What are three requirements of academic writing?

Whether you're a student, academic, or professional, good writing skills are essential. But what are the three requirements of academic writing? We explore this

What are three requirements of academic writing?

Academic writing is clear, concise, focused, structured and supported by evidence. Its purpose is to help the reader understand. It has a formal tone and style, but it is not complex and does not require the use of long sentences and complicated vocabulary. It is difficult to find a simple definition of academic writing because there are many types and forms of academic writing, produced for a variety of reasons.

While specific requirements may vary depending on the particular form of academic writing or the class or publication for which a work is produced, some characteristics are common to all academic writing. It's what students are expected to produce for classes and what professors and academic researchers use to write academic materials. While this is not an exhaustive list of all the possible forms that academic writing can take, it contains the most common types. Whether you're writing a research paper, a thesis, or a conference paper, these tips can help you approach your academic writing tasks and projects from the right perspective.

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