Undergraduate applicants’ area

 

 

Writing at university level analyses, challenges and develops ideas – and is a skill that all students, regardless of their course, use throughout a degree.

 On this page

The first steps to writing an essay

Using sources to structure an argument

Quotations, paraphrase and summary

Organising your writing

What is synthesis?

How to take a stance

Writing paragraphs

Develop your academic writing style

Resources

The first steps to writing an essay

Whether or not you know your colons from your semicolons, read on for tips, techniques and check lists for strengthening your writing skills.

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The first steps to writing an essay

 

Using sources to structure an argument

Sources are important for providing evidence and backing up your claims. You’ll use them carefully and consistently throughout your writing.

Photograph of a student writing notes while using their laptop
Using sources to structure an argument

 

Quotations, paraphrase and summary

Understand the differences between quotations, paraphrases and summaries.

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Quotations, paraphrase and summary

 

Organising your writing

The ‘controlling idea’ and how it can help you to create a clear argument.

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Organising your writing

 

What is synthesis?

Understand synthesis and how to apply it in your writing.

Photograph of a student's hand taking a book from a bookshelf
What is synthesis?

 

How to take a stance

How to take a stance – putting your ideas in relation to others.

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How to take a stance

 

Writing paragraphs

Use paragraphs effectively to boost your academic writing.

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Writing paragraphs

 

Develop your academic writing style

Develop your academic writing style so that you can critique other people’s ideas in an appropriate and respectful way – and use criticism to your advantage..

Photograph of three students using a study space (taking notes and working on laptops), as viewed from above
Develop your academic writing style

 

Further guidance

You'll find lots more guidance on writing tasks at university on the Studying effectively pages.

Studying effectively

 

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