies and publications from research institutions.
Make sure to check the quality and up-to-date nature of your sources. Not all information found on the internet is suitable as academic evidence.
4. Systematically document your sources
Make a note, whilst you are researching, of which information you have taken from which source. This will save you unnecessary searching later on and reduce the risk of citation errors.
Reference management programmes or a simple table containing the following details are helpful:
5. Create an outline
Before you write the first paragraph, you should structure your argument. A draft outline will help you stay on track.
For each section, ask yourself: How does this section contribute to answering my research question?
If you cannot find a clear answer to this, the section may not belong in your paper.
1. Write clearly rather than complicatedly
‘Scientific’ does not mean using as many foreign words as possible. Short and precise sentences are often easier to understand than convoluted phrasing.
2. Avoid unsubstantiated claims
When making important statements, always ask yourself: How do I know this? If the information comes from a source, you should cite it accordingly.
3. Distinguish between sources and your own arguments
Make it clear when you are reporting research findings and when you are analysing them yourself or drawing your own conclusions.
4. Cite consistently
Direct quotations must be marked as such. Content paraphrased must also be cited in accordance with your university’s citation guidelines.
5. Use technical terms sparingly
Technical language can be precise, but should not be used to make a text seem unnecessarily complicated.
6. Revise your text
The first draft does not have to be perfect. Allow sufficient time for revising both the language and the content.
7. Read your text from the readers’ perspective
Will someone who hasn’t worked on the topic themselves understand your argument? Are the transitions between sections clear? Are key terms explained?
These questions will help you identify gaps in your argument.
Academic research relies on others being able to understand which sources your statements are based on.
A fundamental distinction is made between direct and indirect quotations.
In a direct quotation, you reproduce a statement word for word and mark it as such. In an indirect quotation, you paraphrase a source’s statement in your own words.
Which citation style you should use – for example, APA, Harvard or the German citation style – depends on your degree programme and the guidelines set by your university.
💡Tip: Before you start writing, find out about the formal requirements for your department. Consistency is particularly important when citing sources.
Typical mistakes in academic writing tend to occur, particularly at the beginning. These include:
A research question that is too broad:
A broad topic often cannot be addressed effectively within the limited scope of a term paper.
Lack of a central thread:
Individual pieces of interesting information do not in themselves constitute a sound academic argument. Each section should contribute to answering the research question.
Too many direct quotations:
An academic paper should not simply consist of a string of statements by other authors. What matters is your own engagement with the sources.
Unclear references:
If you use someone else’s statements, you must make it clear where they come from.
Overly complicated language:
Long sentences and unnecessary technical terms do not automatically make a text more academic.
Not enough time for revision:
Allow time not only for writing, but also for proofreading, checking sources and formatting.
Before you hand in your work, you can check your text using these questions:
Academic writing often seems complicated, especially at the start of your degree. Over time, however, you’ll become more familiar with the structure of academic texts. What matters most is not particularly complex phrasing, but rather a clear research question, a coherent line of argument, careful research and correct citation.
If you want to learn how to write academically, one thing helps above all else: writing regularly, seeking feedback and consciously revising your texts. In this way, you’ll develop your own academic writing style step by step. ✨
