Graduate school is a whirlwind of deadlines, research, and professional responsibilities, not to mention responsibilities such as family caregiving, side jobs, or community roles. Whether you're pursuing a grad degree to land that dream job or pursuing another degree after, academic writing is a skill that transcends the completion of your degree. It’s a tool for clear thinking and effective communication. Yet, many graduate students struggle to find time to refine this skill amid their packed class and work schedules. 

For that reason, here are some tips to start strengthening your academic writing.

1.- Ask for help

Grad Studies provides one-on-one writing support for theses, non-thesis projects,  and dissertations. Your discipline also has a dedicated liaison librarian who can help you with research strategies, finding relevant sources, and bringing your work to a higher level of professionalism. Find your librarian at the UNI Rod Library site.

2.- Write with Purpose, Not Just for Completion

Academic writing isn’t just about meeting formatting requirements. It’s about communicating ideas clearly and entering a scholarly conversation. Before you begin, ask:

• What is the main argument I want to convey?
• Who is my audience (professor, committee, practitioner)?
• What evidence supports my arguments?

3.- Use Templates and Frameworks

Busy students benefit from structure. Common frameworks like IMRaD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) or PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) can help organize your thoughts quickly.

4.- Keep a “Writing Toolbox”

A writing toolbox will help you save time and allow you to write more efficiently. Create a personal repository of:

• Sentence starters for analysis and critique.
• Transition phrases for coherence.
• Citation templates (APA, MLA, Chicago).

5.- Read Strategically

Don’t read everything, but read smart. To narrow down your sources, focus on abstracts, conclusions, and topic sentences to understand structure and tone. Annotate articles not just for content, but for how arguments are built.

6.- Use Technology Wisely

Leverage tools like:

• Grammarly or Microsoft Editor for grammar and clarity.
• Zotero or Mendeley for citation management.
• Speech-to-text apps, for drafting ideas on the go & quickly.
• Staff’s pick: Purdue OWL and Reciteworks are musts for us!

7.- Practice Micro-Writing

Practice writing in short time slots:

• Summarize a journal article in 150 words.
• Draft a paragraph explaining a concept to a non-expert.
• Reflect on a class discussion in a few sentences.
• Teach your knowledge or learnings to someone else!

These exercises build fluency and confidence.

8.- Seek Feedback, Not Just Grades

Ask for feedback on clarity, structure, and argument—not just correctness. Peer reviews, professors, tutors, and study groups offer valuable insights.

9.- Manage Your Time

It doesn’t have to be a marathon; a series of manageable steps can make your work easier and better. Time management is key to writing success. Here are a few strategies:

• Use the Pomodoro Technique: Work in focused 25-minute intervals with 5-minute breaks. It’s ideal for writing sprints.
• Block Writing Time: Schedule writing sessions like appointments—even a few minutes a day add up.
• Batch Tasks: Group similar tasks (e.g., outlining, editing, citing) to stay in flow.
• Set Mini-Deadlines: plan to complete small tasks by certain times in a day. Break up bigger tasks into smaller tasks that you can check off, showing your progress as you go.

10.- Final Thoughts

Academic writing is a reflection of your learning and your contribution to your field. Whether you're preparing a thesis, a literature review, or a simple class assignment, writing is another way of thinking that helps you clarify your ideas and share your voice.

Even if you’re short on time, small but consistent efforts can make a big difference. Treat writing as a skill to be honed.

11.- Feeling stuck and overwhelmed?

We might be able to help! Graduate Studies has put together the following writing events for you:

• Fall 2025 - Impromptu Speaking: Whether you are preparing to compete in the Grad College's 3MT competition, interviewing for jobs or want to sharpen your communication skills, this workshop is for you! Instructor Sadé Barfield will help you form a short presentation of your research that will take no more than three minutes to get through.
• Fall 2025 - Three Minute Thesis: The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. The 3MT® competition challenges graduate students to summarize their research in three minutes or less. More information, RSVP and the official rules can be found at UNI’S 3MT page.
• We will also have plans devoted to the practice of writing during Spring 2025, so be on the lookout for announcements from Graduate Studies about future events. 

12.- Further Reading

1. How Scholars Write by Aaron Ritzenberg and Sue Mendelsohn.
2. Grad School Essentials: A Crash Course in Scholarly Skills by Zachary Shore.
3. A Field Guide to Grad School: Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum by Jessica McCrory Calarco.