Editing like a pro
Finessing an argument and spotting typos need different mindsets. Whether you’re writing an essay or a PhD, you need to be the editor as well as the author.
Using quotations effectively
Quotations should serve your argument. Find pertinent quotations, place them for best effect and make them fit your purpose.
Within and between – techniques to ensure your writing flows
When your writing flows, your reader can easily absorb your ideas and understand what you’re trying to communicate.
The power of verbs
To raise the quality of your writing, check your verbs. Select verbs that say exactly what you mean and carry the right amount of weight.
The hero argument
To make your writing as engaging and convincing as possible, it’s worth giving the counter-argument sufficient space and understanding.
Weave a narrative thread—in 3 easy steps
We cannot resist the lure of a good story. A desire to see a narrative also permeates many areas of academia.
Using a diary to process your reading
Writing can be a lonely business. By starting a diary, you will create a kind of companion at your desk and a record of the writing process.
Paraphrasing: what it is and how to do it
Swapping the author’s words for your own, even with the help of the thesaurus, won’t save you from plagiarism. Indeed, although the thesaurus is a useful writing tool, it can also be a trap. In a PhD, dissertation or essay, successful paraphrasing is taking the nub of someone else’s argument and relating it to the point you are making.
How to bring your voice into reflective writing
Dr Lucy English Reflective writing is used in subjects as varied as education, nursing, sociology and the creative arts as a method to reflect on the learning experience. Students often find reflective writing difficult. How do you write about your…
How to write clearly and concisely
Students want their text to get to the point, and for their argument to be easy to understand. Their writing needs to be clear and concise.
