Academic writing process

Prepare

• Analyse the task for key words – words that identify the topic or issue. See Table 1 for some common key words used in assignment/examination questions

• Try rephrasing the assignment question to ensure that you fully understand it

• It can be helpful to break down the assignment question into a series of questions

• Use the assessment criteria as a checklist:

  • the marks allocated for each criterion give an indication of how much time should be spent (and therefore how much should be written) on each part of the question, and
  • ensures that no parts of the question are left unanswered

• Seek clarification if necessary – discuss the interpretation with your classmates, and ask your lecturer/tutor if unsure

• Knowing precisely what content is required will help you make an informed choice on the material you need to read about or research

Common key words in interpreting a task

Research

Read broadly

To get an overall picture of the topic in question, start with your lecture notes, subject learning guide, introductory and general texts. Keep the assignment question in mind while you read. Refer to Academic reading for efficient and critical reading strategies.

Formulate a tentative position

Once you have an overall understanding of the topic, you are ready to formulate a tentative position on the assignment question, and are able to focus on more detailed texts.

Focus your reading

Focussed reading helps to validate your adopted tentative position. Search for texts that detail the issues you have identified as part of the overall picture by referring to the reading list in your subject outline, the reference lists in the introductory/general texts and relevant journal articles, and the library catalogue and databases.

Commit to a position

Having done the research and focussed your reading, you should have a clear view of your position; this will help to keep your writing focused, logical and coherent.

Writing

Plan

First, organise your argument and evidence, and establish connections between your points. You may not need a detailed plan prior to writing a draft; some students may work well with just a list of headings and sub-headings to guide them. Whatever the format of your plan, it is essential to have one prior to writing as it provides an overview of what your assignment will cover, guides you along the way, and ensures that nothing is left uncovered.

Draft and redraft

Once you have a plan, start writing the first draft. You will probably find that you need to redraft your writing several times. In the process of drafting and redrafting, you may find that you need to do more researching or reading in a particular area in order to strengthen an argument or evidence in your assignment.

Edit

After you have completed the final draft, leave it for at least a day before you do the final editing. Check for the following:

• structural aspects (introduction-body-conclusion) – logic and coherence;
• grammar aspects and punctuation; and
• technical aspects – presentation, in-text referencing and reference list, and spelling.

It is also useful to have a fresh pair of eyes to read it over – ask a friend, or book an individual consultation session with HELPS.

Adapted from the following sources:
Morley-Warner, T. 2009, Academic writing is… A guide to writing in a university context, Association for Academic Language and Learning, Sydney.
UniLearning 2000, accessed 10 June 2000, <http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/main.html>.