Writing is a process, not a skill to be perfected. These guides will help users navigate various academic writing tasks.
The Writing Process
- Understanding Assignment Guidelines
- Gathering Preliminary Evidence
- Brainstorming
- Planning
- Developing an Outline
- Drafting
- Revising
- Editing
- Proofreading
Research Writing
- Introduction to Research Writing: The CaRS Model
- Writing Research Articles: The IMRaD Model
- Introduction to Scholarly Citation
Writing an Abstract
Whether applying to present at a conference or producing a research article, you will need to write an abstract summarizing your work. Abstracts help people decide whether they want to read your work or attend your conference presentation. Consider the following when drafting an abstract:
Length
Keep it short. Abstracts are typically 150-200 words in length, however, this can vary. Be sure to check any submission requirements and follow instructions carefully.
Content
Abstracts typically provide a brief overview of what was done and why (purpose), how it was done (method), what was found (findings), and the implications and importance of the work (conclusions).
Format and Style
- Keep your abstract to one paragraph (two paragraphs for longer works).
- Avoid using personal pronouns like “I” and “we.”
- Write in clear, plain language avoiding technical jargon, especially if you are intending to share your work with a broad audience who may not be familiar with the topic of your work.
- Do not include quotations, tables, or figures. Include these in the body of your work where they can be fully discussed and explained.
- Make sure to proofread for grammatical and spelling errors.
Essay Writing
- Introductions
- Thesis Statements
- Complex Thesis Statements
- Topic Sentences
- Paragraph Structure
- Counterarguments
- Transitions
- Conclusions
Other Genres
Inclusivity in Academic Writing
- Let's Talk About Gender and Pronouns (created by MacEwan's Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity)
Writing Resources
Citation is an essential feature of academic writing. By engaging through citation with their scholarly context, students and researchers alike can advance their work. These citation guides help orient users toward some of the most commonly used citation styles.
Mêskanâs Tutorial: Citation and Scholarship: APA
Mêskanâs Tutorial: Citation and Scholarship: MLA
The Writing Centre offers APA and MLA mêskanâs tutorials on citation. Each tutorial has two parts. The first part introduces the rhetorical perspective on citation practices across the disciplines, and the second part introduces the underlying principles of APA or MLA style.
Artificial Intelligence - Student Guide
The purpose of this guide is to connect students with resources for developing critical-thinking in connection with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and applications. We hope this resource will further your understanding of generative AI tools and assist you with your critical and ethical decision-making surrounding use.
This guide is not an endorsement of the use of any of the applications described or mentioned. Check your course outline or clarify with your instructor before using generative AI in connection with an assignment.
Grammarly Premium is a free software tool provided to MacEwan students, staff, and faculty. To access it, go to https://grammarly.com and log in using your MacEwan credentials. If you are having trouble logging in to Grammarly, please contact the MacEwan Technology Support Help Centre.
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