Features of academic writing

Serious tone
Clear process of reasoning
Objective
Exploratory — exploring the topic
Evidence based — weigh up the evidence rather
than expressing thoughts/feelings
 Has an argument: 'A coherent series of reasons,
statements, or facts intended to support or
establish a point of view.'
Located in existing body of knowledge
Getting started
• Draw diagrams: spidergrams, wheel
diagrams
• Brainstorm ideas on paper
• Brainstorm on the computer
• List your ideas
• Talk! Say your ideas out loud
• Write questions to get you thinking
• Start with the section you know most about

Writing a draft
• For your eyes only: no one else will read it
• It's just a first draft so it doesn't matter
• Don't worry about writing correctly for now
• Don't worry about missing bits out— you
can fill them in later
• Write quickly and let the ideas flow

Where to get further help

• S3 website: Writing well:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/?id=26
• The Royal Literary Fund: Writing
http://www.rlf.org.uk/fellowshipscheme/wri
ti ng/essayguide.cfm
• See videos from a Royal Literary Fund Fellow
and book a free tutorial:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/tldu/studentskills/rlf
Other workshops
• 23rd October 3pm—4pm
How do I plan my essay?
• 30th October 3pm—4pm
How do I write a good essay?