Academic writing guides
One of the challenges of studying is understanding academic language and writing styles. OUA offers students the opportunity to develop their writing skills through:
- SMARTHINKING to get feedback on your assignment drafts to help develop your writing skills
- Gateway to Academic Literacy - see below
- IELTS Academic Writing for international students
Gateway to Academic Literacy: Macquarie University
This academic writing guide demystifies academic writing terms, lets you practise with sample essay questions and even offers students tips on managing stress when writing essays and reports. You can also practise developing arguments and editing and presenting your work.
The Gateway to Academic Literacy has three modules:
1. Getting Started: Writing at University
This module will help you understand:
- What makes writing 'academic';
- What tutors will expect from your assignments;
- How to manage your time and avoid writing anxiety.
2. Writing Tutorials
Step by step tutorials and activity tasks will teach you how to:
- Analyse your assignment or essay question;
- Develop an argument and structure your writing;
- Edit and proofread your own work.
3. Sample Essays and Reports in Different Disciplines
Sample essays and reports with marker feedback and tutor comments will show you:
- What is expected of you in your academic writing tasks at university;
- How to present your research and analysis;
- How tutor feedback and comments can be used to develop your skills.
Accessing the Gateway to Academic Literacy
The Macquarie Gateway to Academic Literacy is available to all OUA students. Once you’ve enrolled, you can access these resources at any time by signing in to My OUA and selecting the Gateway to Academic Literacy page from the Student Updates section.
