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5 Most Common Mistakes in Academic Writing

Be careful that you're avoiding these pitfalls the next time you write an essay for school.
November 4, 2021
5 mins read

When writing an essay or project, you’ve got to know which rules apply. If you don’t, you might end up with a poor grade or a less satisfactory academic record. To know which mistakes to avoid, this article will give you a list of errors to be aware of (and their resolutions). Check out the most common mistakes in academic writing and learn how to solve them.

1. Developing a vague thesis statement

Your thesis statement must be clear, strong and concise. Otherwise, your reader will not be able to follow your train of thought and understand your arguments. Including too many details (or not enough) and writing in a disorganized manner is inefficient, as you might not be able to get your point across.

A strong thesis statement has the following attributes. It is specific, meaning it focuses on one specific area or topic. It is precise, can be argued, can be easily demonstrated, it’s not easily forgotten, and it’s described with confidence, argues Gina, thesis writer at dissertation writing services. For example, including “I believe…” or “I think…” in your statement is not efficient. You’ve got to state exactly how things are, not how you want them to be. Your opinion doesn’t matter; facts must be stated.

2. Not enough supporting evidence

Since this article is discussing facts, another common mistake is the inability to support your arguments with data. The important thing is to not be afraid to change your opinion and argue for the other side if facts point that way.

Use Google Scholar to look for evidence that applies to your topic. If there’s plenty of proof to convince you to support a different claim, don’t be afraid to do so. Research is about reading thousands of articles and only then forming an opinion based on the available information. If there’s not enough data to support your claims, it’s okay to change your statement.

3. An inauthentic idea

Another common problem in the academic world is the absence of original ideas. If other researchers have already studied your topic of interest, there might be enough available data on it. What then, is the purpose of designing another similar study?

In research analysis, we’re interested in finding new information each day, states essay writing service UK representative Mario Kornberg. One study builds on another because there is a need for further data to be collected. You must be able to come up with new information through your research. If you’re unable to, you should pick another topic that builds on the existing research.

4. Long, confusing sentences

When your sentences are too long, your ideas get lost. That’s because your structure does not meet the necessary writing requirements and is then unable to be correctly assessed. The meaning of a sentence changes as you add more information to it, so try to stay minimalistic. Write, short, concise sentences, adding supporting arguments to each new idea you’re presenting. Using too many words takes away from the strength of your message.

5. Forgetting to revise and edit the essay

The biggest mistake is forgetting to revise your academic essay. You should be aware of your spelling and grammar mistakes, as well as your punctuation errors. Your content must be well-written to score high. Plus, your attention to detail shows your interest in the content at hand. Writing a clear essay and ensuring that your writing stays error-free is highly important.

Wrapping Up

So, here’s a short recap. To avoid making common mistakes, develop a clear and concise statement, come up with a unique idea and compelling evidence, keep your sentences short, and always revise and edit before sending.


William Nunez is an experienced content creator and writer based in Pittsburgh, PA. I am inspired by the people I communicate with. I love my job and constantly develop my skills. New challenges are moving me forward.

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