Academic Writing vs. Professional Writing: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between academic writing and professional writing is that academic writing is aimed at an academic or scholarly audience whereas professional writing targets a broader audience in a professional context.
Before we move to more differences, let’s first understand Academic Writing and Professional Writing:
- Academic Writing: Academic writing refers to the style of writing used in academic settings, such as universities, research institutions, and scholarly publications.
- Professional Writing: Professional writing is a broader term that encompasses various forms of writing used in professional contexts, such as business, industry, government, and organizations.
Now, let’s get to Academic Writing vs Professional Writing:
Major differences between Academic Writing and Professional Writing
| Academic Writing | Professional Writing |
|---|---|
| Academic writing focuses on generating new knowledge, conducting research, and contributing to the existing body of literature. | Professional writing emphasizes clear communication and practicality. |
| Academic writing requires extensive use of citations and references to support arguments and ideas. | Professional writing may or may not rely heavily on citations, depending on the context. |
| Academic writing often follows specific formatting and citation styles, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago. | Professional writing may adhere to industry-specific style guides or organizational standards. |
| Academic writing is characterized by a formal and objective tone, avoiding personal opinions or bias. | Professional writing may have a more varied tone, depending on the purpose and audience. |
| Academic writing is aimed at an academic or scholarly audience. | Professional writing targets a broader audience in a professional context. |
So, these are the main differences between the entities.
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