Route
Academic Writing
University of Glasgow tips for improving academic writing: planning, clarity, and working in a second language (international-student friendly).
Learning pathway
Academic Writing: Process & Organisation
Develop a structured academic writing process from analysing the task and planning ideas through paragraph organisation, revision and improvement.
Academic Writing Process – Overview
Analysing assignments & outcomes
Outlining & structure
Paragraph structure (PEEL/MEAL)
Guided Practice
Revising & rewriting
Prefer to choose your own route?
Use the Academic Writing topics in the left-hand navigation to explore the full curriculum.
This pathway is a recommended learning route, not a restriction on what you can study.
Learning pathway
Academic Writing: Source-Based Writing
Develop skills for paraphrasing, summarising, quoting, citing and integrating academic sources effectively.
Paraphrase techniques
Transform language while preserving meaning.
Summarising accurately
Condense key ideas with balance and fidelity.
Guided Practice
Model target language/skills with scaffolds; short controlled tasks with feedback.
Guided Practice
Model target language/skills with scaffolds; short controlled tasks with feedback.
Quoting & citation
Use quotations and cite correctly.
Integrating multiple sources
Combine voices to support a point.
Prefer to choose your own route?
Use the Academic Writing topics in the left-hand navigation to explore the full curriculum.
This pathway is a recommended learning route, not a restriction on what you can study.
Learning pathway
Academic Writing: Argument & Critical Thinking
Develop thesis-led academic arguments by building claims, evaluating evidence, considering alternative positions and responding critically.
Research question & stance
Define a focused question and position.
Claims, reasons & evidence
Build arguments with relevant support.
Evaluating evidence
Assess quality, relevance and sufficiency.
Bias & assumptions
Identify hidden biases and premises.
Counterarguments & rebuttals
Address opposing views credibly.
Guided Practice
Model target language/skills with scaffolds; short controlled tasks with feedback.
Prefer to choose your own route?
Use the Academic Writing topics in the left-hand navigation to explore the full curriculum.
This pathway is a recommended learning route, not a restriction on what you can study.
Learning pathway
Academic Writing: Data Commentary & Visuals
Develop skills for describing, interpreting and evaluating data and integrating figures, tables and other visuals into academic writing.
Describing trends & comparisons
Report changes, contrasts and rankings.
Referring to figures & tables
Label, reference and integrate visuals.
Guided Practice
Model target language/skills with scaffolds; short controlled tasks with feedback.
Cautious language & quantification
Use hedging and precise measures.
Integrating visuals into text
Align narrative with visual evidence.
Prefer to choose your own route?
Use the Academic Writing topics in the left-hand navigation to explore the full curriculum.
This pathway is a recommended learning route, not a restriction on what you can study.
Learning pathway
Academic Writing: Style & Editing
Develop clear and precise academic writing through appropriate register, cohesion, grammar, concision, proofreading and editing.
Formal style & register
Maintain objective, precise academic language.
Clarity & concision
Remove redundancy; prefer direct phrasing.
Grammar for precision
Tense/aspect, agreement and modification.
Guided Practice
Model target language/skills with scaffolds; short controlled tasks with feedback.
Proofreading & editing strategies
Systematic checks for errors and flow.
Prefer to choose your own route?
Use the Academic Writing topics in the left-hand navigation to explore the full curriculum.
This pathway is a recommended learning route, not a restriction on what you can study.
Learning pathway
Academic Writing: Peer Review & Feedback
Develop skills for giving constructive academic feedback, responding to feedback and using review to improve written work.
Peer Review & Editing – Overview
Overview for Peer Review & Editing.
Guided Practice
Model target language/skills with scaffolds; short controlled tasks with feedback.
Independent Practice & Reflection
Freer application to authentic tasks; quick reflection and improvement actions.
Guided Practice
Model target language/skills with scaffolds; short controlled tasks with feedback.
Independent Practice & Reflection
Freer application to authentic tasks; quick reflection and improvement actions.
Prefer to choose your own route?
Use the Academic Writing topics in the left-hand navigation to explore the full curriculum.
This pathway is a recommended learning route, not a restriction on what you can study.