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 BaseExternal link or the Purdue Online Writing LabExternal link.

For tips on common expressions and phrasing in academic writing, see the Manchester Academic PhrasebankExternal link.

Dutch language tips

If you need help writing your Dutch text quickly, visit www.taalwinkel.nlExternal link, 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)External link 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 CentreExternal link 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.

Please note that the Writing Centre is not a proofreading or editing service. Your tutor will work with you to help you clarify what you want to say, organize your text, and work on your writing skills more generally.

Make an appointment for individual support with a text written in EnglishExternal link or in DutchExternal link.

Workshops

The Writing Centre offers workshops in Dutch and English on a range of topics related to academic writing, such as structure and language.

Find out here which workshops are on offer in EnglishExternal link and in DutchExternal link.

Courses

The Writing Centre offers several courses on academic writing in Dutch and English:

• Academic Writing Support (English) and Beter SchrijvenExternal link (Dutch and NT2), six weekly two-hour classes for first year Humanities students who failed the Academic Literacy test;
• For all other UvA students: Crash Course in University WritingExternal link (English) and Crash Course SchrijfvaardigheidExternal link (Dutch), 3 weekly 3-hour sessions.

Thesis 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 in the same boat will give you an incentive to work regularly and effectively.

Sign up for a Thesis Week in EnglishExternal link or in DutchExternal link (choose the language you are writing your thesis in).