Question: what are some of the defining characteristics of academic writing?
Answer: Complexity. Written language is relatively more complex than spoken language. ... 
Formality. Academic writing is relatively formal. ... 
Precision. In academic writing, facts and figures are given precisely. ... 
Objectivity. Written language is in general objective rather than personal. ... 
Explicitness. ... 
Accuracy. ... 
Hedging. ... 
Responsibility.