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5 Practical Ways to Improve Your Academic Writing

Patricia Wilson1699 27-Nov-2018

Improving your academic writing skills takes time-commitment, persistence, and determination. As Octavia E. Butler once said, “You don’t start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking is good stuff, and then gradually you get better at it. That’s why I say one of the most valuable traits is persistence.”

“Academic writing is highly important for any college student. The stronger your skills, the higher your grades,” write academic writers. So, let’s see how you can improve your skills starting today.

Be Organized and Sketch out a Plan

One of the things to remember if you truly want to improve is keeping yourself organized. If your workplace is chaotic, your assignment will turn out the same. To get the best outcomes, one must map out an efficient, well-ordered plan. This will also help you keep track of your overall progress. Here are the steps you should take:

  • Set a goal – it’s important to know where you are heading; what do you want to accomplish? What is the end goal? Do you want to build confidence in your writing abilities to raise your grades? Is it because your future career requires it? Never forget your why.
  • Set up a prewriting section – read the assignment carefully and do your research, then think critically to select the best resources. Brainstorm and make an outline. List a topic sentence for each one of the paragraphs you will be expanding on.
  • It’s drafting time! Build a clear introduction and focus on your thesis statement. This is one of the most essential steps of the way. Your thesis is vital for readers to understand your essay.
  • Develop your arguments. Compare and contrast, respond to counterarguments in advance, and try to avoid logical fallacies.
  • Revise and ask for feedback on websites such as Bestessaytips.com.
  • Do a general revision for effective organization and constructive goal setting.

Focus on Your Grammar and Punctuation. Don’t Forget About Style

Grammar and punctuation are significant writing tools that will help you get the message across. If you use them effectively, your readers will be able to concentrate on the idea presented rather than on the content’s deficiency. You should polish your work by checking your writing style as well. Here’s how :

  • Read, read, read, read! Reading is extremely important when it comes to improving your grammar and punctuation skills. Allow yourself at least one hour per day for reading.
  • Consult a grammar manual – having a reference book at hand is always helpful.
  • Review what you’ve learned – go over the grammar basics one more time.
  • Practice as much as you can and pay close attention to your progress.

What you should focus on:

  • The use of commas and semi-colons
  • Know when to use dashes or hyphens
  • Explain abbreviations, even when they seem logical
  • Make clear referents, such as “this,” “that,” or “those”
  • Know the difference between who and whom
  • Always use active voice instead of passive
  • Focus on parallel construction

Use the Proper Vocabulary

Using the right vocabulary is also important when writing an academic paper. “You must convince your professor that your arguments are strong and that they prove your thesis statement. You don’t need to use fancy words for that, especially those whose meaning you don’t truly understand. Acting so will do nothing but confuse the reader,” shares Craig Wilson, content writer at MyAssignmentWriting.com.au.

Instead of using an improper word, stick with what you’re already familiar with. That doesn’t mean that you should not improve your vocabulary. Read as much as you can, whenever you can to develop this skill!

Make Sure You Understand the Arguments

As funny as it sounds, many college students choose the argument that looks the best instead of using the one that actually proves their point. Selecting the right arguments and understanding their meaning should be your top priority. You should always ask yourself, “does this argument prove my thesis statement and support it thoroughly?” If the answer is yes, you should stick to it. If the answer is no, find a better one.

It’s important to be concise and strict when picking your reasoning. Don’t start writing until you haven’t made up a plan and found out which direction you’re heading towards (which is why point one is critical!).

Use Essay Writing Helping Services

If you are bombarded with endless writing assignments and have little to no time left for yourself, consider using essay writing services. Numerous remote workers are waiting to help you out on websites such as Bestessays.com or College-Paper.org. You can order an essay and have it back within just a few hours. However, that does not mean you should give up on improving your skills. In the end, developing new qualities will turn you into a higher-skilled individual.

Conclusion

To better your academic writing skills, be organized and map out a plan, focus on your grammar and punctuation, use the proper vocabulary, make sure you understand the arguments, and use essay writing services if you need to. Good luck! 


Updated 27-Nov-2018

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