looking to improve your written English communication skills
writing a short or long piece of academic text, such as thesis, dissertation, essay, research report, journal article, or a further text based on your existing writing
looking for help with planning and structure, and the flow of ideas from one section to the next, and indeed from one paragraph to the next!
looking to learn how to proofread and revise and edit your own work
interested in writing short or long fiction or creative nonfiction
Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure
Grammar
Punctuation
Spelling (British or American, depending on context)
Sentence structure, avoiding sentence fragments
Use of passive and active tense (I have eaten the sandwich/I ate the sandwich/the sandwich was eaten by me!)
Paragraph structure
when to use something and when not to, and when breaking the rules is the best thing you can do
Essay-writing skills
Essay structure (up to and including doctoral dissertation level)
Avoiding plagiarism
Paraphrasing and quoting
Citation methods
Reference lists and bibliographies
Synthesis of ideas: combining of information from more than one source with your own ideas and opinions
Effective use of language
Answering questions
Reading and understanding questions
Formulating effective responses appropriate to the question and the context in which it is being asked
Reading texts
Critical reading, comprehension, and analysis of text
Interpreting what is happening on the page; picking out main themes
Strategies to help you enjoy reading
Planning and research skills
Planning an essay
Research methods, including finding and accessing resources
Strategies for reading resources (websites, books, journals, newspapers, multimedia)
Note-taking skills
Managing and storing resources
Creative writing
Writing prompts to help you get started
Brainstorming
Planning
Writing techniques for short and long fiction
characterisation and imagery
Your voice and story
Guidance to help you find your own writing voice
Strategies to help you tell your own story
Proofreading and editing skills
Grammar, spelling, and punctuation
Sentence and paragraph structures
Avoiding congestion and awkward syntax
Advice on final structure
Review of content to ensure consistency and progression of argument
Strategies for doing your own proofreading and editing next time
