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Writing Skills for University
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Writing Skills for University
From Day 1 to Dissertation

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November 2025 | 256 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

"What I appreciated most is how practical and accessible the content is. This book has genuinely helped me with my studies, and I would highly recommend it to any university student." - Abbigail, Student

From the first day of class to delivering their final project, this book helps students build all the undergraduate writing skills they'll need during their degree, with practical tools and advice they can use straight away.

It offers:

  • Everything in one place—from notetaking and structuring essays to writing reports, literature reviews and dissertation.
  • A clear path to better grades, so they know what to focus on and how to build their skills over time.
  • Tips for exams, including how to prepare and write under pressure.
  • Ethical ways to use AI tools to complement your skills.
  • Support for their wellbeing, with advice on managing stress and knowing when to ask for help.

This practical guide was designed for undergraduate students looking to build confidence in their writing and get better academic results.

Dr. Sue Reeves is the Head of Teaching and Learning within the School of Life and Health Sciences at the University of Roehampton.

Student Success is a series of essential guides for students of all levels. From how to think critically and write great essays to boosting your employability and managing your wellbeing, the Student Success series helps you study smarter and get the best from your time at university.

 
Introduction to Part 1. The Skills
 
Chapter 1: Getting Organised
 
Chapter 2: Being an Active Learner
 
Chapter 3: Reading Critically
 
Chapter 4: Academic Writing and Constructing Academic Arguments
 
Chapter 5: Referencing
 
Chapter 6: When to use AI and when not to use it
 
Chapter 7: Looking after yourself and asking for help
 
Introduction to Part 2: Written Work
 
Chapter 8: Writing Essays
 
Chapter 9: Writing Reports
 
Chapter 10: Critical Reviews
 
Chapter 11: Annotated Bibliographies
 
Chapter 12: Reflective writing, blogs, social media posts
 
Chapter 13: Writing in exams
 
Chapter 14: Reviewing your feedback so far
 
Introduction to Part 3: The Dissertation
 
Chapter 15: Getting started on your dissertation
 
Chapter 16: Writing your introduction
 
Chapter 17: Completing the literature review
 
Chapter 18: Writing Methodologies
 
Chapter 19: Planning the results chapter
 
Chapter 20: Discussions and conclusions
 
Chapter 21: Abstracts, appendices, editing and proof reading
 
Chapter 22: Preparing for a viva

Supplements

Study Skills hub
Visit our hub for free academic skills, wellbeing and employability resources from our new and bestselling guides, designed to support you from day one all the way through to graduation and beyond.

An excellent and extremely useful resource throughout my university studies.

This book is suitable for students at all stages and levels, from those just starting university to those working on major projects such as dissertations. I have personally been using it to support my dissertation, and the clear, step-by-step guidance has made the process far more manageable and less overwhelming.

The book covers a wide range of important topics, including academic writing skills, becoming an active learner, looking after yourself at university, using AI responsibly, and practical support with written work, layouts, and structure. The dissertation section is particularly valuable, offering clear frameworks and guidance that are easy to follow and apply.

What I appreciated most is how practical and accessible the content is. The frameworks provided throughout the book help break down complex academic tasks into clear, achievable steps.

Overall, this book has genuinely helped me with my studies, and I would highly recommend it to any university student looking for clear, supportive, and practical guidance from day one through to dissertation submission.

Abbigail Parkin
BSc Therapeutic Psychology student

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