Difference between Academic and Creative Writing

Creative writing is different from academic writing. Writing for websites is different from writing for newspaper columns. Journal entries are different from writing press releases on behalf of a brand. Writing purposes do vary. It's important that when undertaking any writing you have a firm grasp on this concept.

Let's look at the fundamental differences between academic and creative writing.

The Principal Difference

Style is the chief difference between academic and creative writing. Creative writing need not adhere to any specific style parameters. Academic writing is different. Academic writing needs to be structured and executed adhering to a series of guidelines. Indeed, so stringent are these guidelines that academic institutions include these guidelines as part of their curriculum.

Style Guidelines Outlined

These documents or manuals outline the rules and standards needed for the successful execution of any written exercise. A quick Google search and you'll find web pages dedicated to clearly communicating the guidelines of academic writing. However, many institutions have their own stylistic guidelines.

Common Style Guide Conventions vs. Informal Writing

Here is a look at some of the differences between informal writing and conventional, academic writing.

Contractions – generally speaking contractions are acceptable in academic writing, though overuse will dilute the integrity of the writing. Studying academic writing you'll see that the writer makes use of contractions to get points across.

Technical terminology –when writing for academic purposes it's important that you always bear the audience in mind. If you're writing for a niche market alone the audience will understand any jargon that may be lost on the layman. Take out technical terminology altogether if writing for a diverse audience.

Reference appropriately – good academic writing includes references for any information used to support your argument. These need to be referenced appropriately.

Colloquial expressions and clichés – creative writing, especially dialogue, will have expressions that are unique to that character. However, these should not be used in academic writing. For example, it's unwise to describe Noam Chomsky's contribution to linguistics as ‘awesome.'

These are just a few tips for anyone considering how to cater to their writing for academic or creative purposes. Follow these are you will give yourself the best possible chance of executing a well-crafted piece of work, no matter the purpose.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CREATIVE AND ACADEMIC WRITING

In personal, reflective, or creative writing, there are far fewer rules since it is.. well. personal and creative!  In this kind of writing, one can tell a story,  summarize their experiences, or express their opinions, ideas, or emotions.  Their writing can be entirely fictional, requiring minimal factual evidence or support.  However, writers may still want to include support for their assertions, especially if their personal writing is supposed to be persuasive or deliver an opinion.  Writers may support their claims with personal experiences and information that they have heard, even if they aren’t entirely sure where from.  Their evidence doesn’t have to include the page number of the specific text it is found in like academic writing does.  This is simply because it is writing for the purpose of only the writer’s intentions.  It doesn’t need to satisfy requirements or match the grading of a rubric. Academic or scholarly writing on the other hand is a little more standardized.  One's writing must be much more organized and formatted, and the evidence used as support for their assertions must come from concrete sources.  The sources should be properly cited both in text and in a works cited page.  In academic writing, the writer needs to prove to the reader that what is being said is factual and correct.  Ideas need to be explained, and any inferences or deductions based on textual evidence or data must include support.  Contrary to creative writing, one cannot simply ponder about an idea and ask questions.  In academic writing, questions must be answered.

Another difference between academic writing and creative or personal writing is the presence of pressure due to time restraints.  In timed essays, ones writing situation may greatly change.  There is no time to brainstorm or procrastinate, so being able to organize ideas quickly is essential.  Also, far greater preparation before beginning the paper is required.  The writer does not have the luxury of aimlessly searching through sources for evidence.  The subject of the timed essay must be understood thoroughly, prior to the beginning of the timed writing.

Overall, creative writing allows for more personal expression whereas academic/scholarly writing aims to explore an idea, argument, or concept.  Academic writing requires more factual evidence for support, and presents challenges such as the pressure of time.  They each have their own purpose, and as a developing writer, I hope to improve my writing of both types.