Academic Writing: Do's and Don'ts

Use contractions as they shorten word count

• Do

• Don't

Answer explanation

Contractions are the words formed from two abbreviated words, such as "don't", "can't" and "won't". Please write the full words. 

Contractions are considered an informal part of writing and should be avoided in scholarly writing except for when:

Reproducing a direct quote

Writing about contractions

Reproducing an idiom

Making an informal remark

Writing a dialogue

Assume words mean the same in all cultures

• Do

• Don't

Answer explanation

Words have different connotations and nuanced meanings in various cultures. Research the true meaning of the word for your intended audience, location and publication

Use whatever citation style is easiest

• Do

• Don't

Answer explanation

Use the traditional citation style of your particular discipline

APA: papers in psychology, education and other social sciences

MLA: papers in literature, arts and humanities

Chicago: books, magazines, newspapers etc.

Copy style/format of esteemed journals

• Do

• Don't

Answer explanation

Read and examine sample articles in your discipline and in potential journals for publication

Pay special attention to citation style, format, layout, length and tone

English Teaching Forum example

Write in the first person frequently

• Do

• Don't

Answer explanation

First person pronouns include: “I”, ”we,” “me,” “us,” “my,” and “our”

Scientists avoid the use of “I” because it is viewed as interfering with the impression of objectivity

Conventions are changing

In the social sciences, the first person is becoming more commonly accepted, especially when the writer is describing his/her project or perspective

Read articles in your field extensively

• Do

• Don't

Answer explanation

Gain valuable context, background and findings in your discipline and area of expertise

In addition, glean important knowledge about tone, convention, vocabulary, format, style and structure

Write several drafts to improve by asking others to read your writing

• Do

• Don't

Answer explanation

Writing various drafts allows for tweaking/editing of your paper by improving logic, flow, structure and organization

Improve each draft by asking for feedback from mentors and peers

Practice your own critiquing skills by reading the drafts of others by giving positive and constructive feedback

Choose description over analysis

• Do

• Don't

Answer explanation

One of the most common mistakes in scholarly writing is to be too descriptive. This means that the writing contains little or no analysis or reference to theory.

Often, description turns into a summary, but critical analysis examines, evaluates, dissects, interprets and makes connections.

Analysis is valuable and important because it captures the essence of your original thoughts and ideas.

Opt for an online reference manager

• Do

• Don't

Answer explanation

Reference manager software allows quick and easy in-text citations and automatic generation of lists of references or bibliographies

Allows researcher to change citation style easily instead of doing it by hand

Helps to stay organized

Refworks, Endnote, Zotero, among many others

Write exclusively in the passive voice

• Do

• Don't

Answer explanation

Generally, the passive voice is cumbersome and weak because it doesn’t assign responsibility to a doer. (The study was performed by three assistants.)

Active sentences are stronger because there is a subject that acts on a direct object. (Three assistants performed the study.)

Sometimes the passive voice is appropriate:

Doer is indefinite/unknown

Result of action is more important than who acted

When rephrasing would be awkward or too complicated