1. Learning Development Service Student Guidance Centre
Academic Writing
Learning Development Service
Student Guidance Centre

2. What attracts good marks?
Lowest marks
Weak structure
Shows little research
Mostly descriptive
Considers only one point of view
Better marks
Evidence of background learning
Answers the question
Organises information into a logical structure
Develops an argument
Draws conclusions
Provides evidence to support arguments

3. The writing process Defining the question/area of research
Good quality reference material
Read, make notes, think critically about material, formulate an argument
Create your plan
Write draft
Edit
Proofread and presentation

4. The question Define each word in the assignment/essay title
Keep your assignment title/task in front of you as you are reading and writing

5. Key words in essay titles
Account for
Analyse
Critically discuss
Discuss
Illustrate
What do these terms mean?

6. Key words in essay titles
Account for – give reasons for, explain why
Analyse – examine in close detail
Critically discuss – weigh arguments for and against something, assessing the strength of evidence on both sides
Discuss – write about the most important aspects of, give arguments for and against
Illustrate – make something clear and explicit by giving examples

7. Next steps What do I know already? What do I need to find out?
Where will I get the information? (library session)
Main topic
Key areas

8. Research Find appropriate sources – read and make notes
Keep all bibliographic details(referencing session)
Decide what information is relevant (title)
Discard what you do not need – don’t be tempted to quote from everything just to show that you have read widely

9. Plan Point 1 Point 2 Argument introduced
Argument developed and closed (may be more than 1 paragraph)
Link to next paragraph
Point 2
Next argument introduced
Idea developed
Idea concluded and link to next paragraph
Next argument flows on from previous paragraph
Develop argument
Close

10. Academic style http://www. qub. ac
Precise, objective language
Grammatically correct
Properly punctuated
Formal
Lists in essay use appropriate layout
The causes of migration include:
Drought
famine
Disease.
(McMillan, K., and Weyers J., How to write essays and assignments Pearson 2nd ed 2011)

11. Academic writing is precise
Vague
Precise
A woman ruled the country for over 10 years
Some people believe …
At the time
Margaret Thatcher served as British Prime Minister between 1979 and 1991
Who exactly?
When?
Always check that you have given your readers enough detail so that they know exactly what you are talking about

12. Write this in an academic style
Non-academic
In this country, we have changed the law so that the King or Queen is less powerful since the Great War. But he or she can still advise, encourage or warn the Prime Minister if they want.
What could be improved?
Write this in an academic style

13. In this country (non-specific), we have changed (active voice) the law (not precise) so that the King or Queen (duplication of nouns, better to use a singular term) is less powerful since the Great War. But he or she can still (informal) advise, encourage or warn the Prime Minister if they want. (If who wants? Not clear who ‘they’ refers to – the King or Queen? The Prime Minister?)

14. Academic style
In the United Kingdom, legislation has been a factor in the decline of the role of the monarchy in the period since the Great War. Nevertheless, the monarchy has survived and, thus, the monarch continues to exercise the right to advise, encourage and warn the Prime Minister.

15. Abbreviations and contractions
Avoid abbreviations such as:
e.g. - for example
i.e. - that is
Avoid contractions such as:
Isn’t – is not
Couldn’t - could not

16. Acronyms – an abbreviation that takes the initial letters of a name or procedure to form a word in its own right.
World Health Organisation becomes WHO.
The first time the term is used it should be written out in full, followed by the acronym or abbreviation in brackets. Thereafter, the acronym or abbreviation can be used.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states …
The National Health Service (NHS) was established …

17. Do Not Doubt Yourself
‘In this assignment I will try to analyse/ endeavour to demonstrate/ attempt to argue that’…
When you do this you are implying that you may not be able to do what you have set out to do and you are inviting your reader to pass judgement on the success or otherwise of your attempt.
It is better to state confidently that ‘in this assignment I will analyse / demonstrate / argue that’…
Or to say, ‘This assignment will critically analyse differing perspectives on …’

18. Technical register (jargon, specialist terms)
Do not use technical jargon to try to impress; however, become comfortable with the language of your discipline and use it confidently.
If you are having difficulty understanding some of the terminology, create a personal learning dictionary; this will be useful for exam revision.

19. Academic writing can be:
Descriptive
Being precise about methods used in a procedure
Giving essential background information
While most assignments will have an element of descriptive content, an essay that is only descriptive will usually get a lower mark

20. Argumentative/analytical/critical
Highlights a point of view or opinion and a line of reasoning to support it.
highlights an alternative point of view and demonstrates an understanding of the debate.
Offers evidence and examples to support a particular view in order to convince the reader that it is the right view to hold.
For more detailed help on critical writing, attend an LDS workshop.

21. Descriptive versus analytical writing
States what happened
States what something is like
Explains what a theory says
Gives information
Explains why what happened is significant
Evaluates strengths and weaknesses
Shows why the theory is relevant or how it relates to practice
Draws conclusions

22. Features of academic writing
Use source materials – do not simply state your personal opinion. Use material from books, articles, reports, lectures
Use the most up-to-date research
Show that you are aware that answers are not always clear cut. State clearly where there are flaws in an argument and back up what you say by referring to research

23. Features of academic writing
If there are difficulties coming to a firm conclusion about a controversial subject, show that you understand the complexities of the debate
Make sure that one point follows logically from another
Be objective

24. Essay structure Introduction (10%) Main text Conclusion (10%)
Engage the reader by introducing your topic.
Identify the issues you are about to explore and preview how you plan to answer the question.
Main text
Divided into paragraphs.
Structure set out by introduction and approach to question.
Must cover everything you said you would cover in the introduction.
Conclusion (10%)
Summarises your argument and the main themes.
Do not present new arguments.

25. 90%     High / Excellent 1st 80%     Definite 1st 75%     Low 1st >=70%  1st 68%     High / Excellent %     Definite / Solid %     Low / Clear >=60%  %     High %     Definite / Solid %     Low / Clear >=50%  %     High 3rd 45%     Definite / Solid 3rd 42%     Low 3rd >=40% 3rd 35%     Marginal Fail 25%     Weak Fail 15%     Poor Fail 0%     Bad fail  / no answer / Nothing of merit

26. Feedback Comments on your assignment What are your strengths
What do you need to develop
Action you have taken to follow up on feedback given

27. Powerpoints Acknowledge your sources
Check you module handbook for guidelines
Clear

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