Academic writing: eight rules that improve any paper

How to turn a draft into clear academic text: paragraph structure, linking words, consistent terms and careful wording of claims.

Part of the series: Seminar Paper Structure: Every Chapter, What Goes In It and How Long It Should Be

Good academic writing is, first of all, clear writing. The reader, your supervisor or grader, should understand what you're claiming and what it's based on, without reading a sentence twice. These rules hold whether you write in English or in Hebrew.

1. One idea per paragraph

Open the paragraph with a sentence that states the main idea, continue with explanation and evidence, and close with a sentence that links to the next paragraph or to the overall argument. If a paragraph has two ideas, it's probably two paragraphs.

2. Linking words that show the logic

Linking words tell the reader how sentences relate:

• Addition: in addition, moreover, furthermore
• Contrast: however, in contrast, nevertheless
• Cause and effect: therefore, consequently, as a result
• Example: for example, for instance

Without linking words, the text reads like a list of sentences rather than an argument.

3. Every claim needs a source

"Studies show that..." without a reference is one of the things supervisors flag most. Every factual claim that isn't common knowledge needs a reference.

4. Same concept, same term

If you defined "occupational burnout", don't switch halfway to "work fatigue" and "exhaustion". In academic writing, a different word reads as a different concept.

5. Careful wording of findings

A single study doesn't "prove". Better to write "the findings suggest...", "it appears that..." or "it may be that...". And correlation isn't causation: "a relationship was found between", not "caused".

6. Shorter sentences

A sentence that runs for three lines with several clauses is hard to read. If you can split it in two without losing meaning, do.

7. Formal, not conversational, language

Instead of "a lot", "really" and "basically", prefer "many", "considerably", or simply delete. And avoid abbreviations that aren't standard in your field.

8. Read it aloud before submitting

The simplest way to find awkward sentences, missing words and repetition is to read the text aloud, or have someone else read it.

Good editing doesn't change your content. It makes sure the reader understands it the way you meant it.

Next steps

These rules apply in every chapter - especially the abstract, the introduction and rationale and the discussion. Rule 3 ("every claim needs a source") is carried out with APA citation rules. The whole paper: seminar paper structure. And if you polish wording with ChatGPT - here's how to do it without risking the paper.

Last updated: 2026-09-27