5 Practical strategies to transform your academic writing – for the best
Writing remains one of the cornerstones of academia. Whether it’s a report or a literature study during your studies, a scientific paper, a conference abstract, a thesis, or a grant proposal during your PhD and beyond – the written word carries our ideas into the world.
As you can imagine if you read this newsletter, I looove the idea that written words carry our ideas into the world – because I looove writing.
I think I started loving it since the moment I could write. Written assignments have always been my favorite at school and university, and later during my PhD.
But I know that I’m more an exception than the rule here!
Indeed, I noticed that written assignments are among the most challenging tasks for many students and PhD candidates. It’s not rare to see (PhD) students struggling with creating coherent structures, using appropriate terminology, and telling stories that are simultaneously interesting, scientific, and accurate.
It’s no surprise that many don’t enjoy writing given these challenges.
So, how can you approach writing assignments when you don’t enjoy writing or don’t know where to begin?
In today’s newsletter, I’ll share practical strategies to help you transform writing from a daunting task into a rewarding practice. Don’t worry – developing these skills doesn’t require extraordinary talent.
With the right approach, you might even start enjoying writing and look forward to your next assignment – just like I do!
6 strategies to develop your academic writing skills
#1 | Read strategically to improve your writing
Immerse yourself in scientific papers or grant proposals similar to your assignments. Pay attention to how messages are structured and conveyed – analyze the overall organization, paragraph construction, sentence patterns, and vocabulary choices. When I began writing articles as a PhD student, I identified articles I admired and followed similar structures – essentially adopting their writing style while developing my own scientific voice.
#2 | Make writing a regular practice
Commit to writing beyond your academic obligations – journal your thoughts, engage on social media, or craft mini-stories. These practices help reduce self-judgment around writing and make professional writing feel more natural. I’ve made daily journaling and regular social media posting part of my routine, which has significantly improved my writing skills and confidence.
#3 | Visualize before writing
When words feel elusive, try drawing your ideas or creating figures first. This approach stimulates creativity, helps clarify the message you want to convey, and provides structure for your thoughts. When working on manuscripts with my PhD students or collaborators, we often begin by creating figures that summarize results, then discuss the narrative we want to build around them.
#4 | Write in your native language if needed
Academia primarily operates in English, which isn’t the first language for most researchers. If translating your ideas directly into English is blocking your progress, draft in your mother tongue first. Many excellent free translation tools are available online. Review the English translation carefully to continue developing your language skills.
#5 | Leverage large language models (LLMs)
Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Le Chat can assist with idea generation, improving text structure, providing feedback, suggesting alternative wording, and explaining how to enhance your work. Experiment with prompts to discover what works for you, but always ensure you’re respecting your institution’s guidelines regarding LLM use.
#6 | Take advantage of academic writing courses
Universities offer writing courses for students, PhD candidates, and postdocs. These formal learning opportunities can significantly improve your academic writing capabilities.
📢 The Take-Home Message
💡Despite the growing importance of non-written science communication, academia continues to place high value on writing skills.
💡This means that developing your writing skills deserve as much attention as your research!
💡Regular practice is key to transforming writing from a challenge into a rewarding activity. even if you dislike it, there are ways to change this and make you become a better writer – and even start liking it!
Interested in receiving insights, tips and tools directly in your inbox? Sign up for the NextMinds Newsletter!
