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How to write in a scholarly manner?

I've often been picked upon this by my tutors - the fact that I don't write in a scholarly manner. How exactly does one write in a scholarly manner? I don't write in an informal manner in my essays, but it doesn't sound like a typical journal either. Are there any particular linguistic features I should be made aware of? It's frustrating because I can tell when a piece of text is scholarly but I just can't seem to imitate it myself!

Any tips would be wonderful here, cheers.

Reply 1

Grapevine

Just one very small point. Don't use contracted forms (e.g. "won't", "isn't") when you should say "does not" etc.

Reply 2

elldee

How old/what level are you at?

Reply 3

TheMeister

Start contributing to Wikipedia; it assisted me in developing my writing ability.

Reply 4

indifferencepersonified

Using complex and slightly flaracious vocab is always good, but with any good piece of writing whether it's an essay or a novel is that it reads well, there's no point in making one section sound brilliant if it isn't worked in to flow with the surroudning text. Just a thought.