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Seven secrets of stylish academic writing

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Imagine that the editor of a widely-read magazine or, say, The Conversation has heard about your academic research and invited you to contribute an article. But you only know how to produce stodgy, impersonal…

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Planning your time!

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the clockwork muse: a practical guide to writing theses

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language arts & disciplines: composition & creative writing

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The Clockwork Muse - Eviatar Zerubavel | Harvard University Press

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For anyone who has blanched at the uphill prospect of finishing a long piece of writing, this book holds out something more practical than hope: it offers a plan. The Clockwork Muse is designed to help prospective authors develop a workable timetable for completing long and often formidable projects.

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When revising and editing your assignment, ask yourself:

Have I answered the question or task as fully as possible?

What is my thesis/ central proposition/ main assertion?

Do I make a clear argument or take a position about the topic? Do I state that position in my introduction?

Does my introduction or opening paragraph prepare the reader for what follows?

Is my essay clearly structured?

Are my paragraphs clearly connected and coherent?

Does each paragraph begin with a topic sentence?

Do the sentences flow smoothly and logically from point to point?

Does each sentence clearly follow on from the one before?

Does each paragraph state its case clearly and completely, or should there be more evidence/ detail?

Are there adequate transitions between sentences and paragraphs? Are transitions varied or are they all the same kind?

Are all examples and quotes relevant to and supportive of my answer?

Are facts and opinions supported with examples or explanations where necessary?

Is my written expression appropriate?

Have I used direct and clear language?

Have I explained my ideas clearly and explicitly?

Have I kept my audience in mind? Have I said all I need to say so that my reader can understand, or am I assuming they will 'know what I mean'?

Have I written complete, grammatically correct sentences?

In long sentences, have I separated related ideas with commas or semicolons for easier understanding?

Is my use of tenses correct?

Have I used non-discriminatory language?

Have I fully referenced my sources of information?

Have I referenced all the words, ideas and information sources I have used in my assignment?

Have I used a consistent referencing style?

Is there a clear distinction between my thoughts and words and those of the author(s) I've read and cited?

Are quotations properly introduced?

Are they accurate?

Are they formatted correctly?

Do the quotations add evidence or provide an authoritative voice, or am I letting the author(s) speak for me? Would writing it in my own words be more effective?

Have I remained within or exceeded the set word limit?
I don't have enough words:

Have I fully answered the question or task?

Do I need to read more? Should I include more information or discussion?

Have I provided enough evidence to support my argument/s?

I have too many words:

Have I included only relevant information?

Is there any unnecessary repetition in my assignment?

Is my written expression as clear and concise as possible, or is it too 'wordy'?

Have I proof read and revised my assignment for errors?

Have I checked my spelling? Have I read through my assignment and not just relied on a computer spell checker?

Is all my bibliographical information correct?

Have I used correct punctuation? Have I ended every sentence with a full stop?

Is my assignment well presented?

Does the presentation follow any guidelines set by my lecturer or school?

Have I included a cover sheet? (assignment cover sheets are available from your school office)

Have I made sure my assignment is legible? Is it typed or written neatly?

Have I used double-line spacing?

Have I numbered pages and used wide margins?

Have I kept an extra copy?

Further reading

Barnett, S. and Cain, A. 1997, A Short Guide to Writing About Literature, Harper Collins.

Cuba, l. 1988, A Short Guide to Writing About Social Science, Harper Collins.

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When revising and editing your assignment, ask yourself: What is my thesis/ central proposition/ main assertion? Do I make a clear argument or take a position about the topic? Do I state that position in my introduction? Does my introduction or opening paragraph prepare the reader for what follows?

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Test your paragraph

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The Test

Is your writing flabby or fit? Enter a writing sample of 100 to 1000 words and click run the test.

run the test

ATTENTION USERS: Please note that the WritersDiet Test is an automated feedback tool, not an assessment tool. The test identifies some of the sentence-level grammatical features that most frequently weigh down academic prose. It is not designed to judge the overall quality of your writing - or anyone else's. For further information and caveats, please read this page.

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Is your writing flabby or fit? Enter a writing sample of 100 to 1000 words and click run the test. run the test ATTENTION USERS: Please note that the WritersDiet Test is an automated feedback tool, not an assessment tool. The test identifies some of the sentence-level grammatical features that most frequently weigh down academic prose.

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Classic! Strunk and White The Elements of Style.pdf