Preparing for Academic Writing
Before you even put pen to paper, there are several key steps in the academic writing process that are often overlooked. This section will guide you through those early, crucial stages to help you write with focus and purpose.
Understanding the Question
- This first page helps you break down what the assignment is really asking. By analysing your assignment brief, you’ll learn how to identify what’s in scope, what’s not, and how to clarify expectations. This step ensures your research and writing stay relevant and that you meet your marker’s criteria.
Planning Your Assignment
- In this next page, you’ll find practical strategies for creating a flexible, working plan. You’ll also explore principles like backwards planning, a method that helps you prioritise tasks like referencing and proofreading, which often get rushed at the last minute.
Outlining Your Essay
- The page after this walks you through creating a simple bullet-point outline for your main body paragraphs. An outline can help you visualise the flow of your argument and make the writing process feel less daunting. While some students prefer to jump straight into writing, an outline a useful way to get ensure that you remain on track.