How to become a great academic writer and editor

Academic writer and editor

Qualities of a good academic writer and academic editor

Academic writing belongs to a different realm altogether. Academic writers are not just information sharers. These writers architect knowledge into the minds of people. Each academic writer makes their craft with innovation, meticulousness, dedication, and passion, which makes the woven words a standout piece. 

This article brings out the key aspects that every academic writer should possess.

An academic writer and academic editor should have a willingness to learn

A fun yet “WOW” characteristic of an academic writer is that they find joy in learning. A good academic writer is well-versed in their field. This helps academic writers comprehend and deliver a path to their information. However, the field is full of surprises. Let’s say you are an academic writer specializing in the field of mechanical engineering and were given a task in electronics. A good academic writer can take the topic as a challenge, research it, find out the objective, and produce great content. Moreover, ever-changing technology and innovation demand a learner. Finding the joy and the willingness to be a lifelong student play a vital role in academic writing.

An academic writer and editor should be precise and clear

The trademark of an academic writer is being precise and clear. A written article shouldn’t be loaded with information. Not all information is valid. In the field of academic writing, there is no room for ambiguous or vague writing. The information should be clear and easy to understand. Additionally, being concise means having the sword of wisdom to cut down complexity and wield it with sharp notes. The writers have a vibrant yet tailored style of writing according to the audience. If a question on climate change is said to be written for a fifth grader, the writing part reduces maximum jargon and makes it simple. At the same time, if the topic is climate change and how to cope with it—a review—then the writers automatically change their writing style into a more professional format. Being an academic writer comes with untold flexibility and a commitment to a simple and clear writing style. Only good academic writing is worth being published in a quality journal.

Skilled in organized written work

Great content with great information is not the only goal of an academic writer. In the field of academic writing, writers hold a key to organization. Organizational skill is an inborn factor that makes everything flow into its place. Each writer has their own way of crafting their art, and only a few can organize them. A good organization of headings and subheadings, along with citations and references, makes for an easy flow of the content. This can help the reader gain a better understanding of the subject. Good writing should never be a puzzle. The organization plays a key role in academic writing as it involves novel findings and unique discoveries.

Review your written thesis/document and proofread it

Mistakes are inevitable. Academic writers mostly write around 5,000 to 6,000 words in an article. Review and proofreading are inevitable checkers for academic writers. No great things happen in one night. The pinnacle of an academic writer is their ability to start early. An academic writer’s task after completion of work is to proofread, review, and edit the article at least three times. For an academic writer, writing, proofreading, editing, and reviewing go hand in hand. A well-reviewed article has a greater impact rate.

An academic writer should stick to the rules

Rules are not meant to be broken but to be followed. It is important to understand the rules of review writing, research writing, book chapters, and theses. Moreover, an academic writer must involve their knowledge in mastering the article according to the author’s guidelines in a publication. A well-versed academic writer knows the drill in citation style, manuscript preparation, formatting guidelines, and language usage and carefully puts them together. Whether it’s APA, Chicago, Harvard, or any other style, it is important to maintain the integrity, consultancy, and accuracy of the work.

Thesis, manuscripts and other academic documents should be free of plagiarism

In academics, there is always research, and one cannot work without papers. Reference papers don’t mean the writing or the work can be copied. Citations are inspirations that a researcher gets to address a problem. Plagiarism-free work also doesn’t mean the work can be paraphrased. Academic writers are researchers in disguise. A proficient academic writer understands the concept, the research background, the need for the research, and the unique elements needed to tailor the content. In general, a review article can have 15-30% plagiarism; a research article should have below 20% plagiarism. An academic writer brings a new look to the research by spreading the research through writing to the world.

Academic writers and freelance academic editors should attend to details

Details play hide and seek in academic writing. An academic writer is always aware of this little devil. Missing out on details can affect the quality of a paper on a large scale. In research, the value of the concentration of carbon is 21%, and that of oxygen is 12%. If the writer doesn’t pay much attention to it and writes them as carbon 12% and oxygen 21%, the entire results of the research work are at a collision. Starting from grammar and punctuation to citations, they pay detailed attention. These details not only magnify the quality but also give gratification to the scholar.

Passion for writing and editing

Yes, no one can do a herculean task without having a passion for writing. While writing is the art of conveying emotions, ideas, and information like a roaring lion, passion or interest plays an important role in writing. Academic writing needs patience, creativity, and communication, along with an undying zeal for passion. There are hardships in academic writing, and sometimes, if passion is the reason you started, you will shine in the field.

Conclusion 

In the tangled field of academic writing, only Rapunzel can hold the weight and find the way for the researchers to land in the castles. The tapestry of academic writing includes a willingness to learn, passion, attention to detail, editing and proofreading, plagiarism-free work, and organizing. There are other key aspects, namely critical thinking, research proficiency, and engagement with peer reviews. Understanding these aspects helps scholars and writers advance collective information throughout the world.

Are you looking for editing writing, editing, or proofreading services for your academic thesis, manuscript, report, or any other type of document? In case yes, then please feel free to connect with Content Connects. 

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