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.
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.
Using sources to structure an argument
Quotations, paraphrase and summary
Understand the differences between quotations, paraphrases and summaries.
Quotations, paraphrase and summary
Organising your writing
The ‘controlling idea’ and how it can help you to create a clear argument.
What is synthesis?
Understand synthesis and how to apply it in your writing.
How to take a stance
How to take a stance – putting your ideas in relation to others.
Writing paragraphs
Use paragraphs effectively to boost your academic writing.
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..
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