Is academic writing professional or formal?

Need help with academic writing? Not sure if it should be professional or formal? Our guide will help you figure out the best approach for your paper.

Is academic writing professional or formal?

Academic writing uses a formal style and usually uses the perspective of the third person. The focus of writing is on facts and questions rather than on the writer's opinion. The language uses precise words and does not include jargon, jargon or abbreviations.

Academic writing

will be formal in the third person, while professional writing will be less formal and can use any point of view.

One of the biggest differences is that academic writing is mainly done to show your research and experience in a specific area or topic of interest, whereas professional writing is often done to influence or convince someone of something. Business (or professional) writing is about to try to communicate a message that will influence actions or opinions on a particular topic. Academic writing is usually a research or knowledge work in which the author uses analysis to try to increase the understanding of a particular subject area. Academic writing and professional writing are extremely different, and you're likely to encounter both styles at different points in your life.

But from a professional point of view, the audience is likely to be made up of several parties with different levels of knowledge, viewpoints and attention span. In general, you would write a professional document in a business environment to project an idea to your colleagues or propose a project. However, from a professional point of view, it is very likely that the public is working with time constraints and has other articles to read.

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