Academic writing tips and support
Sharpen your writing skills to boost your academic success
If academic writing doesn't come easily to you, don't worry - it takes practice. With support from the right people and our useful tips, you'll be able to strengthen your writing skills and succeed in your assessments.
Top tips for writing essays, assignments & reports
Whether you're writing an essay, a report or short-answer questions in an exam, clear and structured writing will help you to communicate your ideas effectively. Here are five tips to help you improve your writing:
1. Understand the task
Before you start doing any writing, make sure that you understand your assessment requirements:
- Identify the question or prompt. What are you being asked to do? Learn how to answer the question of your essay.
- Check the word count to understand how much of a topic you need to cover.Ìý
- Read the marking criteria to understand the expectations of your marker.Ìý
Tip: If you're unsure, ask your tutor or refer to assessment guidelines.
2. Make a plan
Good writing starts with a solid plan:
- Brainstorm ideas and key points
- Organise your argument logically (including an introduction, body and conclusion)
- Create an outline to guide the structure of your writing
- Use headings or subheadings (where appropriate) to keep your writing clear and focused.Ìý
3. Structure your paragraphs
Academic writing requires structure, clarity and supporting evidence. Your paragraphs should:
- start with a clear topic sentence that states the main point of the paragraph.Ìý
- finish with a concluding sentence that concludes the point and links it to the overall argument.Ìý
- use academic language and appropriate vocabularyÂ
- support your claims with evidence.Ìý
- consider counterarguments to strengthen your position (where relevant).
4. Use evidence and references
Relevant supporting evidence will strengthen your academic writing. Remember to:
- Cite reliable sources, including journals, books and official reports
- Follow the correct referencing style listed in your course outline
- Avoid plagiarism by properly paraphrasing and correctly referencing all sources.
5. Edit and proofread
Never submit your first draft! For every piece of writing you submit, remember to:
- Check for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors
- Ensure clarity and logical flow
- Read your work aloud or use a spell-checking tool.
See also
Get academic support to improve your writing
Whether you'd prefer to build your academic writing skills through self-paced modules, learn one-on-one from an expert or attend a workshop, there's an avenue for you.Ìý
 Looking for personalised study support?
Meet an Academic Learning Facilitator to get constructive feedback on academic skills.