In university, writing is the primary means of academic communication. This is the method used to explain ideas, share knowledge, and to communicate to others  your understanding and analysis as you navigate your learning journey. There are a variety of formats that you may use in this writing: essays, literature reviews, lab reports, case studies, statistical analysis, and more. In each case, the discipline that you are studying will indicate how this is to be done.

This page will share some writing aids that can help you with the various forms that are required.

Writing Aids for Academic Purposes

Writing Basics

Types of Academic Papers - differentiate the type of essay or paper required.Use a Position Paper outline - start with just one side
Argumentative Essay format - the basics to ensure you have all the elements.Argumentative Essay Organizer - a graphic way to put the elements together
Literature Reviews - Include all the elements of a good literature review.Academic Critiquing - Take a scholarly approach to article and paper analysis.
  
Essay Writing: Prepare an Outline - What every essay needs.Essay Planning Template - A structure to help you start writing a complex essay.
Structure your Essay with an Hourglass - Use a visual model to shape the structure of your essay.Terms in Essays (and Exams) -Define what the Instructor asks for in essays.
Write a Strong Thesis Statement - Consider the elements of a strong thesis statement.Thesis Statement Elements - Template for creating a robust thesis statement.
Paraphrasing and Summarizing - Paraphrasing/Summarizing for academic essays. 
Develop Strong Body Paragraphs - Use the PIE Method to structure an effective paragraph.Write effective Transitions - many ways to create transitions.
Subject-Verb Agreement - Find and fix subject-verb agreement errors.Restructuring Sentences - Use the paramedic method to restructure and improve sentences.
Self-Edit Your Grammar - Follow a plan to improve your grammar.Self Editing in Five Steps - Learn the basic skills of self-editing.
Use Dictionaries - There are many types of dictionaries, find out which ones you need and how you can use them.Error Logs for Editing - Error Logs will help you to correct your common errors.
Sample MLA Format - Use this template to determine the correct format for a paper that requires MLA.APA Citation Aid - Infographic that makes the major citation decisions easy.
KPU Library Citation and Plagiarism Guides - This page provides detailed guides to common citation formats, including APA, MLA, and Chicago style.English as a Second Language - This page provides links to a variety of topics including vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, reading, grammar, and writing.
  
Write an Abstract - Create a concise abstract for your academic paper.Write an Executive Summary - Create and format the executive summary of your report
  
Writing Lab Reports - Apply the key elements of Lab Reports to your writing.Write Effectively in Biology - Analyze and respond to questions in biology.

Visit the Virtual Writing Centre - This site is developed by the Kwantlen Polytechnic University English Department. The pages here offer numerous guides to help you with nagging grammar and style issues, self-directed exercises to practice, detailed information for writing about literature, various guides to citation formats, and helpful links to find more information on any of these topics.