Top Tips

Why is an essay like a kebab?

A good essay is like a shish kebab. It has a handle (your introduction). It offers bite-sized chunks of nourishing meat (your main points, organised in paragraphs). Peppers and onions (evidence and quotations) accompany each chunk, in careful balance. The kebab is seasoned with salt (meticulous writing) to bring out the flavour, and a little pepper (a sprinkle of style) – but never too much. Most importantly, a skewer (your argument) holds the whole assembly together, guiding you along its length towards a sharp point (your conclusion). Once when I offered this analogy to a student, she looked at me scornfully before replying, ‘But I’m a vegetarian.’ Tofu works well too.

James McConnachie
8 February 2017

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The workshop consisted of a variety of useful strategies and allowed essential time to consider personal projects. Anna’s guidance enabled me to successfully convert from an academic, to a journalistic style of writing and has resulted in three publications in a magazine relating to my professional practice. Anna’s relaxed and reassuring but constructive approach instilled confidence and enabled actual outputs.
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The mix of ... presentations, group discussions and practical exercises was very beneficial for me to apply new knowledge to my own situation. Anna’s wide experience of writing and editing was demonstrated by her depth of understanding and ability to tailor her teaching to the needs of her students.
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University Tutor in Creative Writing
This retreat has been pretty life changing for me in terms of opening my eyes to my own potential as a writer both in academia and outside. I’ve been challenged by so much of what you’ve said to be a better writer. And you’ve been so affirming and encouraging as well. At this stage of my PhD where things have got so intense and crazy, this retreat has been an oasis and an antidote to the chaos.
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This was a highly beneficial couple of days. Opened my eyes to a new way of writing and rehearsing my ideas without being bogged down with accuracy.
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Katie Grant was an amazing 'writing instructor', very seasoned and experienced with a great way of teaching techniques.
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Biomedical research student
This workshop has been extremely helpful and relevant to my work in its current stage.
Doctoral student in History
Helena was an inspiring, supportive and encouraging tutor. I found the tutorial really beneficial, and I felt a sense of permission to write.
Arts doctoral student
It was fun… I think that made everyone relaxed and interact more.
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[I] will think back to this afternoon when I am blocked! So many great ideas. It was really useful.
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The service helped me to understand the idea of structuring within a paragraph and how simple changes in sentence arrangement could make it more fluid and meaningful. I'm sure it aided me in achieving 80 percent in my lit review.
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The activities were very helpful and enjoyable and gave me a better understanding of using signposting words.
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The two facilitators were great. Trevor and Max had very different styles that complemented each other very well. ... I really enjoyed the week and gained a lot – confidence and skills and tools for my own writing, and hopefully much better ways of teaching and mentoring others in writing. Highly recommended for writers of all levels and confidence.
Reader in Theoretical Astrophysics
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Arts doctoral student
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English Literature Lecturer
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The group sessions were really effective.
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Chris has been very helpful in giving me great advice to improve my writing skills. I would recommend this to anyone out there.
Undergraduate
The ‘taught’ content was carefully blended with the practical exercises, so that the practice led the theory, rather than the other way round. … Marina and Tina were helpful, insightful and concise, without being overly critical or judgmental … every moment has been suffused with creativity. Thank you for waking me up.
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Good and clear structure to the workshop. Activities effective.
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This is probably the most in-depth training and input I’ve ever received on (academic) writing! What a privilege, great opportunity. Brilliantly held and led by Heather.
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The activities were really helpful. They got me thinking in different ways.
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I have attended a few writing workshops. This is by far the best. I know it will help me edit my thesis more effectively.
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This is the most useful Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities workshop I've been to (I'm a 3rd year student)
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I’ve gained a new perspective on the writing process.
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Working with Anne on my grant proposal has been a really positive and constructive experience and taught me a great deal about how to explain complex concepts in a simple but still rigorous manner. The final submission was so beautiful to read that one of the referees made a point of commenting on it.
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After my one-to-one session with Anne, I feel like I have the tools and tips to become more confident in my writing – I am now optimistic I can develop a healthy relationship to writing.
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Has strongly influenced my PhD.
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It was interesting and fun and increased my confidence in writing.
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It made me think about my own dissertation topic and helped me in structuring it.
MA English Literature student
The three hours [Write Powerfully workshop] passed very quickly. Can I please be included in further workshops?
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I learned and understood more after each session. I would recommend that every college or university runs a program like this.
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Everyone who was involved felt they were able to participate in the training.
Team Leader in a Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
This was an incredibly useful week – I got to think much more explicitly about the writing process. It has given me a whole set of tools for teaching and mentoring writing, but probably of most use is the chance to consider my own writing. I have discovered all sorts of things I do in my writing (some good, some bad) that I didn't realise I was doing.
Reader in Theoretical Astrophysics
The day was brilliant and the first time I have ever done anything like this.
Adult education student attending one-day writing workshop at university
I thoroughly enjoyed it, and loved the weekly assignments and the feedback in class.
Postgraduate student in Creative Writing
Very interactive, imaginative activities.
Programme Director, School of Education
Reviewing good writing practice/style was very helpful as I have been engaged in very dry primary research and have 'lost my voice' to some extent as a result.
Doctoral student
Most useful workshop on my course so far!
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Really great session, thank you. I wish I knew you existed before now!
Doctoral student in Health Science
Appropriate content…Enjoyed the session – lively, engaging.
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I don’t think it could have been improved.
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I have personally witnessed how your workshops have transformed the way university teachers viewed their teaching.
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I feel I’ve learnt more about university essay writing over the course of two weekends than I have during my two years at university.
Second year Modern Languages undergraduate
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Third year Politics undergraduate
The [Concept to Content] workshop really gives good suggestions on appropriate writing in dissertations and writing in general.
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James made every effort to accommodate everyone’s needs and desires. This was one of the most interesting, informative and engaging workshops I’ve been to and I would attend another one if the opportunity arises.
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Although we have excellent student support services within the university, this course offered something to all the students who attended, whether they have specific learning needs or not. I saw their confidence grow as the course progressed.
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Fantastically insightful. Great tips for writing.
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All useful and relevant.
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Of course it’s a given that you need the proper space and time to write – but without focus on content and narrative craft we’d be churning out the same turgid stuff, just more efficiently. ... The week vastly exceeded my expectations and I think will have a profound effect on my writing.
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Social science researcher
The vast improvement in performance of our students, particularly as regards oral presentation skills, is due, in no small part, to the focussed attention provided by you and Esther Selsdon in those intensive sessions that you delivered so effectively.
MA course leader
I learned a lot from reading examples of diverse types of writing and rewriting them.
Doctoral student
A good, effective workshop that’s helped me understand essay writing better.
Undergraduate student
A wonderful and insightful workshop.
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Chris helped me pinpoint the problem areas of my writing that I could not see myself.
Postgraduate researcher
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Professor of English
This was the best inkpath session I have had to date, really informative and I have left the session less anxious about writing the impact statement!
PhD student: (medical research)
Would love more workshops like this.
MA student
Jen was brilliant. The best workshop I have taken part in since starting university. Extremely beneficial.
2nd year Sociology undergraduate
Alicia was very proactive, making sure everything was on track. … I had a one-to-one appointment with a student who attended Alicia’s workshop … The student said the workshop was ‘wonderful’ and helped her overcome her blocks.
Senior learning advisor
Anne has the unique ability to bring out the ‘story’ behind the science, turning empirical descriptions into beautiful prose that is both exciting and scientifically sound.
Professor of Toxicology and Environmental Health
I’d like another session as it has really helped me and I would like to attend more.
Education undergraduate
Dr Joss has transformed my attitude to writing my thesis.
Humanities doctoral student
... the one-to-one was brilliant. I feel really energised about reworking the rejected paper.
Research staff member, School of Art
Really good structure, excellent advice on how to go about writing for a non-specialist audience and what to consider when starting.
Professor of Science and Engineering
[The workshop] was broad enough that it applied to everyone. It was great!
Social Sciences doctoral student
The sessions was excellent … All the activities were thought provoking and [offered] something that it is original and that most academics do not experience … Several participants noted that thinking comparatively about genres of ‘creative writing’ as against highly structured academic context helped them to analyse what they do as academics, particularly in relation to engaging the reader.
Reader in Social Research
I would welcome the opportunity to work with you again, as I found your focus on clear objectives, your strong engagement with the students and your detailed approach to subject-specific learning has made an invaluable contribution to the confidence of my students as well as to the effectiveness of our learning environment as a whole.
MA course leader
I very much enjoyed the course. It was good to share ideas with colleagues, but, above all, to learn from Helena's suggestions and experiences.
Early career academic, Arts and Humanities
I really enjoyed the course. Helena was a really convivial group leader — inclusive, engaging and interesting to listen to.
Arts and Humanities doctoral student
Most of all I am confident about giving any presentation in the research area that I am interested in.
Doctoral student
I really enjoyed the workshop and found it informative and interesting.
English Literature undergraduate
The most useful formal training I’ve done while doing my PhD. . . Lydia is a lovely and warm facilitator with an immense amount of knowledge. Above all, she’s helped to demystify the writing process for me. . .
Doctoral student
Vibrant, stimulating and hilarious classes.
Postgraduate student in Creative Writing
Thank you again for the workshop. I really feel I have profited from it and also enjoyed it a lot! It not only has made me think about my own writing more critically and effectively but will also help me working with undergraduates and marking their essays.
History doctoral candidate
What a truly fantastic experience. I really cannot enthuse about it enough. The combination of Max and Trevor as facilitators – so different and yet superbly complementary – was simply perfect. I feel privileged to have attended and I will ensure that my institution is made aware of what a brilliant opportunity this is for all academic staff.
Life Sciences Researcher
The best and most interesting course I have done at the university so far.
Biomedical Science doctoral student
When I ran a workshop with these students they were full of praise and admiration for the work you and Cath Senker carried out . . . it would be truly rewarding to our students if you could return again next year to assist the next cohort of MA students.
International Support Co-ordinator (Postgraduate)
The workshop concentrated on topics that at this stage of my dissertation matter to me. The topic itself is overwhelming, so helping me to break it down helped me to feel the project is manageable.
Masters student
For me, I found being shown how to think about science writing in the same way as creative writing a bit of an eye opener. It was great to learn some of the basic ‘rules’ and things to think about in order for a good piece of writing to flow well.
Life Sciences Lecturer
[The tutor] was great. Very knowledgeable, patient, active and helpful.
Social Sciences doctoral student
I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.
English Literature undergraduate
I found a narrative voice I didn’t know I had, and changed my research question very radically as a result. The exercises reinforced the message, and it was very inspiring seeing other participants blossoming … into fiendishly writing all afternoon and evening, they were so energized. … The breadth of creativity was quite fantastic.
Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology
The report writing workshop was both fun and insightful and gave us clear actions to take in future.
Economics Analyst
I plan to use the proposed diagram for concepts and to engage my reader when writing my dissertation.
MA English Literature student
The presentation was interesting and relevant. What was most beneficial? All of the content – learnt something new throughout.
Education undergraduate
What a brilliant session on Friday. The last hour of the session was extremely useful and is beginning to make a significant difference to my data analysis. My friends could not believe the difference. Thank you.
Psychology postgraduate
Really useful, well explained, good examples and course lead was lovely!
PhD Student (history)
It’s difficult to think of any lesson this week that hasn’t been profoundly transformative. … I know already that our discussions on the joy and possibilities of writing have made me see my thesis as a living, rather than a dead, thing.
PhD Student on a recent writing retreat
This workshop encouraged me to think of writing in a different way when at work… and in particular the focus on editing was useful.
Administrative staff member
Gained knowledge on applying narrative structures to my essays.
Undergraduate student
Very informative. Really enjoyed the session and it will definitely be useful in writing my dissertation.
3rd year Applied Social Science undergraduate
I was encouraged to reflect upon my writing in a more critical fashion and given some useful practical tips too.
Masters in Social Science student
All of the exercises have been very helpful.
MA student
The course was excellently executed. It was relaxed and convivial, yet we were undertaking learning that was substantial and worthwhile.
Team Leader in a Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences
I thought this was a fantastic workshop, and thoroughly enjoyable and constructive from start to finish. I really appreciated Jennifer's insights and getting feedback from her ... By the end, I was desperate to get back to writing my book and was viewing the project with fresh eyes and enthusiasm.
Lecturer in History
I am impressed by your skills, the methodologies you introduce to the process of learning and generous spirit of inclusivity that you employ to connect with the students.
International Support Co-ordinator (Postgraduate)
Working with Anna changed my perception of how to write in a way which was clear, concise and accessible to a range of audiences. This helped in making me a confident writer. The group aspect of the training worked really well, as sharing projects and ideas helped to look at a particularly difficult project from a new perspective.
Marketing and Communications Assistant
Katie Grant was an amazing 'writing instructor', very seasoned and experienced with a great way of teaching techniques.
Doctoral researcher, arts and humanities
I thought [the Concept to Content workshop] was great.
MA English Literature student
I enjoyed the afternoon and feel a little less daunted!
PhD student
The workshop was pitched perfectly. Jennifer understood the peculiar challenges of academic writing and gave good advice on how to meet them. I enjoyed the group work too — tasks were useful in facilitating discussion and it was good to talk to colleagues about writing practices.
Professor of British History
Ann identified key areas of essay writing which people often struggle with, and worked through them with useful and thought-provoking activities.
English Literature undergraduate
In just one session, Lydia was able to identify my main issues with academic writing and suggested really useful tools.
Doctoral student
The consideration and design put into the creation of this session is obvious. Using the workshop to reflect on our own practice outside of my discipline has been enlightening and extremely enjoyable. Thank you.
Lecturer in Education
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