Study guides in Word and PDF to print and study

Academic Writing and Study Skills

These study guides are available in two formats: Word and PDF (which can be opened on any system).   Most computers will open PDF documents automatically but you may need to download Acrobat Reader onto your computer in order to read them. It is FREE to download if you do not have it.   It is automatically available on all University of Hull networked PCs.

Please Note: the following information, with the exception of external web links, is Copyright of the University of Hull.   Most of our material can be made available to Hull University students and staff in an alternative format on request: email studyadvice@hull.ac.uk or tel. 01482 466199.  

Academic jargon - see Jargon: academic

Academic writing style - Important guidelines on the key skills required to write well within a university context (see also Proofreading and Spelling).   Word or PDF or Online course in eBridge 

Apostrophes -  How to make sure that you have the correct apostrophe (') in your work (see also Capital Letters and Punctuation).  Word or PDF

Book and article reviews -  If you are asked to write a review for an assignment, this information will be useful.   It highlights what it is, the key elements and what to include (see also Literature reviews).   Word or PDF

Capital letters -  The principles of when to use them and when to avoid them (see also Apostrophes and Punctuation).  Word or PDF

Case studies - What are they?   Why students are asked to write them and how to set about it.   Word or PDF

Critical and analytical thinking - How to improve your powers of evaluation and analysis in an academic way.   This form of thinking is a key attribute necessary to excel in postgraduate work.  Word or PDF or Online course in eBridge

CV - Curriculum Vitae - Some basic advice from the University of Hull's Careers Service about how to write a good CV when applying for a position with an organisation.   

Digital literacy - A website from the University of Leeds that gives information and links on such topics as podcasts, video, finding digital media, writing web content (wikis, blogs and twitter), social bookmarking, working with mobile apps, copyright, online security, communicating and interacting online and netiquette.    Please note that some of the resources listed are available to Leeds students only.

Dissertations - General advice about writing an undergraduate or postgraduate dissertation for students of any discipline.   Word or PDF   See also the Companion for Undergraduate Dissertations from the Universities of Birmingham, Southampton and Sheffield Hallam. 

Email etiquette - Advice from the University of London (see also Digital Literacy).

Essay checklist - A handy list of things to remember when essay writing.   Word or PDF 

Essays - A detailed look at planning and writing essays.  This is our most popular learning resource.   Word or PDF or Online course in eBridge .   Why not also take a look at these publications: "Writing Essays in Higher Education: A Guide for Students by Students" by the CETL Write Now Centre and "Essay Writing: a Guide for Undergraduates" by the Royal Literary Fund.

Examinations - Hints on how to approach revision and examinations - and survive.    (See also Remembering).  Word or PDF or Online course in eBridge 

Formal writing - see Academic writing

Grammar - The Internet Grammar of English is an online course in English grammar written primarily for university undergraduates.   Pocket Fowler's Modern English Usage is an invaluable reference work that answers your most frequently asked questions about English language use, issues of grammar, pronunciation, spelling, confusable words, and written style.    It works automatically on-campus and needs an Athens password off-campus. See also this list of Recommended books and websites

Group work - What it is and how to make it work effectively.   Word or PDF

Homophones - see Spelling 

Hyphen or dash? - see Punctuation 

Independent learning - How to make the most of the 'do-it-yourself' approach to study.   Word or PDF.   See also the detailed study unit produced by the Open University entitled "Learning How to Learn" that takes you through activities and exercises to help you to think and understand how you learn and our Online course in eBridge: Begin studying: top ten tips. 

Information overload - How to avoid it.   Word or PDF 

Interpersonal skills - Have a look at the LearnHigher website for materials, including interactive activities, on the 'soft' skills of interpersonal communication, non-verbal behaviour and body language, listening skills and questioning skills.

Jargon: academic - A glossary of over 60 troublesome terms often used in the academic world.   Word or PDF 

Jargon: acronyms - Abbreviations abound in HE (whoops! Higher Education) and this document sets out over 80 of them.   It also includes various Latin expressions that can sometimes be a mystery.   Word or PDF 

Learning Journals - see Portfolios and Reflective learning

Lectures - see Note-taking and Reading

Learning styles - There are many ways to learn and this study guide provides some new approaches.   A quick test enables you to determine your preferred method of learning.   Word or PDF

Literature reviews - How to write and structure them and why they are needed in academia (see also Book and article reviews).   Word or PDF 

Motivation - Can't get started?   Can't get finished?   Fight apathy - read this!   Postgraduates, particularly, need to maintain a high level of motivation throughout the whole of their research work.   Word or PDF 

Note-taking - How to take and use notes.   Your notes form the bedrock of all your studies, essays, revision and exam success and a good thesis.   Word or PDF 

Parts of speech - Incorporates a checklist of parts of speech with examples of their use.   Word or PDF

Plagiarism - What is it?   How can I avoid it?   Don't be a copy cat.   Word or PDF.   See also the Referencing and Plagiarism pages on this website for detailed information and guides

Plurals - see Spelling

Portfolios - What they are and how to produce them.   Word or PDF.  See also Reflective Learning 

Poster presentations - These are used as a visual communications tool to get main points across simply to as many people as possible - especially at an academic conference (this document is courtesy of the North Carolina State University).

Presentations - Stand up and talk to your audience in a way that counts.   You may, one day, be presenting a conference paper!   Word or PDF

Problem-based learning - The advice given here is primarily for medical students; however, the guidelines may also be useful within your discipline

Proofreading - This is a highly desirable academic skill - for undergraduates and professors alike.   This study guide provides many useful tips about the process involved in double checking your written work.   Please note: the Study Advice Service DOES NOT proofread student essays but we are happy to help you acquire this useful skill.   Word or PDF or Online course in eBridge

Punctuation - Why and how to use punctuation in your writing, including a handy list of punctuation marks with examples of their use (see also Apostrophes and Capital letters).   Word or PDF 

Questionnaires - How to design a questionnaire in order to get a wide range of accurate results which can be used to test theories.   Word or PDF 

Reading - Help with efficient reading techniques.   Advice is given on how to plan your reading, be selective, active and remember what you have read.   Word or PDF 

Referencing - See the Referencing and Plagiarism pages on this website for detailed information and guides or Online course in eBridge 

Reflective learning - Why reflection upon academic work is important and how to go about it.  Word or PDF or Online course in eBridge.   See also Portfolios

Remembering - Don't forget to read this one.   Word or PDF 

Report writing - The basics of writing a good report (see also Scientific report writing).   Word or PDF 

Research proposals - How to get the appropriate approval from the appropriate people.   Word or PDF 

Resource gathering - How to obtain and make the most of research materials.   Science, for example, usually builds on earlier research and you need to be aware of this.   (See also Information overload).   Word or PDF 

Scientific report writing - Reasons why reports are necessary.   What to tell the reader.  A detailed outline of the contents.  Lots of useful tips.   Word or PDF 

Scientific writing style - A useful set of guidelines about being clear, succinct, precise and logical.   There are also tips about your audience.    Word or PDF

Sentences and Paragraphs - Make sense with your writing.   Word or PDF 

Spelling - English spelling is notoriously illogical - this leaflet covers common errors and gives hints and tips where there are no firm rules as well as a warning about spellcheckers!    Word or PDF

Surveys - see Questionnaires

Team work - see Group work

Time management - How to make the most of this priceless gift during your limited time at university.   Word or PDF.    "Where does the time go?" is an interactive tool from Virginia Tech that calculates the amount of time you have for study. Also have a look at "The 5 Minute Guide to Managing Your Time at University" from the University of Reading, which gives ten brief tips, all linking to more detailed advice.  

Transition from school to higher education - Issues to consider when you transfer from school to university.  Word or PDF 

Transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study in higher education - Potential problems and how to avoid them.    Word or PDF 

Transition from work to study in higher education - Things to expect in the new environment.   Word or PDF 

Transition to studying part-time - What to expect and how to cope with it.   Word or PDF

Viva - This is your big moment after many years of hard work.   This external weblink provides advice that will help you avoid getting over-anxious and, instead, make it a 'serene' experience (courtesy of the University of London).

Working with others - see Group work

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