Common Pitfalls in Academic Writing and How to Avoid Them

Did not proofread

Grammatical errors and improper sentence structure can be a turn-off for readers, giving a poor impression of your writing. Traditionally, it is highly recommended to send a finished dissertation or article draft to a paid proofreader to polish the English, especially when the authors are non-native English speakers. However, current AI tools have become a more affordable alternative that can generate similar quality results if used correctly.

2. Not utilizing the academic lingo effectively

Academic writing necessitates the use of specialized words and sentence structures that may not be common in everyday language. For example, passive voice is typically preferred in scientific writing over active voice, as it emphasizes the action or result rather than the actor. Appropriate use of hedging, such as "it is likely that" or "suggests that," can also strengthen the presentation of claims.

3. No diversity in words and structure

Young researchers often fall into the trap of reusing the same words or sentence structures, resulting in dull and monotonous writing. For instance, in the literature review section, there is a tendency to repeatedly use the sentence format '...et al. reported that...' This lack of diversity can make the writing sound repetitive and unengaging. To prevent this, it is crucial to diversify your vocabulary and sentence structure, which will help to enhance the fluency and readability of your academic writing.

4. No funneling

Enhancing the flow of academic writing often involves a technique known as funneling. This approach begins with a broad statement and gradually narrows down to more specific points. For example, in the introduction section, initial points typically encompass definitions, types, advantages, and applications, followed by a discussion of prior research, problem statements, objectives, and scopes. This funneling structure helps readers easily follow the progression of the writing.

5. Did not fully utilize figures and tables

In certain cases, incorporating simple and visually appealing schematics or illustrations can significantly enhance the readers' understanding by replacing lengthy textual explanations. Presenting well-designed figures and tables not only summarizes complex data in a concise manner, but also facilitates effective visualization. This can convey your ideas and findings more clearly and engagingly to your target audience.

6. Mentioning positions of figures/tables

This may be a minor issue, but it should still be considered. Avoid mentioning the positions of figures or tables in the paragraph. Sentences such as '...as shown in Figure 3 below' and 'Table 4 above shows...' should be changed to '...as shown in Figure 3' and 'Table 4 shows...', respectively. As the overall structure of the dissertation or paper is dynamic, figures and tables may be repositioned to suit the layout. Mentioning the location of the figure or table could make the report appear awkward if it has been moved. The figure and table numberings should be sufficient for readers to connect the paragraph to the corresponding visual elements.

7. Did not use academic phrasebank

Many are unaware, but online academic phrasebanks can aid your writing when facing writer's block in structuring sentences. The University of Manchester's phrasebank (https://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/) offers abundant templates for any section of your dissertation or paper. Exploring this resource can greatly enhance your writing fluency.

With the current abundance of AI tools available to enhance your writing process, I have found that Jenni.ai can mitigate several of the pitfalls mentioned. Jenni.ai's 'AI command' function allows you to improve fluency by identifying sentences that need reworking. Additionally, the app enables you to easily paraphrase sentences, diversifying your vocabulary while maintaining an academic tone. Furthermore, Jenni.ai offers the flexibility to shorten or lengthen sentences with a simple click, and its 'cite as you write' function facilitates seamless citation addition, making it a highly appealing tool.