Many students that are new to academic writing often ask about the writing process:
What do you do first?
When do you write the introduction?
What about essay planning?
If this is you, then read on………
The information below is about the various steps or stages in academic writing, with links to useful websites and other materials to help you on your way. Although the info is in a particular order, in practice, writers usually move freely between the steps. It is a good idea, however, to analyse the question at the beginning so that you are on the right track from the start.
(You can view the following steps as a Slideshow)
Getting Started
Essays will almost always ask you to answer a question. The question (or “essay topic”) will contain a key word or Process Words which is a guide to the way in which you should set about answering the question (have a look at an earlier post on Analysing Essay Questions for further help if you need it).
You should also consider what genre or writing style is required:
Exploring Your Topic
Think about what you know about the subject. Write it down in some way. Develop your ideas into a preliminary plan.
Getting The Information You Need
Use the Preliminary Plan to guide you in Information Finding.
Creating A Working Plan
When you have a basic understanding of the reading, prepare a Working Plan.
Preparing Your Final Draft
Use your Working Plan to prepare a first draft of the body of the essay, making sure you Write Good Paragrphs (using an academic writing style).
Avoiding Plagiarism
Be careful to Avoid Plagiarism by using other writers’ ideas and words carefully. in the text of your essay, try to use a variety of Reporting Verbs to refer to other writers’ work. This will help you develop a Critical Writing Style.
Drafting An Introduction And Conclusion
Draft an Introduction And Conclusion
Preparing Your Reference List
Prepare the reference list. For Oxford and Harvard systems in particular, see Reference List.
You might also like to have a look at the VU Library resources on referencing. After a break, Revise And Proofread, using the Essay Checklist.
APA Style Guide – 5th Ed (VU)
Australian Guide to Legal Citation (AGLC) (VU)
Harvard Style Guide (VU)
Oxford Style Guide (VU)
Style Manuals & Referencing Guides (Web Reference Resources)
If you have any queries about academic writing, or on how this resource could be improved, feel free to leave a comment/ reply below!
