What is Academic Writing?
Academic writing aims to prove, justify, and substantiate disciplinary boundaries. Academic writing is formal, detailed, properly referenced, and verified. A dissertation proposal and thesis are some examples of academic writing.
Academic writing can be based on topics such as a significant event, occurrence, person, or any other relevant topic that aligns with your area of study.
It also involves writing and publishing scholarly papers and research papers.
Characteristics of Academic Writing
Academic writing involves using correct syntax and spelling in concise and accurate language. Academic content has an authoritative tone, solid concepts, and clear goals.
The most important features of academic writing are:
- Academic content is written in a formal tone.
- Academic writing has a clear intent.
- Academic writing is precise.
- Academic writing is produced following a structure.
- Academic writing is always substantiated with adequate references.
- Academic writing involves critical thinking and analysis.
- Academic writers must maintain objective distance to help reduce any bias.
- Academic writing is to the point. However, this does not mean that such content is incomplete. The aim is to focus on the subject and discuss it in detail while minimizing unnecessary repetition or wordiness.
- Academic writing requires proper citation of sources used and adherence to a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
- Such contents require academic scrutiny. They need peer reviewing and thorough revision.
- Academic content is written in scholarly language, meaning academic writing uses jargon and technical terms.
Different Types of Academic Writing
Academic writing can be categorized into 4 sections. They are divided based on style, purpose, and subject of writing.
The four types of academic writing are:
1. Descriptive academic content
Descriptive materials provide drawn-out explanations of a topic.
Summaries and reports are examples of descriptive content.
2. Analytical academic content
Analytical writings are based on analysis of field studies, academic findings, surveys, or other verifiable data.
The purpose of analytical writing is to examine, compare, or relate facts and information.
For instance, a research paper titled “The growth of content writing jobs post COVID-19“.
3. Persuasive academic content
In persuasive academic content, you need to add your perspective to the research. It can be an argument, evaluation, statement, interpretation, or evaluation.
As in other forms of academic writing, you have to support your view with proper reference.
A literary review is an example of persuasive academic content.
4. Critical academic content
Critical writing is the culmination of all these forms of writing. It requires description, analysis, and persuasion. Critical writing involves an overview of your work. Along with a point of view that you need to substantiate with adequate reference.
A critique of a journal article is an example of critical writing.
Content Writing: A Brief Introduction
Content writing is an umbrella term that encompasses blogs, articles, advertisements, social media posts, and theses. It is the process of writing material for the Internet. Content can be educational, promotional, technical, and informational.
Content production is a complex process. It requires a command of language, storytelling capability, research skills, and SEO principles.
The purpose of writing content depends on the nature of the content. The purpose can be to generate leads or to create brand awareness. It can also be to inform readers or entertain them.
Different forms of Content Writing
The different types of content are:
- Blog content.
- Copywriting.
- Article content.
- Academic content.
- Technical content.
- News content.
- E-book content.
- Social media content.
- Audio and video content.
- Web content.
- Infographic content.
- Case study.
- Content for Courses.
- Ghostwriting.
Academic Writing VS Content Writing: Key Differences
| Academic Writing | Content Writing |
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The Final Word
Content writing is an umbrella term. It implies writing content for users. On the other hand, academic writing is a form of content production. Both of these forms of writing have similarities, differences, and unique demands.
Academic writing strives to prove, justify, and establish disciplinary limits. Academic writing is formal, thorough, correctly referenced, and validated. Academic writing is a dissertation proposal or thesis.
Content writing is the process of writing material for the Internet. Content can be educational, promotional, technical, and informational.
