Top 10 Academic Writing Style Tips for Your Thesis

Writing a thesis isn’t just about presenting great research—it’s also about presenting it well. Even the most compelling findings can be undermined by poor academic style. Clunky phrasing, inconsistent tone, and informal language can confuse your reader and weaken your credibility.

Academic writing requires clarity, formality, and precision. It’s not about sounding complicated or “academic for the sake of it”—it’s about communicating your ideas in a way that’s professional, persuasive, and appropriate for scholarly work.

In this article, we’ll walk you through 10 practical style tips that will sharpen your academic voice and help you write a thesis that’s not just well-researched, but well-written too.

Academic writing style tips for your thesis

Tip 1: Be Clear and Concise

Academic writing is about precision, not word count. Don’t confuse complexity with quality. Your ideas should be expressed as clearly and efficiently as possible—without extra words, vague phrasing, or unnecessary repetition.

Bad Example:

Due to the fact that the results of the study indicate a number of significant patterns, it is therefore suggested that further analysis may be required.

Better Version:

The results reveal significant patterns, suggesting that further analysis is needed.

Why it matters:
Examiners and readers want to understand your argument without deciphering it. Every word should serve a purpose.

Tip 2: Use Formal, Objective Language

Academic writing should sound measured, professional, and neutral. Avoid casual expressions, overly emotional language, or anything that feels like personal opinion unless you are explicitly allowed to write in the first person.

Your tone should reflect objectivity, even when discussing something you’re passionate about.

Bad Example:

I was shocked by how bad the results were—it really proves that people just don’t care about this issue.

Better Version:

The results indicate low engagement with the issue, suggesting a lack of public concern.

Why it matters:
Your thesis should present evidence, not emotion. Even strong conclusions need to be presented in a balanced, objective tone. Avoid phrases like “obviously,” “clearly,” or “everyone knows,” which assume agreement and suggest bias.

Watch out for:

Overly casual phrases: “a bunch of,” “tons of,” “kind of,” “really big”
Emotional language: “terrible,” “amazing,” “unbelievable”
Absolutes: “always,” “never,” “everyone,” “nobody”

🎓 Use verbs like suggests, indicates, demonstrates, and implies to maintain a scholarly tone. See our guide to What Is Signposting Language? (And Why It’s Essential in Academic Writing) for more assistance.

Tip 3: Avoid First-Person (Unless Permitted)

In many academic disciplines, especially in the sciences and social sciences, the first person (“I,” “we”) is discouraged in formal writing. That’s because academic style prioritises objectivity over personal perspective. Using first-person pronouns can make your work sound subjective—even when it isn’t.

That said, some universities or fields (especially in the humanities or practice-based disciplines) allow or even encourage first-person in certain sections (like methodology or reflections).

Bad Example (Overly personal):

In my opinion, I believe the experiment went well and I think the results were meaningful.

Better Version (Objective):

The experiment yielded consistent results, indicating a meaningful trend.

When is it acceptable?

In a methodology chapter:

I conducted interviews with 15 participants… (If your department allows it.)

When justifying your research choices:

In this study, I chose a qualitative approach…

In reflective or autoethnographic work:

First-person may be essential in these genres.

📘 Tip: Always check your university’s style guide or ask your supervisor before using first person in your thesis. See Can I Use First Person in my Thesis? for more insights.

Use Cautious Language (“Hedging”)

In academic writing, it’s important to sound confident—but not absolute. Unless your findings are undeniably conclusive, avoid sweeping generalisations or claims that leave no room for uncertainty. This technique is called hedging, and it shows academic humility and awareness of complexity.

Hedging means using cautious, measured language to reflect that your conclusions are based on evidence, but may not be universally applicable.

Bad Example (Overconfident):

This study proves that social media causes anxiety in teenagers.

Better Version (Hedged):

The findings suggest that social media use may be associated with increased anxiety in teenagers.

Common Hedging Words & Phrases:

may, might, could
appears to, seems to, is likely to
suggests that, indicates that, is associated with
to some extent, in certain contexts, based on the data

Why it matters:
Hedging shows that you understand the limitations of your research and are not overstating your findings. Examiners value accuracy and critical thinking more than bold, unfounded claims.

🎓 Strong academic writing is confident and careful.

🎯 Want an expert eye to perfect your writing style? Our experienced editors are here to help. Explore Vappingo’s professional Thesis Proofreading Services and submit your thesis with

Tip 5: Stay Focused and Organised

Academic writing isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how clearly and logically you say it. A well-organised thesis leads your reader through your argument step by step. Every paragraph should have a purpose, and every section should contribute directly to your research aim.

Structure within paragraphs:

Use the PEEL model to build strong paragraphs:

Point – Start with a clear topic sentence
Evidence – Support your point with research or data
Explain – Interpret the evidence
Link – Connect back to your argument or transition to the next point

Bad Example (Unfocused paragraph):

Social media is important. People use it a lot. It can be good or bad depending on how it’s used. Studies show different things.

Better Version (Structured paragraph):

Social media usage is a significant variable in adolescent behaviour. Research by Lee (2020) found a correlation between screen time and reduced academic performance. This suggests that excessive use may interfere with concentration and study habits, potentially impacting long-term achievement.

📘 See How to Use the PEEL Model in Your Thesis for more insights.

Transitions and Signposting

Use phrases like:

“This chapter examines…”
“In contrast to previous studies…”
“The following section outlines…”

These help readers follow your line of reasoning and know what to expect.

Why it matters:
A focused, well-organised thesis isn’t just easier to read—it shows your examiner that you can structure a complex argument with clarity and academic rigour.

📘 Related: Writing a Thesis: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tip 6: Avoid Colloquialisms and Slang

Your thesis is a formal academic document, and your language should reflect that. Avoid using informal expressions, slang, idioms, or conversational phrases, even if they sound natural or engaging. Such language reduces the professional and scholarly tone you’re aiming for.

Bad Example (informal):

The results were a mixed bag—some participants were really into it, others not so much.

Better Version (formal and academic):

The results were varied; while some participants expressed strong interest, others showed limited engagement.

Common Informal Expressions to Avoid:

“a lot of,” “tons of,” “pretty much”
“kind of,” “sort of”
“mixed bag,” “spot on,” “hit or miss”
idioms like “break the ice,” “on the same page,” or “the bottom line”

Replace Informal Terms With:

“considerable,” “numerous,” “substantial” instead of “a lot of”
“somewhat,” “to some extent,” “partially” instead of “kind of”
“varied results,” “inconsistent findings” instead of “mixed bag”

Why it matters:
Your examiner expects a professional, scholarly voice. Using formal language shows respect for your reader and signals that you understand academic conventions. See Phrases and words You Should Never Use in an Essay for more help.

Tip 7: Use Transition Words and Signposting

Transition words and signposting phrases are the roadmap of your thesis—they help your reader navigate your argument smoothly, understand how ideas connect, and keep track of your overall logic.

Effective signposting ensures that your reader never feels lost or uncertain about how one point relates to the next.

Examples of Useful Transition Words:

To introduce a point:
“First,” “Firstly,” “Initially,” “To begin with…”
To show contrast:
“However,” “In contrast,” “Conversely,” “Nevertheless…”
To show similarity:
“Similarly,” “Likewise,” “In the same way…”
To conclude or summarise:
“In summary,” “In conclusion,” “Overall…”
To illustrate examples:
“For example,” “For instance,” “Specifically…”

Signposting Phrases Within Sections:

These phrases orient readers and clearly define structure:

“This chapter examines…”
“The following section explores…”
“Having reviewed X, this thesis will now consider Y…”

Bad Example (lacking transitions):

Students often use social media excessively. It can affect their grades negatively. Many students report lower concentration.

Better Version (with clear transitions):

Excessive social media usage among students has been widely documented. However, less attention has been paid to its impact on academic performance. For example, recent studies indicate that heavy usage may lead to reduced concentration, thereby negatively influencing grades.

Why it matters:
Using transitions and signposting makes your thesis clearer, more persuasive, and easier to follow—ultimately strengthening your argument.

Tip 8: Be Consistent with Terminology and Tense

Consistency in language, terminology, and verb tense is crucial for clear academic writing. It prevents confusion, shows professionalism, and helps readers follow your arguments and ideas effortlessly.

Consistent Terminology

When referring to key concepts or variables, choose one term and stick with it throughout your thesis.

Bad Example (inconsistent terminology):

Participants’ usage of social media varied significantly. This digital interaction, online behaviour, and social networking activity was linked to sleep disruption.

Better Version (consistent terminology):

Participants’ social media usage varied significantly. Increased social media usage was consistently linked to sleep disruption.

Tip:
Define your key terms clearly the first time you introduce them, and avoid synonyms that could confuse your reader.

Consistent Verb Tense

Verb tense consistency is also essential, especially within each chapter. The following conventions usually apply:

Introduction, literature review, and discussion: Use the present tense (e.g., “This study examines…”; “The results suggest…”).
Methodology and results: Typically use the past tense (e.g., “Participants completed a survey…”; “Results indicated…”).

Bad Example (tense confusion):

This study examines sleep habits. Participants complete a survey. The results indicated poor sleep.”

Better Version (consistent tense):

This study examines sleep habits. Participants completed a survey, and results indicated poor sleep.”

Tip 9: Support Every Claim with Evidence

In academic writing, every claim you make should be backed by clear and credible evidence. Your readers (and examiners!) expect you to support your ideas, arguments, and conclusions with references to reliable sources, data, or findings.

What Counts as Good Evidence?

Peer-reviewed journal articles
Credible academic books
Statistical data from reputable sources
Primary research data (your own results)
Official reports or academic studies

Example of Claim + Evidence:

Bad Example (unsupported claim):

Students use social media too much, which negatively affects their academic performance.

Better Version (claim supported by evidence):

Research by Johnson (2021) found a correlation between excessive social media use and lower academic performance among undergraduate students.

Effective Ways to Introduce Evidence:

“According to [Author] (Year)…”
“Research by [Author] suggests…”
“Findings from [Study] indicate…”
“Statistical evidence from [Source] shows…”

Why it matters:
Claims without evidence are simply opinions. Strong academic writing clearly shows the connection between your ideas and existing research, building credibility and trust. Consistency strengthens your credibility and makes your thesis easier to read and understand.

Proofread for Style, Not Just Typos

Most students understand the importance of proofreading to catch grammar mistakes and typos. However, thesis proofreading should also focus on style and readability. Even grammatically correct sentences can be awkward, unclear, or overly complicated.

When you proofread, pay attention to:

Clarity: Is each sentence easy to understand on first reading?
Conciseness: Can anything be simplified or shortened?
Consistency: Are your tone, terminology, and tense consistent?
Flow: Do paragraphs transition smoothly, guiding your reader clearly?

Example of Style-Focused Proofreading:

Original sentence (grammatically correct but awkward):

The indication of the study’s findings was that an association existed between the utilisation of social media and the presence of disrupted sleep.”

Improved for style (clear and concise):

The study found an association between social media use and disrupted sleep.”

✏️ Quick Tips for Style Proofreading:

Read sentences aloud to identify awkward phrasing.
Use active voice wherever possible.
Replace overly complex words with simpler, clearer alternatives.
Ask a peer (or professional editor!) to review your thesis for readability.

Why it matters:
A thesis that reads smoothly, clearly, and professionally leaves a strong impression on examiners. It demonstrates your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively—a key skill in academia and beyond.

Writing your thesis is not just about presenting solid research—it’s also about communicating your ideas clearly, professionally, and effectively. Academic writing style plays a crucial role in shaping your reader’s experience and demonstrating your scholarly credibility.

By following these 10 academic style tips—such as being concise, using formal and cautious language, maintaining consistency, and carefully proofreading—you’ll produce a thesis that not only meets academic expectations but exceeds them.

Remember, your thesis is a reflection of your skills as a researcher and a writer. Taking the extra time to polish your style can significantly impact the clarity and professionalism of your final submission.