CAW LibGuides: Top Tips for Becoming an Independent and Confident Writer

Becoming and independent and confident writer is a central outcome of your time at university. Writing is a key means through which your learning and understanding will be assessed. This resource gives you some important tips to get you started on your writing journey at Coventry University.  Make the most of the suggested action points as this will ensure you can maximise the benefits of the resources available to you.

Start by reflecting on your writing achievements (academic or working experience) that led you to this point.

CAW offers a toolkit of writing support services: online resources; academic writing development workshops;

single question drop-in sessions; one-to-one academic writing tutorials; and facilitated writing time sessions.  Use them wisely!

• Action point:  Understand all writing support services and how to use them: https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/CAWhomepage/CAWServices

There is no better starting point than attending lectures, seminars, lab sessions, etc. Utilise all the information your module lecturer makes available; they are experts in your discipline.  Write your own supplementary notes; they will be invaluable when writing your assignment. Engage with other students in your module; expand your knowledge, ideas, and confidence by getting to know others sharing your discipline interests.

• Action point:  engage with Aula for each of your modules.  The information in there is invaluable.  It will contain:
  • Your module guide – it contains your assignment brief that you have immediate access to;
  • Weekly materials for each session;
  • Updates and key information on your module;
  • Link to submit your formative and summative assignments.

Read through your assignment brief several times, check the meaning of the words, discuss your assignment brief with peers, and check your understanding of your assignment brief with your module lecturer.

• Action point:  Read or download CAW’s online resources:  https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/CAWhomepage/analysinganassignmentbrief

“Genre” is the type of writing assignment.  This can range from a standard academic essay, a report in the style of your discipline, or a reflective assignment.

• Action point:  Read or download CAW’s online resources:

https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/CAWhomepage/structuringanacademicessay

https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/CAWhomepage/LiteratureReview

https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/CAWhomepage/writingareport

https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/CAWhomepage/ReflectiveWriting

• Action point:  Attend CAW workshops of the same assignment genre: Writing a Literature Review, Writing a Report; and Reflective Writing.

https://libcal.coventry.ac.uk/calendar/caw

Your subject Academic Liaison Librarian can help you to find and interpret appropriate sources. They can help you to cite your sources and avoid plagiarism.  The team have a wealth of knowledge and experience.  Use them wisely!

• Action point: Find who your Academic Liaison Librarian is:

https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/all

• Action point:  Familiarise yourself with Locate (the Library’s search tool for resources), the referencing system, subject guides, and research skills for your discipline:

https://locate.coventry.ac.uk/primo-explore/search?vid=COV_VU1

https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/referencing

https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/subjects

https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/findingresources/home

• Action point:  Attend Library workshops covering referencing, using referencing tools, how to do specific searches, etc :

https://libcal.coventry.ac.uk/calendar/libraryworkshops

By carrying out these three types of reading, you will learn about forms and styles other writers use in your discipline, learn to understand what makes a text difficult to read, and identify what is good writing in your discipline.

• Action point: Access your module Aula page for your recommended reading list for your module assignment. 
• Action point: Utilise Locate to find books in the library, Journals, scholarly articles and much more.

Make notes; explore ideas; plan your assignment; write drafts.  Writing early will allow you to analyse, develop, and edit your writing ahead of submission.

• Action point: Read or download CAW’s online resource: https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/CAWhomepage/TheWritingProcess

• Action point:  Attend the workshop of the same topic:
  The Writing Process: General guidelines to improve writing:  https://libcal.coventry.ac.uk/calendar/caw

Incorporating sources into your writing demonstrates the breadth of your understanding, enhances your ideas of the subject, and shows authority in your work.  It can help you to show: how ideas have developed, how they differ, or how they relate; the strength of your perspective; and how weak or strong other views are.

Action point: Attend CAW’s workshop of the same topic:  Using Sources Effectively: Avoiding Plagiarism in your Writing.

https://libcal.coventry.ac.uk/calendar/caw

Consider the coherence and cohesion of your paragraphs and sentences: how are you connecting ideas within and between paragraphs and sentences, how are you structuring your paragraphs and sentences, do your ideas ‘flow’?

• Action point: Read or download CAW’s online resources:

https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/CAWhomepage/constructingsentences

https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/CAWhomepage/paragraphstructure

Check, check, and double-check your writing.  Have you followed your assignment brief - have you met the requirement? Leave time to proofread your writing: check your writing for clarity, formatting, and minor errors.

• Action point: Read or download CAW’s online resource: https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/CAWhomepage/tipsforproofreading

  When your assignment is returned, read the feedback, reread the assignment, and set goals for your future writing.

• What are your priorities?
• What can you improve?
• What help do you need?

• Action point: Read or download CAW’s online resources:

https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/CAWhomepage/UnderstandingWrittenAssignmentFeedback

https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/CAWhomepage/glossaryfeedbackterms

No matter where your career path takes you, you will always have to write.  By developing your academic writing skills at university, you will be able to demonstrate your understanding and knowledge of your chosen discipline and take these transferable writing skills into industry.

Remember!  Writing is a journey.  Enjoy it!

CAW offers writing development workshops across all genres of academic writing. To view available workshops and book online, visit: https://libcal.coventry.ac.uk/calendar/caw

To book a one-to-one tutorial with the Centre for Academic Writing: https://libguides.coventry.ac.uk/cawlibcalhome