Skip to Content

How to Write with an Academic Tone

Writing with an Academic Tone

When writing academic papers for class you may have a hard time writing in a style that is different from the way you speak casually with your friends. Below you will find some tips and tricks to help you sound professional in your writing for class, on a job application, or a business email.

TIP 1: Do not use contractions.

Words like won’t, can’t, don’t, or isn’t are natural in casual speech but in a formal paper it is best to steer clear of them. It is such a subtle change but it makes a huge difference tonally. Example: 

  • I don’t want to sound informal in my writing.
  • I do not want to sound informal in my writing.

TIP 2: Do not use the same word over and over again.

One of the exciting parts of writing is the variety of words available for you to choose from. If you find yourself becoming too repetitive you can always look that word up in a thesaurus. (If you do PLEASE make sure you know what the new word means! It is not always an exact replacement!). Example:

  • Varying your word choice is important. Variety in words helps the audience engage in the writing which is the most important thing for a writer to consider.
  • Varying your word choice is important. Changing up the vocabulary in a paper can help the audience stay engaged with the material. This is a crucial point for the author to consider.

TIP 3: Do not use slang in your writing.

While part of anyone’s natural vocabulary, slang words are an immediate indicator of a casual tone. When you are writing for academic purposes you have to be understood by anyone, not just your peers. Language evolves rapidly and slang words may not be understood by everyone who encounters your work. Example:

  • Dracula is high-key one of the best characters out there. He is so extra and the OG rizzler. No wonder all the other dudes are pressed about him stealing their ladies.
  • Dracula is one of the most fascinating characters in modern literature. His flair for the dramatic and natural charisma are unmatched. It is unsurprising the other male characters feel threatened as he is able to entrance their partners with his otherworldly powers.