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Custom Papers: Getting Started with College-Level Academic Writing

By: Anthony Sanders

Custom papers – as colleges and universities welcome students into their halls, this academic requirement is the one that students dread the most. From the long hours that students have to spend in writing their essays to the tedious task of doing research for their term papers, the agony of tertiary education seems endless.

With students being widely exposed to casual and conversational language– in the internet, television, radios, and ads – they find the transition from informal to academic writing a trifle difficult. Thus, the challenge to write scholastic custom papers has become a tough mission.

To help in this dilemma, listed below are three guiding principles that students can adopt to improve their writing and shift to a more scholastic language:

- Use Formal Language

Formal Language is one of the chief characteristics of academic writing and an essential aspect in writing custom papers. Since colleges and universities requires a higher level of academic writing, it is best to keep the language formal.

Do not use colloquialisms or clichés. These words and phrases are outdated and make the custom paper sound informal, if not downright casual. Moreover, they make the document sound more like a diary or blog entry rather than a scholarly piece of work.

In addition, students should avoid the use of contractions in writing a custom paper. Most students tend to forget this cardinal rule: when it comes to academic writing, spell out everything. Use ‘do not’, instead of ‘don’t’; ‘would not’ instead of ‘wouldn’t’; ‘could not’ instead of ‘couldn’t.’ Further, ‘ain’t’ is a non-standard term in scholastic writing. It is advisable to use ‘is not’ or ‘are not’ instead.

With regard to abbreviations, state the full meaning of the term followed by its abbreviation in parenthesis, when using the said term for the first time. For instance, use National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) when using the term for the first time and from thereon, students can use the abbreviation NASA.

- Use the Third Person Perspective

Writing in the third person perspective means using the pronouns ‘he’,’ she’,’ it’ and ‘they’ and their variations in the document. It is the preferred point of view when writing custom papers, as well as business and technical reports as this style presents a more objective view of the topic. This writing approach connotes a sense of distance. It takes the focus away from the author and shifts it to the idea or concept.

- Be direct to the point and focus on the issues at hand

In custom papers, the author usually discusses issues, concepts, and ideologies. Thus, it is important that the focus of the paper remains on the issues and not the author’s opinion. Be direct in stating views and avoid wandering off to irrelevant issues. Make sure to state arguments that are pertinent and do not raise arguments that are immaterial.

No matter what course students take, at one point or another, they would have to deal with writing custom papers. Nobody is exempt from submitting this academic requirement, but these simple guidelines will definitely facilitate the shift from informal to formal language.

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