Writing at University
Learn how to boost your academic writing. Develop a skill that will help you get good grades throughout your University career.
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Specialist Help
General help
We recommend you take a look at the following Skills eLearning topics if you need help with these academic writing skills:
- style
- structure
- using evidence
- demonstrating critical analysis
- reflective writing
- proofreading.
Academic writing tips
What is covered:
- Using an appropriate style for academic writing.
- Writing objectively and with caution.
- Showing the connections between your ideas.
- The importance of drafting and editing.
Using evidence in your work
What is covered:
- how to paraphrase and summarise evidence correctly in your writing
- why it's important to use in text citations
- when to use direct quotations
Estimated duration is 15 minutes.
Approaching your essay
Learn how and when to get started with your first draft, how to structure paragraphs and essays, what to include in an introduction and conclusion, and how you can use evidence to write objectively.
Estimated duration is 20 minutes.
Introduction to referencing
What is covered:
- What referencing is and why it is important.
- Types of information you need to reference.
- How to identify what you are referencing.
Critical writing
What is covered:
- what critical thinking is
- how to critically analyse
- the benefits of critical thinking
- the difference between critical and descriptive writing.
Estimated duration is 20 minutes.
Proofreading and editing
What is covered:
- the purpose of proofreading your work
- useful techniques for proofreading and editing.
Estimated duration is 15 minutes.
Introduction to reflective writing
What is covered:
- what reflective writing is
- how to write reflectively
- introduction to a model that helps you to reflect.
Estimated duration is 15 minutes.
Creating references using APA 7th edition
What is covered:
- What the APA 7th style looks like in your work.
- How to use in-text citations.
- What your reference list is for.
- How to format you references.
How to benefit from feedback
What is covered:
- how to recognise when you are receiving feedback
- how to use feedback to develop yourself.
Estimated duration is 15 minutes.
Academic Skills Workshops
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This is a great place to start if you want to:
- Improve your study and research skills
- Develop your IT and digital skills
- Focus on your maths and numeracy.
Workshops are added regularly, so keep checking back to see what's new!