The Top Five Mistakes I See in Academic Writing

If I had a rand for every time I’ve seen these mistakes in an assignment, I could probably fund a small research grant. Academic writing is a craft — one that improves with practice, precision, and (yes) a good editor’s eye.

Here are the top five mistakes I see most often in the stages of editing — and how you can avoid them.

1. Writing like you speak

Academic writing isn’t a WhatsApp chat. The biggest red flag I see is overly conversational phrasing — “a lot of,” “basically,” “kind of,” and similar fillers that dilute your point.

Fix it: Replace informal language with precise, discipline-appropriate vocabulary. Instead of “a lot of research shows,” try “numerous studies demonstrate” or “empirical evidence suggests.”

Pro tip: Read your paragraph aloud. If it sounds like something you’d say to a friend, tighten it up.

2. Missing the golden thread

A strong argument should feel like a guided tour — not a treasure hunt. Too many essays jump between ideas without clear transitions or logical progression.

Fix it: Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence and make sure every point links back to your central argument. Your reader should never have to ask, “Why am I reading this?”

Pro tip: Write your thesis statement on a sticky note and keep it visible. Every paragraph should earn its place by connecting back to that statement.

3. Citing without understanding

Throwing in big names and long references doesn’t make your paper more impressive — it just makes it harder to read. The real skill lies in showing how sources support your argument, not in how many you can list.

Fix it: Paraphrase with purpose. Don’t just restate what the author said — explain why it matters in your context.

Pro tip: Try this formula: According to X (2022), Y occurs because Z. This supports my argument that… — it forces you to make the link explicit.

4. Forgetting your reader

Students often assume that their markers already know what they mean — but clarity beats assumption every time. Ambiguous phrasing, missing definitions, and unstructured sentences make your reader work too hard. Skipping this step in not good.

Fix it: Imagine your reader knows nothing about your topic. Define key terms early, avoid unexplained acronyms, and write with simplicity rather than trying to sound “academic.”

Pro tip: If you can’t explain your argument clearly to a classmate from another discipline, it’s not clear enough.

5. Neglecting the final polish

Formatting, referencing, and proofreading might feel like the “boring” bits — but they’re what separate a distinction from a pass. I often see brilliant ideas buried under inconsistent fonts, missing page numbers, or Harvard references gone rogue.

Fix it: Build in time for the final edit. Use your institution’s style guide and double-check every in-text citation against your reference list with professional academic editing.

Pro tip: Leave your draft overnight before proofreading. Fresh eyes catch tired mistakes.

Academic writing is less about perfection and more about precision. If you can write clearly, connect your ideas logically, and back them up with credible evidence, you’re already doing better than most.

And if you ever feel stuck, remember: even professional writers revise. Good writing isn’t written — it’s rewritten and recognising the signs that your content needs editing. Get in touch.