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Writing in English

Writing in English as an additional language

 

If English is not your native language, you may feel academic writing is particularly challenging. However, most English-speaking writers lack confidence about their academic writing at this level as well, so you are not alone here.

 

Things to find out

  • Cultural expectations. Different languages have different ideas about the way academic writing should look.  For example, ideas may differ about what constitutes an argument, the appropriate level of critique of others, or what makes writing persuasive. Ask your supervisor specifically about these things.
  • Disciplinary Expectations. Expectations can also differ across different disciplines. Find out what constitutes an argument in your discipline, and how knowledge is constructed and presented.
  • Support. Explore the supports available to help you with writing (start with the Library).  Seek help when you need it and don’t be afraid to ask questions of your supervisors.
  • Community. Get involved in the research community of your discipline. For example, go to departmental seminars, get involved with other graduate students in your area.

 

Things to remember

  • You are already a highly successful researcher and writer. You have been accepted into a foreign university where you have already had to demonstrate your academic abilities and language skills in English.
  • You have learned at least one additional language in your life; this means you have a broad understanding of grammatical and linguistic concepts, and you probably also have the metalanguage to talk about these things with your supervisor and other readers.
  • All writers make mistakes, especially in early drafts. You will too, this is part of learning to write at this level.
  • Learning to write academically is an iterative process – you need to constantly revise.
  • Small, surface level grammatical and word choice errors are not the most important thing to focus on when writing. These can be fixed later when you are closer to a final draft. Things like structure, clarity of purpose and focus, coherence and cohesion, and logic are the more important issues when writing drafts.
  • Online editing tools can help refine your writing, but only use them after you have written a full draft.

Other things to try

  • Look at theses in your discipline to see how others write about knowledge and research.
  • The best way to improve your writing is to read. Read, read, read – not just in your discipline, but on a daily basis to consolidate your language skills.

Additional Resources