What Makes Freelance Academic Writing Different from Other Forms of Freelance Writing?

Academic
writing jobs are also available in freelance writing. However, they
have a significant difference from other freelance writing jobs such
as journalism, website content writing, sales and marketing writing,
creative writing and creative non-fiction writing. Academic writing
jobs are available in the following fields:
 

• essay
  writing
• dissertation
  and thesis writing
• writing
  academic papers and reports

Academic writing often commands a higher pay rate than other
freelance writing jobs. However, a writer wishing to break into the
academic writing genre will require additional skills than those of
other types of freelancers. Academic writing is more stringent. A
good comprehension of grammar, formal writing style, vocabulary
appropriate for academic readers, knowledge of the correct form and
structure, and the ability to write fully original material are
prized qualities for a freelance writer doing academic writing jobs.

 
What
separates academic writing jobs from other job descriptions is that
its readers are mostly scholars and academics in universities and
institutions of learning. Academic writing involves making a point,
arguing a case, analysing data, and interpreting findings and results
of experiments. Since the intended readers of academic writing are
professors, tutors and other students it is already assumed that they
know something about the topic being written about. Thus, the writer
will need an advanced way of presenting his or her analysis and
argument. This can be achieved from a strong base of knowledge and
research. Below are direct comparisons of academic writing jobs with
other forms of freelance writing:
 

• Sales
  and marketing writing make use of hyperbole to persuade an audience.
  Although presenting scientifically validated claims will make an
  argument presented in sales and marketing writing to be more
  credible, it is not an absolute requirement. In academic writing,
  any argument or claim must be backed by scientific findings and must
  be open to dispute or further discussion.
• Journalism
  and website content writing, whilst largely facts-based, need to be
  concise along with being comprehensive. In academic writing, the
  writer can cite all facts relevant to the subject of discussion and
  can take the reader on an in-depth analysis of a subject without
  fear of complexity.
• Creative
  non-fiction writing has to contain a personal point of view from the
  writer. In most academic writing tasks, objectivity is required
  hence the writer does not use a personal viewpoint.
• In
  creative writing, the writer is given room to express his
  imagination. In academic writing jobs, a writer cannot divest from
  his responsibility to make statements based on facts for which
  references are available.