Many factors are involved in creating a piece of academic writing. The degree to which academic words, academic structures and academic conventions are used will strongly influence the academic tone achieved in a text.

Academic writing is often described as dense, complex and abstract writing. The use of academic words, such as formal, technical and impersonal language as well as the use of academic structures such as nominalisation, extended nominal groups and the passive voice help to create this style of writing.

Academic writing is used to express arguments and opinions. Academic conventions govern how this achieved: opinion is presented in an objective and impersonal style and must be supported by reputable evidence that is integrated expertly into the structure of your overall argument. Moreover, this supporting evidence must be properly referenced.

It is important to realise that it is the interplay between the words, structures and conventions of academic writing, rather than the use of any one element, that will allow you to develop an effective piece of academic writing.