Skip to content

Welcome to Kent Institute Australia's Website

How to Apply
  • Contact
    • Enquiries
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Complaints and Appeals
  • Login / Kent Documents
    • Staff
    • Student
    • Public Documents
    • Agents
  • Contact
    • Enquiries
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Complaints and Appeals
  • Login / Kent Documents
    • Staff
    • Student
    • Public Documents
    • Agents
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Focus
    • Accreditation
    • Our Leadership Team
      • Governing Board
      • Kent’s Academic Board
  • Courses
    • Higher Education Courses
      • Bachelor of Accounting
      • Bachelor of Business
      • Bachelor of Information Technology
    • Vocational (VET) Courses
      • Aged Care Courses
      • Business Courses
      • Information Technology Courses
  • Life at Kent
    • Studying in Australia
    • Campuses
    • Library
    • Student Support
    • Orientation
    • Student Representative Group
    • Our Students
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Useful Links
    • Graduation Ceremony
    • My Career Hub
  • Applying
    • Download Course Guide
    • How to Apply
    • Important Dates
    • Admission Criteria
    • Policies and Procedures
    • Course Credit / Recognition of Prior Learning
    • International Students
    • Fees
    • How to Pay
    • FEE-HELP (Higher Education)
    • HECS-HELP (Higher Education)
    • Scholarships and Bursaries
    • Agent List
  • Kent Connect
    • News
    • Blog
    • Events Calendar
    • Alumni
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Focus
    • Accreditation
    • Our Leadership Team
      • Governing Board
      • Kent’s Academic Board
  • Courses
    • Higher Education Courses
      • Bachelor of Accounting
      • Bachelor of Business
      • Bachelor of Information Technology
    • Vocational (VET) Courses
      • Aged Care Courses
      • Business Courses
      • Information Technology Courses
  • Life at Kent
    • Studying in Australia
    • Campuses
    • Library
    • Student Support
    • Orientation
    • Student Representative Group
    • Our Students
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Useful Links
    • Graduation Ceremony
    • My Career Hub
  • Applying
    • Download Course Guide
    • How to Apply
    • Important Dates
    • Admission Criteria
    • Policies and Procedures
    • Course Credit / Recognition of Prior Learning
    • International Students
    • Fees
    • How to Pay
    • FEE-HELP (Higher Education)
    • HECS-HELP (Higher Education)
    • Scholarships and Bursaries
    • Agent List
  • Kent Connect
    • News
    • Blog
    • Events Calendar
    • Alumni

SEARCH

  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Focus
    • Accreditation
    • Our Leadship Team
      • Governing Board
      • Kent’s Academic Board
  • Courses
    • Higher Education Courses
      • Bachelor of Accounting
      • Bachelor of Business
      • Bachelor of Information Technology
    • Vocational (VET) Courses
      • Aged Care Courses
      • Business Courses
      • Information Technology Courses
  • Life At Kent
    • Studying in Australia
    • Campuses
    • Kent Libraries
    • Student Support
    • Orientation
    • Student Representative Group (SRG)
    • Our Students
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Useful Links
    • Graduation Ceremony
    • My Career Hub
  • Applying
    • Download Course Guide
    • How to Apply
    • Important Dates
    • Admission Criteria
    • Public Documents
    • Course Credit / Recognition of Prior Learning
    • International Students
    • Fees
    • How to Pay
    • FEE-HELP
    • HECS-HELP
    • Scholarships and Bursaries
    • Agent List
  • Kent Connect
    • News
    • Blog
    • Events Calendar
    • Alumni
  • Contact
    • General Enquiries
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Complaints and Appeals
  • Login/Kent Documents
    • Staff
    • Students
    • Public Documents
    • Agents
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Story
    • Our Focus
    • Accreditation
    • Our Leadship Team
      • Governing Board
      • Kent’s Academic Board
  • Courses
    • Higher Education Courses
      • Bachelor of Accounting
      • Bachelor of Business
      • Bachelor of Information Technology
    • Vocational (VET) Courses
      • Aged Care Courses
      • Business Courses
      • Information Technology Courses
  • Life At Kent
    • Studying in Australia
    • Campuses
    • Kent Libraries
    • Student Support
    • Orientation
    • Student Representative Group (SRG)
    • Our Students
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Useful Links
    • Graduation Ceremony
    • My Career Hub
  • Applying
    • Download Course Guide
    • How to Apply
    • Important Dates
    • Admission Criteria
    • Public Documents
    • Course Credit / Recognition of Prior Learning
    • International Students
    • Fees
    • How to Pay
    • FEE-HELP
    • HECS-HELP
    • Scholarships and Bursaries
    • Agent List
  • Kent Connect
    • News
    • Blog
    • Events Calendar
    • Alumni
  • Contact
    • General Enquiries
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Complaints and Appeals
  • Login/Kent Documents
    • Staff
    • Students
    • Public Documents
    • Agents

Mistakes in Academic Writing

September 8, 2016

Five Common Student Mistakes in Academic Writing

All written assignments contain different assessment criteria. Essays, for example, require students to develop an evidence-based argument. Alternatively, reports require students to provide recommendations on a particular research topic. Even reflective journals—which are often more personal—ask students to analyse their learning experience in a structured format. Despite these differences, students regularly make similar mistakes when completing any form of written assignment. This blog entry discusses five of the most common mistakes that students make in academic writing.

  • Using Informal Language

Academic writing is formal and uses specific terminology for each discipline. Students should recognise these characteristics and avoid writing in a tone that is too conversational or similar to what might be said in everyday life. Words and phrases to avoid include “nowadays”, “etc.”, “and so on”, “stuff” and “things”.

  • Personal Pronouns

With the exception of assignments that ask for personal reflection, academic writing must be objective, evidence-based and highly analytical. In this way, ideas and research should inform the arguments and conclusions reached rather than drawing upon personal opinion. Words such as “I” and “we” generally do not belong in assignments.

  • Long Sentences

Sentences that are longer than 4 lines become quite difficult to understand. As a general rule, it is best to keep sentences short and to the point. Aim for sentences that are no longer than three lines or 30-40 words.

  • Unstructured Paragraphs

Almost all academic writing must be structured into full-length paragraphs. This gives the author enough space to develop an argument or analyse a particular issue. Paragraphs should focus on only one main point. They should contain a topic sentence, further explanation or analysis, and provide supporting evidence based on individual research. In each paragraph, it is also common to establish a link to the main purpose of the assignment. A good paragraph length is usually between 150-250 words.

  • Incorrect Referencing

Correct referencing is an essential element of all research-based assignments. Referencing quality academic sources makes written work more authoritative, and it also helps avoid plagiarism by ensuring that other people’s ideas are acknowledged. When referencing, it is important to follow the style guidelines carefully and remain consistent throughout your assignment. Kent uses the Harvard style of referencing and there are comprehensive student guides available on the Academic Learning Support page on Moodle.

Andrew Kelly
Academic Learning Support Coordinator at Kent Institute Australia

Workplace
PrevPreviousJob Interview Preparation Guide
NextTop 5 Tips for Improving your English; While you Study!Next

Popular Posts

Why study Aged Care in Australia

High demand IT jobs in Australia

living costs in australia for students

A complete guide to living costs in Australia for students

How to start a career in accounting

Fun things to do on Easter in Australia

Categories

Categories
  • Events
  • Kent Insights
  • Kent's Alumni
  • Lifestyle
  • Workplace

Tags

Tags
#kent #studentsupport #studenthelp Community Service Covid-19 information technology International Student Kent insights Kent Institute Australia Meal4Mates Student Support Volunteering

Search

Search

We acknowledge and pay respects to the Elders and Traditional Owners of the land on which our two campuses stand.

Sydney Campus

  • +61 2 9093 5151
  • Level 11, 10 Barrack Street
    Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
  • info@kent.edu.au
Facebook-square Instagram Twitter Linkedin-in Youtube

Melbourne Campus

  • +61 3 8353 0800
  • Level 10, 350 Queen Street
    Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
  • info@kent.edu.au

Legal Information

  • Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd
  • CRICOS Code - 00161E
  • TEQSA Provider No. - PRV12051
  • RTO Code - 90458
  • ABN - 49 003 577 302

Copyright © 2025 Kent Institute Australia Pty Ltd. Website by iOnline.

Facebook-square Instagram Twitter Linkedin-in Youtube
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and conditions
  • Policies
  • Financial Standing
  • Complaints and Appeals
  • Course Mappings