QUESTION NO 1

ACADEMIC WRITING
Academic writing refers to a style of expression that researchers use to define the
intellectual boundaries of their disciplines and specific areas of expertise.
Characteristics of academic writing include a formal tone, use of the third-person
rather than first-person perspective (usually), a clear focus on the research problem
under investigation, and precise word choice. Like specialist languages adopted in
other professions, such as, law or medicine, academic writing is designed to convey
agreed meaning about complex ideas or concepts for a group of scholarly experts.

1. Adaptability
This might seem obvious, but I see a lot of content that falls flat because the tone and
style don’t fit the purpose of the piece or the culture of the brand. For example, a
landing page should probably contain copy that is short and designed to persuade the
reader to take action. In contrast, a white paper will likely work best with more details
to explain a more complex issue.
Regarding tone, blog posts for a scientific equipment company targeting medical
researchers will likely be much different from posts for an organic food shop targeting
a wider range of health-conscious consumers. The more styles you can learn and the
more quickly you can adapt, the more valuable you’ll be as a content writer.
 
2. Strong Research Skills
Good research is key for good content writing – it adds credibility and, most
importantly, value. Therefore, it’s vital to find trustworthy and interesting information
from reliable sources online. Experts are especially great resources if you can
effectively get the right information with good interviewing skills.
 
3. A Solid Understanding of SEO
Great content writers stay on top of SEO trends – after all, even the best content won’t
be effective if readers can’t find it. It’s important to know how to craft SEO-friendly
titles and descriptions, use keywords effectively and keep up with Google’s latest
algorithm changes.
 
4. Organizational Skills
Organizing isn’t just about having a clean workspace; it’s about keeping on top of the
writing jobs you’ve taken on.
Keep a calendar and know your deadlines. Most smartphones even have programs that
will help you organize your time. Turning an assignment in late sends a bad message
to your customers and often won’t give the editors as much time to proof your article.
Prioritize your jobs, so you get them all done promptly.
 
5. The Ability to Get Focused
Writing requires focus which can sometimes be hard to find. When it’s time to work,
get rid of distractions and focus on one task at a time. Sometimes to get the ball
rolling, you can start with a few smaller, easy-to-complete tasks before launching into
your larger projects.
 
6. The Ability to Meet Deadlines
Your clients have deadlines they have to meet. Delivering high-quality content
promptly will show that you are not only professional but also reliable. This means
good time management is essential to help you realistically determine how many jobs
you can accept and reject and deliver it on time. If you find yourself struggling with
time management, check out these 14 writing and productivity hacks.
 
7. Communicate
If you have a question about an assignment, let the customer know. Writing is an area
of communication, so there are no excuses for not getting in touch with your client if
there is a problem. When you write to your client, treat it as an official
communication: proofread your message. Your customer will remember your
courtesy.
 
8. Editing, Editing, and More Editing

First drafts are rarely perfect. Editing skills require patience, discipline and a good eye
for detail. In addition to grammar, spelling, and punctuation, look out for redundant
points and overused words. And don’t be surprised if you spend more time editing
than writing.
 
9. Deliver Quality
Do your best to create quality unique content – make your articles engaging and
grammatically correct. Ideally, when customers need articles, you want them to think
of you as a superb writer that gets the job completed on time. If you want more clients
and higher-paying work, consistently delivering good writing will eventually get you
there.
 
10. Staying in Demand
You may be an excellent writer, but if you don’t stay up-to-date with the latest trends,
your job opportunities will be limited. Join writing and freelance communities,
improve your online profiles, be comfortable with cold emailing, leverage different
social platforms and market examples of your work.
Maintaining an active presence on a few social platforms will not only make you more
likely to get certain writing jobs, but you’ll also make valuable contacts. Clients are
always looking to boost their reach so if you can offer to share content with your
network; they will have an added incentive to hire you.