Academic Writing Skills

Academic Writing skills for academic English students at university. All the important elements / functions of writing academically.

Argument Essays

Level: ***** [B1/B2]   / 

Here are 10 argument essays based on a variety of subjects. Five essays are general texts without sources and five are Academic texts with academic sources . Click here

SPSE Essays

Level: ***** [B1/B2]   / 

How to write an SPSE essay with academic sources. The example focuses on a four paragraph text: Situation, Problem, Solution, and Evaluation. Click here

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 Academic Style: 20 key features to writing 

This lesson brainstorms academic style / formality in writing. Teacher feedbacks using the visual highlighting and explaining the concepts and then there are 10x practice exercises from informal to formal.  Time: 60mins  Example  Level ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Webpage link. / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

 

 

Academic Writing: Useful websites for writing

 Here are some good websites we recommend to our students to use when writing essays or doing written work in class. These sites help with key skills of paraphrasing and summarising. Webpage link

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Error Correction Code: Practice & Answers

Some EAP teachers use an error correction code when marking students’ work. This practice sheet help students identify the mistake and use the correction code to correct it. Webpage link.

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  Error Correction Code 2: Difficult Error correction Practice & Answers

Teachers or students: This is a much harder worksheet of 12 sentences with 3 or 4 mistakes in each sentence. Students identify the mistake and try to correct it. Webpage link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

   

Academic Language: Hedging / cautious Language

Teachers or students. A number of exercise to practise using hedging language to demonstrate caution. Webpage link.

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Reading & Research Skills: What is a credible source?

This lesson highlights the key components of identifying credible and reliable resources. It includes a check list on 20 different sources and students have to decide whether these are credible or not? Page link  Level ***** [B1/B2] 

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The C.R.A.A.P Test – a guide to evaluating sources – UoSA

This University of South Australia video explains what is the C.R.A.A.P Test and how to use it to evaluate all types of information. This worksheet helps students to understand what is considered a ‘credible’ source and how to check this using an evaluation tool Example. Level: ***** [B2/C1]  /  Video [03.17]   /  TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

 

 

Credible Sources: The Academic Journal Peer Review Process – NC State University

This NC State university video explains how an academic scholar submits a research paper to a journal publishing company and the full process the article goes through before it is published. This listening and worksheet helps students to understand what is considered a credible source and why. Example  Level: ***** [B2/C1]  /  Video [03.15]  / Webpage link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP 

  

Referencing: Harvard Referencing Worksheet

Two part worksheet that is a paragraph and reference list.  Students have to put in the correct in-text reference. The second part is a reference list exercise where students have to put the sections in the correct order. A nice lesson to introduce students to referencing and becoming aware of key referencing principles.  Level ***** [B1/B2/C1]  Example  / Webpage link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

Referencing: APA 6th Edition Referencing Worksheet

Two part worksheet that is a paragraph and reference list. Students have to put in the correct in-text reference. The second part is a reference list exercise where students have to put the sections in the correct order. A nice lesson to introduce students to referencing and becoming aware of key referencing principles.  Level ***** [B1/B2/C1]   Example  / Webpage link  / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

 

Reporting verbs: worksheet 

 Use the verbs in the box to put into the sentences in the worksheet. Each sentence has a description of the type of verb needed. Check the grammar of the verb too! Web page link

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Academic Voice: worksheet 

 Sometimes students wonder what is academic stance / voice and find it difficult to identify how it is used. This document provides a clear example of how a writer adds their own voice through language. Webpage link. 

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Paraphrasing Lesson – how to paraphrase effectively!

 It starts by discussing the differences between quotation, paraphrase and summary. It takes students through the basics of identifying keywords, finding synonyms and then changing the grammatical structure. There is plenty of practice all with efficient teacher notes. Level ***** [B1/B2/C1]   Example / Webpage link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

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    Writing a paragraph – using quotes about smoking

Students are given a worksheet with nine quotes taken from The New Scientist, BBC News, The Economist, etc… and choose only three. They use these three quotes to write a paragraph trying to paraphrase the quotes and produce a cohesion piece of writing. Level ***** [B1/B2/C1]   Example  / Webpage link /  TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

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Paraphrasing: writing worksheet 

This worksheet provides paraphrasing practice. There are five sentences taken from an academic text and students paraphrase the sentences to keep the same meaning. Includes possible answers. Webpage link.

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Summary Writing: The causes of the 2008 Financial Crisis

 The text discusses the background history of the financial crash through focusing on prime and sub-prime mortgage lending. It then explores the key reasons behind the profitable trading systems of that time, highlighting the collapse and then the following banking regulations that were introduced in 2009/2010. Webpage link. / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP 

 

 

5x Academic Writing Summaries

AMAZING VALUE – buy all these texts and summary writings in one book. All these tests have been written by Academic English UK. Webpage link. TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

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Critical Thinking: questions to support critical reading

This information sheet provides a range of questions that should be applied when reading any academic text. The answers to these question should be then applied in writing. Webpage link.

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Argument Essay: Home Education

 Question: ‘Should parents educate their children at home?’ This is the full lesson from the images above. The essay can be used in a number of different ways – see the lesson plan. Words: 440  Level ***** [C2/B1] / Webpage link.

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Argument essay: University

Question: Is a university degree worth the cost? This essay investigates the positive of university life and qualifications against high debt and competitive job markets. Words: 633  Level ***** [B1/B2] / Webpage link. / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

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Argument essay: Obesity (academic)

Question: Is obesity a disease? This essay highlights the key evidence of why obesity is classified as a disease and also argues it is preventable and based on lifestyle choice. Sources:9 / Words:765 / Level ***** [B2/C1]   / Webpage Link. / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

  

 

10x argument essays

AMAZING VALUE – buy all ten essay lessons in one PDF book.

5x general and 5x Academic argument essays / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

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Critical Review: Structure information sheet 

This information sheet provides information on how to structure a critical review. It includes the differences between descriptive and evaluative writing. Monash University / Webpage Link.

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Critical Review: Model essay analysis 

This information sheet provides information on  what makes a good critical review. It analyses a sample essay and highlights critical review academic style and conventions. Monash University / Webpage Link.

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Parallelism Worksheet: Free Download

This worksheet provides an explanation of the key concepts of ‘parallelism’ and provides an error correction exercise to practise the key concepts. An awareness of this writing element really helps establish unity and readability in sentence structure. Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1] / Webpage link.  TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

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Introductions: How to write an academic introduction.

This lesson / worksheet presents the key sections to an academic introduction. It then focuses on highlighting those key sections in three model introductions with particular attention to the thesis (question / topics / stance) and finally finishes with writing an introduction using a range of titles. Example Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1]   / Website link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

Thesis Statements: How to write a thesis statement.

This lesson / worksheet presents the key sections to an academic introduction. It focuses on different writing structures using words like however, although, despite and then includes a writing task. Students write three thesis statements using the introduction models. Example Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1]   / Webpage link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

  

Reading & Writing Argument: Essay [Mergers & Acquisitions]

Topic: Mergers & Acquisitions. Two short texts (included) – students read the texts, make notes of key arguments,  and write a 400-600 word essay using in-text referencing and paraphrasing. The essay should follow (block / point-to-point structure) more info. Lesson includes teacher notes, outline & a model essay. Example Level ***** [B2/C1] / Webpage link.  / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

  

 

Topic Sentences – the basics

This lesson takes students through ‘noticing’ how a topic sentence links to development. Then writing topic sentences from the content of paragraph and then writing the paragraph from a topic sentence..  Time: 60mins    Level ***** [B1/B2/C1]   / Webpage link. / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

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Linking Words Lesson: Free Download

This lesson provides valuable practice in improving formal linking words. Students start by discussing formal linking words, followed by a kinaesthetic matching activity and finishing with sentence worksheet.  Level: ***** [B1/B2/C1]    / webpage link

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Linking: Cohesion & Coherence Worksheet – AEUK

This worksheet helps to consolidate what is ‘cohesion’ with a focus on pronouns, word forms and summary nouns. It also includes a coherence sheet on key connections and two practice activities. Example  Level: ***** [B2/C1]  / Webpage Link / TEACHER MEMBERSHIP

 

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Argument Essay Titles

Write an essay & send it to us to check your grammar, vocabulary and academic style.

Look at these topics and think of 2 arguments for and 2 against. Write a two-sided argument essay of 4 paragraphs (introduction, 2x main body paragraphs, conclusion) and approximately 250 words. Check  Argument essay guide.

To what extent do you agree…

  1. University should be free
  2. Animal testing is necessary
  3. Prisons don’t work
  4. Video games encourage violence
  5. Euthanasia should be legal
  6. Nuclear power is a bad investment
  7. Governments are over-spending
  8. Marriage is becoming old-fashioned
  9. Money is the key to happiness
  10. Consumerism is negative
  11. Social media is changing how we communicate
  12. Military service should be compulsory
  13. Education is the key to reduce crime
  14. Parents should choose the careers for their children
  15. Brexit is a mistake.
  16. There is no other life in the universe
  17. GMOs are dangerous and should be banned
  18. More should be done to control Superstar Corporations
  19. Climate Change is a myth
  20. Academic research can’t be trusted

SPSE (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation) Essay Titles

 

Look at these topics and think of 2 problems / 2 solutions to these problems and evaluate whether the solution will be effective. Write 250 words and use sources where possible – then send it to us. Check SPSE Essay guide.

  1. Plagiarism at university
  2. Artificial intelligence
  3. Global Migration
  4. Climate Change
  5. Terrorism
  6. Unemployment
  7. Cyber crime
  8. Depression
  9. Food security
  10. Discrimination
  11. Gender inequality
  12. Off-shore banking
  13. Debt
  14. Superstar Companies
  15. Brexit