Signposting
Use signposting to guide your reader through your writing.
Blurbing is a serious business
This is the perfect exercise for working out how to summarise your work.
The elevator pitch
To refine your argument and write the abstract for your dissertation, try to write a one-minute 'sales pitch' for your work.
Reading for an overview
How can you quickly grasp the essence of an article and work out if it will be useful to you? First, read the abstract, which summarises the article. Check the introduction and then the conclusion. If the content appears relevant,…
A page, a paragraph, a sentence: keeping your focus
Sometimes, it's hard to see the wood for the trees in your writing. Here's a way of achieving an overview of your project to help to keep you on track.
Writing punchy prose
Mix up long sentences for detailed analysis explanation with short, punchy ones for emphasis.
What is an argument?
Here, the story of Victor Frankenstein is used to demonstrate the development of an argument.
Why is an essay like a kebab?
Organise your essay like a shish kebab, with your argument like a skewer holding the assembly together.
How to be your own editor
If you hate the thought of editing your work, break down the task into manageable chunks and keep in mind that every editorial task you carry out will improve your writing.