Academic Writing Essentials

Core skills and techniques for clear, confident academic writing.

The Claim–Evidence–Reasoning Model for University Essays

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The Claim–Evidence–Reasoning model is a simple academic writing method that helps you build clear, logical, and convincing arguments. It asks you to make a clear point (the claim), support it with facts or examples (the evidence), and explain how that evidence proves your point (the reasoning). Using this structure can help you turn vague ideas … Read more

How to Write Critically in Academic Writing (Not Just Describe)

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If you’ve ever received feedback like “this is too descriptive” or “you need more critical analysis,” you’re not alone. Many students, especially those writing essays, dissertations, or theses, struggle to move beyond simply explaining what sources say. But in academic writing, description is not enough. To achieve high marks, you need to demonstrate critical thinking. … Read more

Using Plain English in Academic Writing

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What Is Plain English? Academic writing is often seen as a realm of complex vocabulary, long-winded sentences, and intimidating jargon. But does it really have to be that way? Increasingly, scholars, universities, and publishers are embracing a different approach—Plain English. Plain English doesn’t mean oversimplified or unprofessional writing. It means writing that is clear, concise, … Read more

Common ESL Writing Mistakes in Academic Work

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Writing in a second language is no easy feat, especially when it comes to academic work. Many ESL (English as a Second Language) students face unique challenges that can make their writing seem unclear or less polished—even when their ideas are strong. From grammar slips to word choice errors, these mistakes can distract from the … Read more

What Is Signposting Language? (And Why It’s Essential in Academic Writing)

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When writing an essay, thesis, or report, your goal isn’t just to present information—it’s to communicate it clearly. That means guiding your reader through your argument or discussion in a way that’s easy to follow. That’s where signposting language comes in. In academic writing, signposting refers to words and phrases that help readers navigate your … Read more

101 Examples of Similes in Sentences

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Similes are powerful tools in writing and speech that help us describe things more vividly by making comparisons. They use the words “like” or “as” to show how one thing is similar to another, painting a picture in the reader’s or listener’s mind. Instead of saying “she was very brave,” a simile might say, “she … Read more

The Ten Main Types of Essay and How to Answer Them

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In the world of academic writing, essays serve as a fundamental medium for expressing ideas, analyzing concepts, and engaging with diverse topics. Yet, within this seemingly simple form of writing lies a ton of different types of essay and it can be challenging to understand what the requirements of a given paper actually are. If … Read more

Free Essay Outline Generator

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Get your essay off to the best possible start with our 100% free essay outline generator. Staring at a blank page wondering how to get your essay writing process off to the right start? With deadlines looming and expectations high, crafting a well-structured essay can often feel like an insurmountable challenge. Thankfully, Vappingo’s revolutionary essay … Read more

150 Examples of Great Research Topics for All Subjects

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If you can’t find inspiration in these 150 examples of great research topics, you’ve got no chance! If you’re about to embark on a new research project, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed at what lies ahead. Before you start to finalize and write your research question, you’ll need to identify a broad research topic and identify … Read more

What’s the Difference Between an Argumentative Essay and a Persuasive Essay

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One common mistakes students make when choosing an essay type for an assignment is failing to recognize that there is a fundamental difference between an argumentative essay and a persuasive essay. Argumentative and persuasive essays often get lumped together, but they serve completely different purposes. This article aims to clear the fog surrounding these two … Read more

150 Examples of Persuasive Essay Topics That Catch Readers’ Attention

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These examples of persuasive essay topics can help you choose a compelling essay topic that captures people’s attention. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of persuasive essay topics and prompts from various areas of life, addressing current social, political, and ethical issues. This list is designed to help you find relevant subjects for your … Read more

150 Examples of Argumentative Essay Topics

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These examples of argumentative essay topics can help you choose a compelling and contentious subject that allows you to express opinions, defend viewpoints, and engage in critical discourse. In this comprehensive guide, we present a curated list of 150 examples of argumentative essay topics that span various domains of life and touch upon the most … Read more

The Ultimate Guide to Writing Expository Essays

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Welcome to our comprehensive guide on writing an expository essay. In this article, we will provide you with expert essay tips and step-by-step instructions to help you craft a high-quality expository essay that engages your readers and communicates your ideas effectively. Whether you’re a student looking for guidance or a writer seeking to enhance your … Read more

Is “et al.” Italicized in Academic Writing?

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You’ve likely encountered “et al.” in academic papers and textbooks. But how should it be formatted? Should “et al.” be italicized in academic writing? This quick and simple guide explores the correct formatting of the et al. abbreviation across different citation styles. What Does et al. Mean? “Et al.” is an abbreviation for the Latin … Read more

How to Write a Research Question the SMART Way

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Crafting a research question is the foundational step in any research endeavor. A well-structured research question not only guides your study but also sets the stage for a successful research project. In this guide, we’ll explore how to write a research question using the SMART criteria, ensuring that it is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and … Read more

70 Examples of Excellent Thesis Statements for Essays in All Subjects

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Looking at examples of thesis statements can be helpful when you’re crafting a thesis statement to guide your essay. We’ve already looked at how to write a thesis statement and the thesis statement formula. In this article, we’ll present a ton of examples of solid thesis statements for a range of different subjects. If you’ve … Read more

Argumentative Essay Template and Example Outline

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An argumentative essay template and example argumentative essay outline to make writing argumentative essays a breeze! If you’re anything like most students, it’s likely you skip the essay outline part of the research process and jump straight into writing the dastardly thing. However, taking the time to plan out the main flow and points of … Read more

Is Academic Proofreading Cheating? Here’s What the Universities Have to Say

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Is academic proofreading cheating? This question raises its head regularly. In this article, we take a look at what the universities have to say. Dissertation proofreading services and essay editing are often (falsely) associated with cheating. Yes, there can be a fine line between being helpful and doing someone else’s work on their behalf. However, … Read more

Four Crucial Things to Consider When Revising an Essay

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The prospect of revising an essay probably doesn’t fill you with joy. But it’s incredible how many students rely on the first draft of their essay and fail to invest time refining and perfecting it. Here’s a fundamental truth: Absolutely nobody produces writing that is perfect the first time around. In fact, the most established … Read more