Help with academic writing
If you would like to know what academic writing entails, find out more about the criteria that an academic text must meet.
Getting started yourself
English language tips
- For tips on academic writing, language, style, referencing and plagiarism in English, visit the Scribbr Knowledge Base or the Purdue Online Writing Lab.
- For tips on common expressions and phrasing in academic writing, see the Manchester Academic Phrasebank.
Dutch language tips
If you need help writing your Dutch text quickly, visit www.taalwinkel.nl, where you can find plenty of information on grammar, spelling and style. You can also find information on referencing and plagiarism.
MOOC: Beter schrijven in het hoger onderwijs
The UvA has developed a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that you can take autonomously to improve your writing skills in Dutch. Videos, examples and assignments teach you how to write a well-structured, error-free text using appropriate style. You can also take the modules separately.
Professional support
The Writing Centre offers free courses, workshops and individual tutoring sessions for all UvA students. The support is available in English and in Dutch.
Individual support
You can make an appointment with a Writing Centre tutor for individual help with your writing assignment, paper, report, essay or thesis. The individual tutoring sessions are hosted by peer writing tutors, students with proven academic writing skill who have been trained to coach other students.
The Writing Centre isn't a proofreading or editing service. Your tutor will work with you to help you clarify what you want to say, organise your text and work on your writing skills more generally.
- Make an appointment for individual tutoring sessions in English (English texts) or individual tutoring sessions in Dutch.
Workshops and courses
The Writing Centre offers workshops in Dutch and English on a range of topics related to academic writing, such as structure and language.
- Workshop in English: common writing errors, wordiness, using sources, structure
- Workshops in het Nederlands: werkwoordspelling, formuleren
- Crash Course in University Writing and Crash Course Schrijfvaardigheid (in Dutch)
Thesis writing week
The Writing Centre regularly organises 'Thesis Weeks' to help students who are working on their thesis. The goal is to help you get started, stay motivated and focus. Working together with a writing tutor, as well as a small group of other students who are also writing their thesis, will motivate you to work regularly and effectively.
- Sign up for a Thesis Week in English or in Dutch. Select the language in which you're writing your thesis!