Academic writing at University can feel like a big step-up from school, with expectations of how much you write and the standard that you write to being much higher. This can be overwhelming, and the process of what you write can also be complex, with multiple factors such as planning, researching, analysing, editing, and proofreading your work all going into the process. It is also important to note that depending on your subject, you may be expected to write different pieces of academic work. For example, this could include essays, reports, reviews and posters.
However, with the right techniques and practice, writing pieces of University work will become more natural and manageable. Personally, I have found that planning your essays is key in creating a strong piece of academic writing, perhaps the most important step. Without planning, you are much more likely to end up waffling, or filling your word count with information which is not as valuable. Your planning does not necessarily have to be too in depth, I find mind maps are a good way to start thinking if you are stuck. In lots of subjects, your planning may also include reading lots of scholarly/academic work, to research and form the basis of your written piece. Don’t think of this as wasted time just because it doesn’t put words straight onto the page, as this will help you to form a stronger piece in the end!
Once you have a strong plan, you can then begin to write it up! If this is still overwhelming, I like to break it down into smaller chunks, maybe by thinking about how many words you need roughly per point/paragraph, and even sometimes using bullet points at first to make it more manageable.
It’s important when producing academic pieces of writing to avoid using shortened forms of words such as “don’t” and “can’t”, instead use “do not” and “cannot” to keep your work professional and formal in tone. Equally, avoid using symbols like “&” and instead write the word “and”. Also make sure that if your subject has a referencing style guide to follow you check what the requirements are for it so you can follow it closely and correctly.
Finally, always make sure you proofread your work, and more than once! I know I have been guilty of submitting some work with mistakes that seem so obvious when you read it back once you have feedback, even when I have proofread it. Therefore, reading it by yourself in your head may not always be enough; I’ve learnt that a really effective way to spot mistakes after having written a piece of academic work is to read it aloud as it helps you to notice mistakes you might have skipped over when reading in your head.
Overall, I’ve found the more you practice writing at University, the easier and less daunting it will become. So, don’t worry if you find it tricky or overwhelming when you’ve been set a writing task, just break it down and have a go.
Written by Emily, a BA History student
