Module 4: Academic writing                  

Academic writing aims to persuade readers of an idea based on evidence. Writing down everything you know about a topic is not enough to make a good academic essay or report.

University assignments could require you to write an essay, prepare a report, write a critical review or prepare an annotated bibliography. All of these assignments demand particular styles of writing and presentation.

Read the learning outcomes for this module.

Essay writing

Writing an essay at university requires you to persuade your readers of your viewpoint based on the evidence you have found in your research.

An academic essay should:

• answer a question or task

• present an argument

An academic argument is a formal argument. For example, in a literature argument you will include evidence from a literary text. A biology argument will include data from field or laboratory research.

All academic arguments must be:

• arguable: a disagreement or a number of legitimate points of view must exist regarding the viewpoint

• rational: it should be based on fact not emotion. The viewpoint must be well considered, the evidence thoroughly researched and carefully selected

• logical: a viewpoint must be argued step-by-step, logically connecting one point to the next

• referenced: all sources must be documented using an approved referencing format

• develop a premise or a set of closely related points, by reasoning and evidence, linked together in a logical sequence

• use formal language

• include relevant examples, supporting evidence and information from academic texts or credible sources

For further information about writing a good academic essay visit the Learning Centre’s pages and links.

Note: For help with preparing oral presentations visit the Learning Centre.

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