Where to start in academic writing?

Writing for an academic journal can be a daunting task, but it is certainly not impossible. In fact, it can be quite rewarding. Here are a few tips to help you

Where to start in academic writing?

Essential steps of the writing processSelect an interesting topic. Research and record information from sources. Formulate a strong thesis statement that you will argue, plan your essay and make a basic outline. Write the first draft of your essay.

Review your first draft and improve the content, logic and flow. Are you a college graduate who loves to write? If so, you might be attracted to the many, many websites that offer “academic writing” opportunities. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. Don't be tempted to use complex language or expressions other than your own, just to make your writing look academic.

Your reader needs to understand the information or ideas you are conveying. To have a solid structure, it's best to create an outline before you start writing. It will help you stay motivated and on track. It's much easier to write with a plan in mind than to write in a formless void.

Academic Writing Refers to writing academic papers for high school, college and university students. In most cases, teachers give their students essays, research or other tasks, but due to a busy schedule and poor understanding of the English language, many students choose to outsource the work to others, mostly from third world countries, to do the work for them. For example, a writer recently blocked me on Twitter after I had the nerve to point out that academic writing is wrong. If you've been caught on the treadmill of academic writing, there's no better time than the present to leave behind this ethical swamp and move on to making more legitimate concert articles, case studies, web content.

Despite the obvious fact that ghost essays cause students to be expelled, I find that academic writers often have a backlash to the suggestion that what they are doing is unethical. Specialized language or jargon is common and often necessary in academic writing, which is usually addressed to an audience of other scholars in related fields. For example, an academic essay may fall into descriptive, analytical, persuasive, or critical categories, each of which might ask you to take a different approach to your writing. A good structure is vital in academic writing, and a clear and logical structure will help you present your ideas.

The formal style used in academic writing ensures that research is presented consistently across texts, so that studies can be objectively evaluated and compared with other research. Well, there are certainly legitimate types of academic writing, such as research papers for scientific research institutions and writing textbook supplements. Most scholars write texts intended for publication, such as journal articles, reports, books and chapters in edited collections. They show that you care about your work and that you have adopted a disciplined attitude to writing academically.

I remember reading a guy's justification once, that since he couldn't get a job as an academic professor, this was his only way to earn money. When I started writing, I was suddenly approached by a lot of students who wanted me to write for them. Structure is also important in academic writing: it helps to clarify your ideas, guides the reader's understanding, and can strengthen your arguments. Nowadays, academic writing has become a lucrative business in Kenya, especially for students and graduates on campus.

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