First, you should realize how far you’ve come that you’re now considering doing academic writing in a second language. It means you’ve made it to your school overseas and are taking the extra challenge of doing it in a different language.
Don’t think of it as a challenge, but more of an opportunity to become a master in this secondary language. Writing academically is one of the highest forms of writing with a high level of sophistication. That means you’ll be able to understand more than just the fundamentals of a language but also how to use it like an expert.
It’s also important, as a multilingual student, that you are sharing your own perspective and experiences on the matter. This itself is an important aspect of academics and writing from the beginning, as you’re able to lend this mindset to others. So, we’ll take a look at some tips to turn your academic writing from good to great.
Get your Grammar in order
First, you want to ensure that your grammar and vocabulary are constantly being developed. Academic writing is going to put your knowledge to the test, so you’ll want to practice the second language continuously. For this there are plenty of platforms out there that can help you expand your academic words and phrases.
They can also even connect you with online tutors to speak to native speakers in some cases and understand the nuances of the language.
Constantly read
You will need to do a bit of research and start reading a lot in the second language. Not just online articles too but novels, books, and other academic papers. This time, you’re not just reading for understanding but also to look at these authors’ writing styles. You’re trying to see what makes it effective and how you can apply that type of writing to your academic papers. You want to read whatever you can get a hold of, which will also help you with your language learning.
Don’t be afraid of feedback
Sometimes, we write something or put a lot of effort into our work, and the last thing we want is for someone to criticize or call out a mistake in it. They seem to have no problem making a blunt remark about it when you spent so much time on it which is annoying. But don’t let that get to you; it’s meant to help you and quickly so you can learn and move on.
Have a native speaker of the language give their review on it and provide feedback. See what they say, how it flows, and what your grammar usage is, and you’ll get some of the best tips and tricks from them. Remember, you’ve already brought down the core draft of the paper, so this is all about working to refine it further. Making sure you apply these finishing touches can make all the difference.
Use the right tools
First of all, always have a thesaurus with you. It’ll be the best thing to assist you in varying your vocabulary words, and you won’t have to hunt down a word that feels as if it’s on the tip of your tongue. A thesaurus will help you find words that are common to you and provide you with enrichment. However, be careful not to use it too much, as you may misinterpret a complex term that may work against you.
Also, pay attention to your writing style. Mix up your sentence structures, and try your best not to write in monotonous prose. While academic writing is a much more stringent form of writing, you can still do a lot to keep it interesting and engaging.
Also, before you hand it out to anyone, whether a native speaker to review it or to hand it in for a final review, make sure to proofread it. Your online word processor will typically have spell check with it, and there are other tools online to help with syntax and grammar. Use those tools if they are available in the second language you are writing the academic paper in.
Understand what type of academic paper you’re writing
This means that there are different expectations based on the subject or discipline the academic essay is for. Scientific-based articles are written differently than literature-based papers. That’s why it’s also key to find a style guide appropriate for the type of academic paper you’re going to write.
From there, you’re going to need to learn how to cite your sources and cite them correctly. Suppose there are any references or citations; an academic paper will have to make a note of it somewhere. Based on your style guide, that is acceptable; there are different ways to cite sources. Make sure you don’t deviate and accidentally end up using other formats for the same academic paper.
Seek Help
You’re probably not the only one who needs to write an academic paper in your second language. So you can find others who are in the same situation and work together. They can be there to do an initial review before your first draft is done, and you can also help them with their papers. It’s a great way not only to meet people but also to continuously refine your usage of the second language.
In the end
Remember that this is an educational component and that with time and consistent practice and feedback, you will be able to master this. You can even let professors know that you may be struggling in the beginning, and they will more often than not help you out by checking out some earlier drafts beforehand to give you enough time to refine your academic paper before it’s due.
You’ll learn something new with each passing paper, and your next essay will only improve. Don’t forget to follow the tips above, and before you know it, that second language is going to seem as if it’s your primary language!