Write here, right now

By Eliza.Compton, 18 May, 2023
Tips on composing everything from academic journal articles and book pitches to exam questions
Write here, right now
Tips on composing everything from academic journal articles and book pitches to exam questions
Young female academic writing on laptop illustrating spotlight on academic writing

For academics, faculty and staff at any level, writing skills can be the difference between being published, funded or employed, or your hard work going unrecognised. From producing journal articles and peer-review reports to writing grant proposals and exam questions, the hard graft of crafting meaningful prose reaches every aspect of university life. This collection of resources looks at how to write for different contexts and audiences in research and teaching, as well as how to manage a routine and tap into creativity for better results

By Miranda Prynne, 3 May, 2023
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To answer the common question posed by researchers, ‘how can I improve my academic writing?’, Anne Wilson outlines three simple steps that can help
Reading time
3minutes
Writing for academic journals
Resources
By Eliza.Compton, 3 August, 2022
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Not every comment in a peer review report will be positive, but it is possible to highlight weaknesses and errors in a journal article while being constructive. After all, behind every manuscript are authors who have ploughed time and effort into the submission
Reading time
3minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 2 February, 2023
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The abstract is arguably the most important element of a scholarly article, so it should be informative, meaningful and impactful. Michael Willis gives two objectives, and practical tips, to keep in mind
Improvement strategies
Resources
By miranda.prynne, 5 August, 2021
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Parag Dandgey shares creative-writing activities designed to improve students’ critical-thinking skills by developing their understanding of multiple perspectives
Reading time
4minutes
By Miranda Prynne, 27 April, 2022
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Grappling with a problem? Try writing a poem about it to aid your subconscious in finding a solution. Sam Illingworth explains how
Reading time
3minutes
How to craft better research and grant proposals
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By Miranda Prynne, 27 June, 2022
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To write a successful grant proposal, academics need to focus on the relevant details that will help sell their research idea to the reviewer and this requires a shift of mindset, as Kaycie Butler explains
Reading time
3minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 9 May, 2023
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Scientific publishing includes not just the manuscript but also data, computer code and lab protocols. Here, Laurent Heirendt shares practical advice that your research institute can follow to publish research results that are reproducible
Reading time
4minutes
How to pitch a book and get published
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By Eliza.Compton, 7 March, 2022
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An interesting concept is not enough to guarantee your book will get published. In crafting a pitch, it helps to be succinct and targeted and to show an ability to deliver
Reading time
4minutes
By dene.mullen, 14 April, 2023
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From conducting in-depth interviews to telling the whole story, Sam Russell provides top tips for crafting a compelling narrative that will appeal to awards panels
Reading time
4minutes
Writing for mainstream audiences
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By Eliza.Compton, 6 March, 2023
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Scientists, if you communicate only with people at your own level of expertise, how will you recruit the best and brightest, engage the public and change the world? Kylie Ahern takes ‘dumbing down’ to task
Reading time
4minutes
Writing assessment and feedback
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By Miranda Prynne, 14 March, 2023
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Misapprehensions about responding to and grading writing can prevent educators using writing as an effective pedagogical tool. Rolf Norgaard and Stephanie Foster set out to dispel them
Reading time
5minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 28 April, 2023
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Writing exam questions is a meticulous, complex and creative part of teaching. The habit of using a standardised process will make this frequent task more manageable, writes Fiona Lifen Liu
Reading time
3minutes