Articles in category: Academic Writing

How to Write a Research Paper Introduction in 4 Steps

Published on July 2, 2024 by Hannah Skaggs Revised on May 22, 2025

Having a hard time learning how to write a research paper introduction? Follow these four steps:

1. Draw readers in.
2. Zoom in on your topic and its importance.
3. Explain how you’ll add new knowledge.
4. Tell readers what they’ll find in your paper.

To understand why a great introduction matters, imagine a friend inviting you to lunch with another friend of hers. You show up at the restaurant and find them waiting for you at the table. You sit down, and her friend says, “So I wanna tell you about my major goal in life.”

Pretty awkward, right? You don’t even know this guy’s name yet, and he’s already diving into the heavy stuff. You’d probably prefer to have your friend introduce him, then spend some time learning about his background and personality before you get into deeper conversation.

Research paper readers need this kind of warmup, too. A good introduction, or intro, lives up to its name—it introduces readers to the topic. It prepares them to care about and understand your research, and it’s more convincing.

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What Is Academic Writing? Definition, Types, and Features

Published on July 2, 2024 by Paige Pfeifer, BA Revised on April 18, 2025

Academic writing is a writing style used by and for people in academic settings.

This type of writing targets readers who attend or work in schools, colleges, universities, and research institutions, such as students, professors, and researchers.

Academic writing is one of the first skills that a student learns after starting school. From elementary through postgraduate school and in academic careers, writing is the major mode of communication. Its goal is to present ideas clearly so that others can learn from and build on them.

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What Is a Research Paper Appendix?

Published on July 2, 2024 by Hannah Skaggs Revised on December 30, 2024

An appendix is a section added to the end of a research paper to give readers extra information. Appendices are labeled with numbers or letters and are often a good place to include data that might be distracting in the main text.

The word appendix comes from the root word append, a verb meaning “to attach or add.” Humans also have a body part we call an appendix, which has a reputation for being a useless extra. Although we can live without it, that body part has a function—and a research paper appendix is the same way. It may not be essential to the paper, but it’s good to have.

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How to Write a Research Paper Conclusion in 3 Steps

Published on July 2, 2024 by Hannah Skaggs Revised on May 22, 2025

A conclusion for a research paper summarizes your key points and the value of your research. To write a good one:

1. Review your thesis statement and research problem
2. Summarize your findings or argument
3. Look toward the future

You’ve completed your research and written your literature review and other sections. Now it’s time to write the conclusion, your last chance to make an impression on your audience. Read on for a step-by-step guide showing how to conclude a research paper and what not to do.

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3 Types of Common Writing Mistakes: Academic Writing

Published on July 2, 2024 by Hannah Skaggs Revised on March 20, 2025

When we’re writing for school or university, many of our most common writing errors relate to grammar and punctuation, content, or citations.

Writing well is hard. There’s a lot to keep track of, especially if your academic writing experience has been only basic or if you’re following a style guide you’ve never used before.

While we can’t cover all of them in this article, we’ll discuss some of the most common mistakes to avoid. By eliminating these, you can make great progress on your journey toward excellent academic writing.

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How to Write a Literature Review in 6 Steps

Published on July 2, 2024 by Paige Pfeifer, BA Revised on February 11, 2025

The usual purpose of a literature review is to show a gap in existing research or to show a field’s overall view of a topic.

A “literature review” is a summary of what previous studies have demonstrated or argued about a topic. It may stand on its own as the focus of a paper, with just an introduction and conclusion summarizing the relevant literature, or it may be part of a more extensive research paper, such as a journal article, research proposal, thesis, or dissertation. Here are a couple of literature review examples:

Standalone literature review: What Is Corruption?: A History of Corruption Studies and the Great Definitions Debate

Literature review as part of a longer paper: Seagrass Mapping and Monitoring Along the Coasts of Crete, Greece

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3 Types of Words and Phrases to Avoid in Academic Writing

Published on July 2, 2024 by Hannah Skaggs Revised on December 11, 2024

What are the top words to avoid in academic writing? To communicate credibly, clearly, and concisely, replace words and phrases that are too casual, too ambiguous, or too verbose.

Unlike some other types of writing, academic writing comes with certain restrictions because it’s meant to accomplish specific goals. Academic writers aim to share information and make arguments in a way that other scholars will clearly understand.

Using the wrong words is one of the most common academic writing mistakes. To achieve the goals above, choose words and phrases that help readers take your writing seriously, understand your meaning, and stay with you until the end.

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Creative Writing vs Academic Writing

Published on July 2, 2024 by Paige Pfeifer, BA Revised on February 28, 2025

The main difference between creative writing vs academic writing is that writers are free to express themselves however they want when writing creatively, while academic writing provides a set of constraints the writer must stay within.

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How to Write a Research Question

Published on June 26, 2024 by Hannah Skaggs Revised on March 6, 2025

A research question is a question that establishes what you aim to learn by conducting your research. It asks for information that is missing or the solution to a problem, which many papers describe in a problem statement.

The purpose of a research question is to give your research proposal or paper a sharp focus. It helps both you and your readers stay locked onto the knowledge you’re trying to gain or the problem you’re trying to solve. In a sense, writing a research question is like setting a goal and posting it prominently on your wall.

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How to Write a Research Proposal | A Guide for Students

Published on June 22, 2024 by Paige Pfeifer, BA Revised on January 13, 2025

A research proposal is a short piece of academic writing that outlines the research a graduate student intends to carry out. It starts by explaining why the research will be helpful or necessary, then describes the steps of the potential research and how the research project would add further knowledge to the field of study. A student submits this as part of the application process for a graduate degree program.

If you’re thinking of pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree, you may need to learn more about how to write a research proposal that will get you into your desired program.

QuillBot is here to help—first, let’s look at why you might write a research proposal. Then we’ll cover the parts it should include, how long it should be, and the tools that can help you write a great one.

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