We do more writing as a society than ever before. Writing has become the primary way we share knowledge, gather information, putting our thoughts and ideas down, and interact and connect with others. Writing tools help us to write faster and more effectively. They simplify the writing process by helping us with research, ideation, proofreading, and editing.
In this article, we are not trying to sell any product - the following list of tools are my favorite writing tools and being personally used for my academic writing for years.
1. Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a well-known word processor published by Microsoft and it was first released in 1983. It is one of the office productivity applications included in the Microsoft Office suite. Microsoft Word allows you to create and format professional-quality documents. Unlike a plain text editor, Microsoft Word has features including spell and grammar check, text and font formatting, image support, advanced page layout, tracking and reviewing features and more.
2. Google Docs
Google Docs is a free online document editor that lets you create and format several type of documents such as word processing docs, sheets, slides, and forms. You can edit text documents right in your web browser. It allows you to store your documents in your Google Drive account and can access your documents from anywhere. In addition, multiple collaborators can work at the document at the same time - you can see their changes as they make them, and every change is saved automatically.
3. Docear
Docear is a unique solution to academic literature management. It helps you organizing, creating, and discovering academic literature. Docear is not just a reference or literature manager; It supports you in discovering, organizing, and writing academic literature by bundling several applications into a single tool. With Docear you can create new mind maps to draft your own academic literature and to create your academic writing plan for your research paper, thesis, dissertation, etc. You can insert texts, notes, images, PDF files, add formulas (LaTeX), format nodes, and more.
4. EndNote
EndNote is a desktop software used to manage and format your citation and references. You can be much more focused on the actual writing of the paper if you let EndNote do the heavy lifting for you. EndNote enables you to import references from Google Scholar into an EndNote desktop library and you can use this library to insert in-text citations while simultaneously creating a bibliography with the 'Cite While You Write' feature in Microsoft Word.
5. Google Keep
Note-taking applications enable you to type, write, and draw on you devices just as you would on paper. As an academic researcher or a writer, it is important to use note-taking apps because anywhere and any time you may need to jot down an idea, a key information you need for your research, or a task you need to remember. Note-taking keeps you focused and organized.
Google Keep allows you to add notes, audio, images, shared to-do lists, and set time- and location-based reminders. Google Keep is free to use and keeps your notes always synced on your devices- smartphone, tablet, and PC so that you can access your notes from anywhere. You can use Google Keep in any web browser, or download the app on your Android or iOS device.
There are many other tools that can be helpful for academic writers, including:
1. Grammarly: This is a grammar checker that helps writers identify and correct errors in their writing. It also offers suggestions for improving clarity and style.
2. Mendeley: This is a reference management tool that helps writers organize their research and create bibliographies in a variety of citation styles.
3. Scrivener: This is a writing tool designed specifically for long-form writing projects, such as research papers and dissertations. It offers features like an outlining tool, a corkboard for organizing ideas, and a full-screen mode for distraction-free writing.
4. Evernote: This is a note-taking tool that allows writers to create notes, organize them into notebooks, and access them from any device. It is useful for capturing ideas and organizing research.
5. Hemingway Editor: This is a writing tool that helps writers improve their writing by identifying areas where they can be more concise and direct. It highlights complex sentences, adverbs, and passive voice, among other things.
6. LaTeX: This is a typesetting system that is widely used in the publication of scientific documents. It is a powerful tool that allows users to create professional-quality documents with a high degree of control over the layout and formatting of their content. LaTeX uses a markup language to define the structure and layout of a document, rather than using visual formatting tools like those found in word processors. This makes it particularly useful for documents that contain a lot of mathematical equations or other specialized content that may be difficult to format using a standard word processor.
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