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 offers writing aids that can help you with the various forms that are required including: Academic Writing Terms; Types of Academic Papers; Getting Started with Your Writing; Editing Your Academic Writing; Science Writing; Citations Formats and Avoiding Plagiarism.

Writing Aids for Academic Purposes

Academic Writing Terms

Academic terms used by Instructors in assignments, projects, and exams.
You will be able to define essay and exam terms commonly found at university.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_AcademicTerms_WA.pdf

Types of Academic Papers 

Basic Essays “I need to write an essay for my class! My paper is due in two weeks!” 
Yes, but what type?
You will be able to differentiate the types of essays and papers required by university assignments.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Plan_AcademicEssays_SA.pdf

Argumentative / Persuasive essays providing topic information from research and critical thinking.
You will be able to develop the elements of basic argumentative essay.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_Essay_Argument_WA.pdf

Position and response papers present one side of an arguable position on a topic
You will be able to You will develop an outline for your Position Paper using this generic template
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_PositionPaperOutline_WA.pdf

Literature review: Elements for a good basic literature review. 
You will be able to write an academic literature review.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Research_LitReview_WA.pdf

Analyze articles and papers using a scholarly approach.
You will be able to critique scholarly articles.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Research_Critiquing_WA.pdf

Get Started on Your Writing

Organize your ideas before you write your argumentative essay.
You will be able to use a graphic organizer to lay out your argument.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_Essay_ArgumentOrganizer_WA.pdf

Outlines for academic essays are critical.
You will be able to start essay writing with an outline.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_EssayOutline_WA.pdf

Complex essay template to help you structure your writing.
You will be able to explore thesis statements and topics before writing essays.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_EssayPlan_Template_WA.pdf

Structure your essay with an hourglass visual model.
You will be able to create an outline for their essay using a basic template.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_HourglassEssayStructure_WA.pdf

Thesis statements guide all of the ideas contained within your paper. 
You will be able to write a strong thesis statement.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_ThesisStatement_WA.pdf

Thesis statement template for creating a robust thesis statement with all elements. 
You will be able to develop your thesis statement to structure your essay.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_ThesisElements_WA.pdf

Paraphrasing and Summarizing for academic writing.
You will be able to differentiate between paraphrasing and summarizing in your academic writing.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_ParaSum_WA.pdf

Body paragraph development with the PIE model.
You will be able to effectively introduce and integrate evidence into a body paragraph
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_DevelopParagraphs_WA.pdf

Transition writing in essays.
You will be able to use many ways to create transitions.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_Transitions_WA.pdf

Dictionary use to improve your writing.
You will be able to choose the appropriate dictionary to make good word choices.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Research_UseDictionaries_WA.pdf

Abstract creation for an academic paper.
You will be able to create a concise abstract for your academic paper.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_Abstract_WA.pdf

Executive summary writing for your business report.
You will be able to write a summary that clearly presents the findings of your project.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Write_ExecutiveSummary_WA.pdf

Editing Your Academic Writing

Subject-verb agreement finding and fixing errors. 
You will be able to locate and correct subject-verb disagreement errors.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Edit_SubjectVerbAgreement_WA.pdf

Paramedic method to restructure and improve sentences.
You will be able to restructure and condense complex sentences.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Edit_Paramedic_WA.pdf

Basic self-editing steps.
You will be able to follow a self-editing plan to improve your grammar.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Edit_Grammar_WA.pdf

Error logs to identify and correct frequently occurring writing errors.
You will be able to create an error log, note errors and corrections, and identify patterns of error.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Edit_UseErrorLogs_WA.pdf

Editing your final draft in Five Steps
You will be able to complete an efficient final edit of your essay.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Edit_Essay5Steps_WA.pdf

Science Writing

Biology writing skills.
You will be able to analyze and respond to questions in biology.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Science_BiologyWriting_WA.pdf

Lab Report writing.
You will be able to organize the key elements of Lab Reports.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Science_LabReport_WA.pdf

Citations Formats and Avoiding Plagiarism

APA Infographic Citation Aid Decision Tree.
You will be able to follow a decision tree for APA citations.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Research_Citation_APA_WA.pdf

MLA Essay Structure Sample.
You will be able to use this template to determine the correct format for an MLA paper.
https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Learning%20Centres/Research_SampleMLA_Format_WA.pdf

KPU Library Citation and Plagiarism Guides.
This page provides detailed guides to common citation formats, including APA, MLA, and Chicago style.
https://www.kpu.ca/library/citationsplagiarism

KPU Library Citation and Plagiarism Guides
This page provides detailed guides to common citation formats, including APA, MLA, and Chicago style.
https://www.kpu.ca/library/citationsplagiarism

Multilingual English Learners
This page provides links to a variety of topics including vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, reading, grammar, and writing.
https://www.kpu.ca/learningcentres/esl

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.

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.