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Academic Writing Blog

Expert tips on writing, editing, and publishing your research.

Wooden letters spelling out the word Feedback surrounded by small peg figures on a white marble surface.

Getting peer reviewer comments can feel overwhelming — but how you respond can make or break your publication chances. This guide walks you through a proven strategy for writing a professional, persuasive response letter, complete with real examples and a ready-to-use template…

Academic Writing
How to Respond to Peer Reviewer Comments + Template
Lexico Editing · Oct 14, 2026
Scrabble tiles spelling out Improve Your Argument on a pink background

Some of the most common words in academic writing are also the most damaging. Discover why terms like "obviously" and "clearly" undermine your argument — and what to write instead…

Academic Writing
Words That Weaken Your Argument: Academic Red Flags
Lexico Editing · Oct 8, 2026
African American student annotating printed text at a desk with a tablet nearby, viewed from above

Many researchers mistake a literature review for a list of summaries — but true synthesis is what separates a strong review from a weak one. This guide explains the key differences between a literature review and an annotated bibliography, and shows you exactly how to make your review synthesise rather than merely describe…

Academic Writing
Literature Review vs Annotated Bibliography: How to Synthesise
Lexico Editing · Sep 29, 2026
This post decodes exactly what peer reviewers mean by this feedback and gives you a clear, actionable plan to fix language issues before you resubmit.

Receiving a comment that your paper's "language needs improvement" can feel vague and frustrating. This post decodes exactly what peer reviewers mean by this feedback and gives you a clear, actionable plan to fix language issues before you resubmit…

Hand reaching for a document on a desk beside a vintage typewriter and open book

Articles — a, an, and the — are among the smallest words in English, yet they cause some of the biggest headaches for academic writers. This guide explains the most common article errors in academic writing and shows you exactly how to fix them…

Academic Writing
Common Article Errors (a/an/the) in Academic English
Lexico Editing · Sep 24, 2026
Woman writing notes in a textbook, representing the process of crafting an academic abstract step by step.

Writing a concise yet comprehensive abstract in 250 words can feel daunting, but a sentence-by-sentence structure makes it manageable. This guide breaks down exactly what to include in each sentence so your abstract communicates your research clearly and professionally…

Academic Writing
How to Write an Abstract in 250 Words: A Step-by-Step Guide
Lexico Editing · Sep 24, 2026
15 Most Common Grammar Mistakes in Academic Writing

Even experienced researchers make recurring grammar mistakes that can undermine the credibility of their academic work. This guide identifies the 15 most common errors and shows you exactly how to fix them. Whether you're writing a thesis, journal article, or research paper, avoiding these pitfalls will sharpen your academic voice…

Academic Writing
15 Most Common Grammar Mistakes in Academic Writing
Lexico Editing · Sep 9, 2026
Synonym Swaps Are Not Paraphrasing: Avoid Plagiarism

Many students and researchers believe that replacing words with synonyms is enough to paraphrase a source — but this is one of the most common misconceptions in academic writing. True paraphrasing requires restructuring ideas, not just swapping vocabulary. This post explains how to genuinely paraphrase and protect your academic integrity…

Academic Writing
Synonym Swaps Are Not Paraphrasing: Avoid Plagiarism
Lexico Editing · Aug 10, 2026
The Native Tone Gap: Common ESL Academic Writing Mistakes

ESL academic writers often struggle with subtle tone and register issues that go beyond grammar. Discover the most common pitfalls that create a 'native tone gap' and learn practical strategies to close it. From overly formal phrasing to hedging errors, this guide covers what matters most…

Academic Writing
The Native Tone Gap: Common ESL Academic Writing Mistakes
Lexico Editing · Aug 10, 2026
Is Your Thesis Ready for Defense? A Language Checklist

Before you stand in front of your committee, your thesis needs to be more than just complete — it needs to be linguistically polished and professionally presented. This language readiness checklist will help you identify critical issues before your defense day. Use it to ensure your hard work is communicated as clearly and credibly as it deserves…

Academic Writing
Is Your Thesis Ready for Defense? A Language Checklist
Lexico Editing · Aug 5, 2026
Desk Rejection by Formatting: Don't Let It Kill Your Research

Your research may be groundbreaking, but poor formatting can get your manuscript rejected before a single reviewer reads it. Learn how to avoid the silent killer of good academic work and give your paper the professional presentation it deserves…

Academic Writing
Desk Rejection by Formatting: Don't Let It Kill Your Research
Lexico Editing · Aug 4, 2026
5 Reasons Journals Reject Papers for 'Language'

A 'language quality' rejection can be one of the most frustrating outcomes for researchers who have invested months into their study. Understanding exactly why journals reject manuscripts for language issues — and how to prevent them — can dramatically improve your chances of acceptance. Here are the five most common culprits…

Academic Writing
5 Reasons Journals Reject Papers for 'Language'
Lexico Editing · Aug 2, 2026

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