Find the guide for the task in front of you

All writing guides

• Essays & Assignments

  How to Plan, Structure and Write a University Essay

  From unpacking the question to final revision: a practical process for planning, structuring and writing university essays.

  6 min readAll levels
• Essays & Assignments

  How to Write an Argumentative Essay That Persuades Markers

  Build an arguable thesis, support it with evidence, handle counterarguments fairly and write a conclusion that convinces.

  5 min readAll levels
• Research & Thesis

  How to Structure and Write a Student Research Paper

  What goes into each section of an IMRaD research paper or report, and the order that makes it easiest to write.

  5 min readUndergraduate & Postgraduate
• Essays & Assignments

  How to Write a Case Study Analysis at University

  Find the real problem, apply frameworks with care and make grounded recommendations in business, health, law or education.

  5 min readUndergraduate & Postgraduate
• Essays & Assignments

  How to Plan Coursework and Manage Multiple Deadlines

  Read briefs and marking criteria properly, break assignments into stages and schedule several deadlines without panic.

  5 min readAll levels
• Research & Thesis

  How to Structure Thesis and Dissertation Chapters

  What each thesis chapter does, how chapters connect, and how to plan your structure before you write a word.

  7 min readUndergraduate & Postgraduate
• Research & Thesis

  How to Write a Clear and Feasible Research Proposal

  The sections of a research proposal, what reviewers check, and how to turn a broad interest into a focused, feasible plan.

  5 min readUndergraduate & Postgraduate
• Research & Thesis

  How to Write a Literature Review That Synthesises Sources

  Move from summarising sources to synthesising them: search, organise, structure and write a review that leads to your question.

  5 min readUndergraduate & Postgraduate
• Essays & Assignments

  How to Write a Discussion Essay or Seminar Position Paper

  Explore perspectives fairly, weigh the evidence and still reach a clear judgement, in discussion essays and seminar papers.

  5 min readAll levels
• Research & Thesis

  How to Write a Scientific Lab Report, Section by Section

  Aims, method, results, discussion of error and valid conclusions: how to write each part of a scientific lab report.

  5 min readUndergraduate
• Skills & Style

  How to Write Reflectively Using Gibbs, Kolb and Rolfe

  Move beyond description: use Gibbs, Kolb or Rolfe to turn an experience into analysis, learning and a plan for action.

  5 min readAll levels
• Skills & Style

  How to Plan and Deliver an Academic Presentation

  Structure your argument, design clear slides, manage your time and handle questions in assessed university presentations.

  5 min readAll levels
• Skills & Style

  How to Show Critical Thinking in Your Academic Writing

  Question claims, test evidence and assumptions, compare sources and build your own reasoned position in your writing.

  6 min readAll levels
• Skills & Style

  Academic Vocabulary: Reporting Verbs, Hedging and Signposting

  Reporting verbs, hedging and signposting phrases that make your writing precise, formal and easy to follow, with tables to adapt.

  5 min readAll levels
• Skills & Style

  Grammar and Clarity in Academic Writing: Common Fixes

  The grammar issues that most often blur academic writing, plus practical techniques for clearer, more concise sentences.

  5 min readAll levels
• Referencing & Editing

  APA 7th Edition Referencing: In-Text Citations and References

  APA 7 in-text citations and reference list formats for articles, books, chapters and webpages, with clear placeholder examples.

  6 min readAll levels
• Referencing & Editing

  MLA 9th Edition: Core Elements, Containers and Citations

  The MLA core elements and container concept explained, with in-text citations and Works Cited format examples you can follow.

  6 min readAll levels
• Referencing & Editing

  Harvard Referencing: How It Works and Why Versions Differ

  Why Harvard referencing varies between universities, the common pattern for citations and references, and how to stay consistent.

  5 min readAll levels
• Referencing & Editing

  Citation Management: Reference Managers and Reading Logs

  How reference managers and a simple reading log keep sources organised and help you avoid accidental plagiarism.

  5 min readAll levels
• Referencing & Editing

  How to Edit Your Own Academic Writing, Step by Step

  A layered self-editing process, the difference between editing, proofreading and rewriting, and where ethical support begins and ends.

  5 min readAll levels