For non-native English speakers, completing a journal article assignment can feel like climbing a steep academic mountain. The challenges are real: unfamiliar vocabulary, complex grammar structures, technical jargon, strict formatting rules, and the pressure to sound “academic” — all within tight deadlines. Yet, with the right strategies and mindset, success is not only possible but entirely achievable.
This blog is a detailed guide tailored for students writing journal article assignments in English as a second or foreign language. It combines language-learning strategies with academic writing techniques to help you confidently read, understand, analyze, and write about scholarly journal articles. Whether you’re an undergraduate navigating your first assignment or a graduate student preparing for publication, these tips will help you level the playing field.
Let’s break the process down and make academic writing in English less intimidating and far more manageable.
1. Understand the Assignment Instructions Thoroughly
Before reading or writing, take time to decode the assignment prompt:
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What type of writing is expected (summary, analysis, reflection, comparison)?
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What is the word count and citation style?
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Are there specific questions or sections to include?
🧠 Tip: Use tools like DeepL or Google Translate to clarify instructions — but always verify with your professor or classmates if anything is unclear.
2. Choose a Journal Article with Accessible Language
Not all academic articles are equally readable — especially for ESL students. Choose a paper that:
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Has a clear abstract and organized sections (Introduction, Method, Results, Discussion)
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Uses moderate technical jargon
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Is written in plain academic English (avoid highly theoretical or heavily mathematical papers)
🔍 Use sites like Google Scholar, ERIC, or PubMed Central and filter by readability.
3. Read Actively with Vocabulary Support
Reading an academic journal article requires active engagement:
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Skim first to get the structure
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Highlight unfamiliar words
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Use a bilingual academic dictionary (e.g., Linguee, WordReference)
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Create a vocabulary list with example sentences
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Summarize each paragraph in your own words
📘 Tool Tip: Use browser extensions like Reverso, Readlang, or LingQ to translate words in context.
4. Break the Article Into Sections
Avoid reading the entire article in one sitting. Break it into manageable parts:
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Day 1: Abstract + Introduction
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Day 2: Methods + Results
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Day 3: Discussion + Conclusion
Take notes after each section. Write down:
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What the authors did
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Why they did it
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What they found
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What they concluded
This approach reduces overwhelm and improves comprehension.
5. Build an Outline Before Writing
Use your notes to build a clear assignment outline. Include:
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Introduction: topic, purpose, article info
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Summary: section-by-section notes
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Analysis: strengths, weaknesses, insights
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Conclusion: reflections or application
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References
✍️ Draft in your first language first if needed — then translate, revise, and edit in English.
6. Use Simple Academic English
You don’t need to use complicated vocabulary or long sentences to sound “academic.” Instead:
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Write clearly and directly
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Use transition words (e.g., furthermore, however, in contrast)
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Avoid slang and contractions
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Stick to formal tone (avoid “I think” unless allowed)
Example:
❌ “This article is super good and talks a lot about stuff.”
✅ “This article presents a clear analysis of the topic and contributes to current research.”
💡 Practice Tip: Read model assignments or journal article reviews to see how academic tone sounds.
7. Use Grammar and Language Tools
Don’t let grammar errors undermine your ideas. Use AI-powered tools to assist:
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Grammarly – checks grammar, tone, and clarity
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Quillbot – helps rephrase awkward sentences
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Ginger – corrects grammar and suggests synonyms
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Writefull – offers sentence examples from academic databases
🧠 Don’t blindly accept all corrections — make sure they match your meaning.
8. Get Help from Writing Centers or Language Tutors
Many universities offer free help through:
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Writing centers
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ESL support services
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Peer tutoring
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Online writing labs (e.g., Purdue OWL)
You can also ask a fluent classmate to read your draft or check your citations.
9. Use AI Tools for Summarizing and Structuring
AI can help simplify complex texts and offer templates for structuring your work:
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Elicit or Scholarcy – summarize articles
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ChatGPT – help organize outlines
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Notion AI – assist with writing task lists
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Zotero or Mendeley – manage citations
Always review AI suggestions — never copy text word-for-word.
10. Check Formatting and Citation Style Carefully
APA is the most common citation style for journal assignments. Make sure:
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In-text citations match the reference list
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Titles are italicized properly
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You follow capitalization and punctuation rules
Example (APA format):
Brown, A. (2021). The role of nutrition in cognitive health. Journal of Health Studies, 44(2), 112–120. https://doi.org/10.1234/jhs.2021.0008
📚 Use Citation Machine, ZoteroBib, or Scribbr to generate references correctly.
You Can Write Like an Academic — in Any Language
Completing a journal article assignment as a non-native English speaker is no small feat. It requires language skills, academic strategies, and most importantly — confidence. You may not feel fluent. You may need more time. You may make grammar mistakes. But what matters most is your understanding, your effort, and your voice.
Academic writing is a process. Every assignment is a chance to improve. Don’t compare yourself to native speakers — compare yourself to your past self. Are you learning new terms? Reading more fluently? Writing more clearly than last month? That’s progress.
With the right tools, support, and mindset, you can meet — and even exceed — expectations. And as you gain confidence in writing journal article assignments, you’ll also gain the skills to thrive in university, research, and global careers.
Remember: English is the medium — your thinking is the message. And that message deserves to be heard, clearly and powerfully.
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