How is academic writing different from other writings?

Writing for academia is different from other types of writing in a few key ways. Learn about the expectations, conventions, and purposes of academic writing

How is academic writing different from other writings?

Academic writing is generally quite formal, objective (impersonal) and technical. It is formal by avoiding casual or conversational language, such as contractions or informal vocabulary. It is impersonal and objective by avoiding direct reference to people or feelings and instead emphasizing objects, facts and ideas.

Academic writing

should use formal language that minimizes the use of contractions and colloquialisms and avoids jargon terminology whenever possible.

Casual language should only be used for emphasis.

Academic writing is

used in research projects, conference papers, essays, abstracts, reports, etc. Academic writing contains citations and references, while non-academic writing does not usually contain citations and references. In addition, the main purpose of a non-academic piece of writing is to inform, entertain or persuade readers.

To write in the academic style, it's important that you do a lot of research or reflection on your writing before you start. Academic writing can sometimes encompass complex and difficult to understand material, so it is important to make clear to the reader the meaning behind the information presented. To reiterate, other types of writing, although they also require some structure, may not have such strict rules compared to academic writing. There is a clear difference between academic and non-academic writing in its format, audience, purpose and tone.

Another difference is that with general writing (content, blogs and copywriting, for example) the topics addressed can deal more with practical and concrete concepts, while academic writing is more concerned with abstract ideas. Already in middle school, students are taught to write essays, which is a form of academic writing. In academic writing, the writer is expected to support his argument by citing evidence from other sources. Whether academic or business writing is the most relevant thing to you right now, you will benefit greatly from learning to communicate more effectively in writing.

You might even consider replacing academic jargon with another phrase that is more easily understood by the masses. Academic writing is a formal and rather impersonal way of writing that is intended for an academic audience. The difference between academic writing and non-academic writing is due to several factors, such as their audience, purpose, language, format, and tone. The key difference between academic writing and non-academic writing is that academic writing is a formal and rather impersonal mode of writing that is intended for an academic audience, while non-academic writing is any writing aimed at the mass audience.

General writing can be informal, formal or semi-formal, but it would be simpler and easier to understand than academic writing. For example, when the audience is the target audience of an academic paper, it's probably a good idea to use simple language to explain any difficult terms used in the document.

Joseph Robbins
Joseph Robbins

Joe Robbins is a seasoned educational consultant and the Head of Consultancy at The Profs, a multi-award-winning education company based in the UK. With a Master’s degree in Security, Leadership, and Society from King’s College London (awarded with Distinction), Joe brings a deep understanding of academic integrity, strategic thinking, and global education standards.At The Profs, Joe led the creation of their Consultancy division—offering expert admissions support for competitive UK and US universities, academic mentoring, career guidance, and tailored educational strategies for students worldwide. With over a decade of experience in higher education, Joe is a trusted voice in academic planning, essay structuring, and application coaching.On Academic-Writing.net, Joe shares practical insights into academic writing conventions, formal style, third-person usage, and evidence-based writing techniques. His articles help students across disciplines improve clarity, coherence, and academic rigour in their essays, dissertations, and research papers.“Academic writing isn’t just a skill—it’s a gateway to critical thinking, strong communication, and future success.”Expertise: Academic writing, UK & US university admissions, essay structure, personal statements, research planning