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Academic Writing Basics for Beginners
A plain introduction to the tone, clarity and structure expected in essays and reports, with practical habits for new students writing for a course.
Study and Digital Skills
Writing and Research Skills
Writing clearly and finding trustworthy sources.
Avoiding Plagiarism: What Counts and How to Prevent It
Learn what counts as plagiarism, how quoting, paraphrasing and acknowledging sources differ, and practical habits that keep your written work honest.
Citation Styles Explained
Compare author-date, numbered and footnote citation systems, see how they differ in practice, and learn why choosing one style and applying it consistently matters.
Evaluating Sources: Questions to Ask
A practical checklist for judging a source on authority, purpose, evidence and date, with sensible questions to ask before relying on any article or website.
Paragraph Structure with the PEEL Pattern
Learn how the PEEL pattern splits a paragraph into point, evidence, explanation and link, with a worked example and tips for adapting it to your own writing.
Preparing a Short Oral Presentation
A step-by-step approach to structuring, rehearsing and delivering a five-minute talk, with advice on slides, timing, nerves and handling questions.
Primary and Secondary Sources Compared
Understand the difference between primary and secondary sources, how researchers use each kind, and why the same document can be either depending on the question.
Proofreading Tips That Catch More Errors
Practical proofreading tips: read aloud, change the format, take a break and check one error type at a time to catch mistakes your eyes skip over.
Searching Library Databases Effectively
Learn how to choose keywords, combine them with Boolean operators and use filters to narrow academic database searches and find relevant sources faster.
Structuring an Essay from Plan to Draft
Follow a working sequence for essay structure: analyze the question, build an outline, then draft the introduction, body sections and conclusion in a sensible order.
Writing a Clear Thesis Statement
Learn how to state a debatable central claim in one or two sentences, with examples of weak and strong thesis statements and a simple way to test yours.
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