In the audiogram (mini podcast) our Learning Development Mentor helps students with their studying dilemmas. In this episode a student asks "What are the basics of academic writing?" Further information about academic writing can be found on the skills hub.

Hi  Mya here, a University Learning Development mentor. I'm also a student at the uni, and I'm here to share my top tips with you today. Let's dive right into it with today's theme of:  "Top mark essays and how to get them". So let's get an answer to today's burning question "What are the basics of academic writing?" 

 If you need a way of remembering the key points to academic writing, then think of PLEAT. What is PLEAT, I hear you ask. The P stands for Problem, break down the specific problem at hand into different topics and tasks, you could also write down any keywords associated with this. In a literature review you identify relevant literature for this task and read up on relevant journal articles. E stands for evaluation, using source searching skills we taught you previously evaluate how relevant and useful your sources are. Are they reinforcing or contradicting your point? Do they use any relevant theories? A is the longest point, which is to both Analyse and interpret your information. Here, you identify all your key points and sources and start planning them into paragraphs. Look at any contexts surrounding your topic, this would be cultural, social, or economic. Finally, T which is Tie it all together. Look at your planned paragraphs and see how they tie in with the question or task at hand, and how all your points relate together.

Don’t forget, answers to more questions, links to show notes, resources and more are all available on the Skills Hub. Simply type skills hub Northampton into google and away you go!