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Academic writing

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Introduction

Are you unsure how to write in an academic style?

This guide will look at:

  • getting started with academic writing
  • the TIME model
  • writing the assignment
  • WEED paragraphs

This is aimed at students who may be unfamiliar the basics of academic writing.

Workshops

Upcoming sessions:

This workshop is aimed at students who may be unfamiliar with the basics of academic writing. The session covers:  

  • the characteristics of academic writing   
  • common challenges and strategies to overcome them 
  • the use of appropriate language 

 

You do not have to book onto the workshop as attendance is on a first come first served basis.

If you need further information or any adjustments to fully access our sessions, please contact libraryhelp@tees.ac.uk in advance. 

 

Previously recorded session:

Feedback

We are very interested to hear your views about the workshop you attended and would welcome your feedback. Please complete the form below:

Online tutorial for academic writing

Click on the image below to work through the online tutorial for academic writing. There are activities for you to take part in along the way.

 Link to online tutorial

Academic writing: visual guide

TIME model

clock logo

Time Model

  • Writing an assignment takes time, more time than you may expect.  Just because you find yourself spending many weeks on an assignment doesn’t mean that you’re approaching it in the wrong way.
  • It also takes time to develop the skills to write well, so don’t be discouraged if your early marks aren’t what you’d hoped for.  Use the feedback from your previous assignments to improve.
  • Different types of assignments require different styles, so be prepared for the need to continue to develop your skills.

We’ve broken down TIME into 4 key elements of academic writing: Targeted, In-depth, Measured and Evidence-based.

time togos

Target logo

Targeted

Your assignment needs to be targeted.  It should:

  • Be focused on the questions and criteria
  • Make a decision
  • Follow an argument

 

in-depth logo

In-Depth

Your assignment needs to be in-depth.  You should consider your questions and criteria thoroughly, thinking about all possible aspects, and including the argument both for and against different viewpoints.

You should:

  • Identify topic areas
  • Research
  • Plan your assignment
  • Think about your introduction and conclusion

measured logo

Measured

An academic writing style is measured. By this, we mean that it’s:

  • Cautious
  • Emotionally neutral
  • Formal – written in the third person and in full sentences

evidence-based logo

Evidence-based

Your assignment needs to be evidence-based. You should:

  • Reference all the ideas in your work
  • Paraphrase your evidence
  • Apply critical thinking to your evidence

Once you’ve found all your evidence, and have decided what to say in each section, you need to write it up as paragraphs.  Each paragraph should be on a single topic, making a single point.  A paragraph is usually around a third of a page. 

We find Godwin’s (2014) WEED model very helpful for constructing paragraphs.

W is for What

You should begin your paragraph with the topic or point that you’re making, so that it’s clear to your lecturer.  Everything in the paragraph should fit in with this opening sentence.

E is for Evidence 

The middle of your paragraph should be full of evidence – this is where all your references should be incorporated.  Make sure that your evidence fits in with your topic.

E is for Examples

Sometimes it’s useful to expand on your evidence.  If you’re talking about a case study, the example might be how your point relates to the particular scenario being discussed.

D is for Do

You should conclude your paragraph with the implications of your discussion.  This gives you the opportunity to add your commentary, which is very important in assignments which require you to use critical analysis. 

So, in effect, each paragraph is like a mini-essay, with an introduction, main body and conclusion.

Allow yourself some TIME to proofread your assignment.  You’ll probably want to proofread it several times. 

You should read it through at least once for sense and structure, to see if your paragraphs flow.  Check that your introduction matches the content of your assignment.  You’ll also want to make sure that you’ve been concise in your writing style. 

You’ll then need to read it again to check for grammatical errors, typos and that your references are correct.

It’s best if you can create some distance from your assignment by coming back to it after a few days. It’s also often easier to pick out mistakes if you read your work aloud.

Using the WEED model for paragraphs

At Teesside we recommend Godwin’s (2019) WEED model for constructing paragraphs.

Godwin. J. (2019) Planning your essay. 3rd edn. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.

Here is an example of a WEED paragraph:

A paragraph is a group of sentences that share the same idea. Paragraphs are used to structure writing and make it easier for the reader to follow (Copus, 2009, p.51). Godfrey (2016, p.84) advises that even though paragraphs should have a beginning, middle and end they should be focused on one idea and be organised with a logical flow to signpost the reader through a piece of work. When planning a piece of writing, a decision needs to be made on which ideas to include. Different paragraphs highlight when the writing is changing direction, for example to introduce a new point or to consider a contrasting view in a discussion (Copus, 2009, p.51). Therefore, when used effectively, paragraphs can develop each of the important points in an assignment.

Here is the same paragraph broken down into its WEED elements:

What

A paragraph is a group of sentences that share the same idea.

Evidence/examples 

Godfrey (2016, p.84) advises that even though paragraphs should have a beginning, middle and end they should be focused on one idea and be organised with a logical flow to signpost the reader through a piece of work. When planning a piece of writing, a decision needs to be made on which ideas to include. Different paragraphs highlight when the writing is changing direction, for example to introduce a new point or to consider a contrasting view in a discussion (Copus, 2009, p.51). 

Do

Therefore, when used effectively, paragraphs can develop each of the important points in an assignment.

Further reading

Click on the image to see additional useful resources

Link to reading list

Using material on this page