Academic Writing for Graduate Students : Essential Tasks and Skills by 
They Say / I Say by Undergraduate Writing
• Is mechanically correct.
• Is concise.
• Is clear though not necessarily interesting.
• May or may not demonstrate new ideas.
• Contains citations when required.
• Uses transition words and phrases.
• Exactly conforms to outside models of argumentation, such as the Toulmin method of legal argument or classical rhetorical theory.
• Is written for a general audience or for the teacher.
• Will, with revision, be presentable at an undergraduate conference or in a general- interest publication.
Graduate Writing
• Is mechanically skillful.
• Is concise though also nuanced.
• Is engaging, stylish, and interesting, and speaks with your own voice.
• Explores a topic or research question in an original way.
• Demonstrates extensive research.
• Has a strong organizational frame.
• The paper moves from point to point in the way you want your audience’s thoughts to move; structure grows out of content.
• Is written for a professional audience.
• Will, with revision, be publishable in a professional journal or presentable at a good conference.