Academic Writing and Dissertations
A key component of any discipline is being able to effectively communicate your work to other people. You'll find resources here on a range of topics, including presentations, referencing and plagiarism, critical reading and creating an argument.
Almost every student at the University of Glasgow will also have to complete a dissertation or final year project as part of their studies - our classes will help guide you through the process step-by-step.
While some of our classes are tailored for different cohorts, all classes are open to everyone so feel to attend any that look of interest to you.
Got a specific question? Book an appointment with one of our advisers:
Live Classes (Semester 2)
Dissertation Classes
Dissertation Classes (for Arts & Humanities and SocSci students)
This course walks you through the process of writing a dissertation for the Arts & Humanities or the Social Sciences. The course consists of a combination of lectures and workshops where you will have a chance to practice the skills you learn.
The series will run in-person throughout the semester, with an additional intensive online option in March.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Date | Time | Class Title | Class Description | Venue |
| Tue 13 Jan | 12:00-13:00 | Dissertation Topic & Question (in-person) | This session explores how to find a dissertation topic and then turning this topic into a research question you can answer in your dissertation. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Tue 20 Jan | 12:00-13:00 | Literature Review (in-person) | This class focuses on the literature review: what it is and its purpose within your dissertation. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Tue 27 Jan | 12:00-13:00 | Your Dissertation's Methodology (in-person) | This class focuses on the methodology: what it is, what the difference is between methods and methodology, and how to write about, explain, and justify your methodology. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Tue 3 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Using Theory in Your Dissertation (in-person) | This class focuses on the purpose of theory in academia and how to use it in your writing. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Fri 6 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Literature Review & Methodology Workshop (sign-up in advance) | In this workshop you will practice mapping your research to write a better literature review, and how to articulate your methodology. Bring a selection of articles or book chapters you are working or planning to work with. | Click here to sign up (Moodle login required) |
| Tue 10 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Your Dissertation's Argument (in-person) | This class explains how to construct a convincing argument that answers your research question. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Tue 17 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Your Dissertation's Structure (in-person) | This class explains how to ensure your argument connects and links all of your dissertation chapters together within a robust structure. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Fri 20 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Argument & Structure Workshop (sign-up in advance) | This workshop will give you a space to work on strengthening argumentation, structure, and criticality in your dissertation. | Click here to sign up (Moodle login required) |
| Tue 24 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Referencing in Your Dissertation (in-person) | This class discusses why we reference in academia and how to reference in your dissertation. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Tue 3 Mar | 12:00-13:00 | Editing Your Dissertation (in-person) | This class focuses on the editorial process: how to go from a first draft to the final submission of your dissertation. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Fri 6 Mar | 12:00-13:00 | Referencing & Editing Workshop (sign-up in advance) | This workshop will provide a space to practice referencing, using reference managers, compiling bibliographies, and editing checklists. | Click here to sign up (Moodle login required) |
| Mon 9 Mar | 13:00-14:00 | Literature Review (online) | This class focuses on the literature review: what it is and its purpose within your dissertation. | Zoom Link |
| Tue 10 Mar | 13:00-14:00 | Your Dissertation's Methodology and Using Theory (online) | This class focuses on the methodology: what it is, what the difference is between methods and methodology, and how to write about, explain, and justify your methodology. It will also address the role of theory in your dissertation. | Zoom Link |
| Wed 11 Mar | 13:00-14:00 | Your Dissertation's Argument and Structure (online) | This class explains how to construct a convincing argument that answers your research question and how to ensure all the chapters of your dissertaion are working coherently. | Zoom Link |
| Thu 12 Mar | 13:00-14:00 | Referencing in Your Dissertation (online) | This class discusses why we reference in academia and how to reference in your dissertation. | Zoom Link |
| Fri 13 Mar | 13:00-14:00 | Editing Your Dissertation (online) | This class focuses on the editorial process: how to go from a first draft to the final submission of your dissertation. | Zoom Link |
Science Dissertation Writing (for CoSE & MVLS students)
This course is designed for science students undertaking their dissertation, but feel free to use it if you are earlier in your degree as well. It covers what to expect from your dissertation and how to produce a high quality research report.
This particular course is led jointly by the Effective Learning Advisers for MVLS and for Science & Engineering, with sessions on using LaTeX from the Maths Adviser.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Date | Time | Class title | Class description | Venue |
| Tue 27 Jan | 15:00-16:00 | Your Dissertation: Beginning to End | This class examines what the whole dissertation process looks like, from choosing a title to handing in your finished product. | Rankine: 108 LT |
| Mon 2 Feb | 10:00-12:00 | Introduction to Writing with LaTeX | LaTeX is a popular typesetting system used by people all over the world who need to include mathematical formulae or diagrams in their writing. This interactive session will demonstrate the basics before then giving you a chance to make your own documents and ask any questions you have. Please bring a laptop or device with you. | St Andrew's Building: 337 |
| Tue 3 Feb | 15:00-16:00 | Writing a Literature Review | This class will explore the process of finding and critically analysing journal articles, as well as how to incorporate academic literature into your writing. | Rankine: 108 LT |
| Fri 6 Feb | 14:00-16:00 | Introduction to Writing with LaTeX (online repeat) | LaTeX is a popular typesetting system used by people all over the world who need to include mathematical formulae or diagrams in their writing. This interactive session will demonstrate the basics before then giving you a chance to make your own documents and ask any questions you have. | Zoom Link |
| Tue 10 Feb | 15:00-16:00 | Developing a Methodology | We outline things to consider when designing your research methods and discuss how to write your methods chapter. | Rankine: 108 LT |
| Tue 17 Feb | 15:00-16:00 | Presenting your Findings | This class looks at the most effective way of discussing your data and writing about your results in the context of your field. | Rankine: 108 LT |
| Tue 24 Feb | 15:00-16:00 | Editing and Proofreading | The class looks at the stages of editing and proofreading that you need to complete in order to achieve a polished and professional dissertation. | Rankine: 108 LT |
Early Stages Dissertation Writing (for International Students)
This particular course will be led by the team of Effective Learning Advisers for International Students.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Date | Time | Class Title | Class Description | Venue |
| Tue 20 Jan | 15:00-16:00 | An Introduction to Doing a Dissertation | This class introduces students to key features and requirements of dissertations as well as their benefits. | Boyd Orr: 407 (LT A) |
| Wed 21 Jan | 15:00-16:00 | Writing a Research Proposal | This class looks at the purpose, structure and key content of research proposals, which are often required before beginning a dissertation or other extensive research project. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Tue 27 Jan | 15:00-16:00 | Identifying your Research Gap | This class explores the types of research gap and how to identify the gap for your dissertation. | Boyd Orr: 407 (LT A) |
| Wed 28 Jan | 15:00-16:00 | Developing your Research Methods | This class discusses how to select the most appropriate methodology for your dissertation. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Tue 3 Feb | 15:00-16:00 | The Supervision Process | This class outlines core aspects of working with a dissertation supervisor, looking at expectations on the students and supervisors, and how to make the most of these relationships. | Boyd Orr: 407 (LT A) |
| Wed 4 Feb | 15:00-16:00 | Starting the Literature Review | This class looks at how to start searching for literature on your research topic, the key features of literature reviews, and ways to find the 'gap' in research that you are contributing to. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
| Tue 10 Feb | 15:00-16:00 | Using Language in your Dissertation | This class discusses how to make appropriate use of language when writing your dissertation, considering important aspects such as tone and signposting. | Boyd Orr: 407 (LT A) |
| Wed 11 Feb | 15:00-16:00 | Planning your Dissertation's Structure | This class discusses how to plan your dissertation's structure to ensure a clear argument. | Boyd Orr: 611 (LT E) |
Introduction to Statistics (Using R Studio)
This series is for any student who will be working with data as part of their assignments, project, or dissertation. It will cover some fundamental concepts in statistics as well as how to use R Studio, a widely used statistical environment, to perform and present analyses. This particular course will be led by the Statistics Adviser. Both online and in-person options are available.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Date | Time | Class Title | Class Description | Venue or Zoom Link |
| Wed 21 Jan | 13:00-14:00 | Introduction to R Studio (Part 1) | This session introduces students to R Studio, a powerful statistical environment used by many to conduct simple and more complex statistical analysis,as well as produce meaningful and impactful graphs.(Part 1) | 42 Bute Gardens:915 |
| Thu 22 Jan | 10:00-11:00 | Introduction to R Studio (Part 1) | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Wed 28 Jan | 13:00-14:00 | Introduction to R Studio (Part 2) | This session introduces students to R Studio, a powerful statistical environment used by many to conduct simple and more complex statistical analysis,as well as produce meaningful and impactful graphs.(Part 2) | 42 Bute Gardens:915 |
| Thu 29 Jan | 10:00-11:00 | Introduction to R Studio (Part 2) | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Wed 4 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | Descriptive Statistics | This session covers basic statistical terminology, along with measures of central tendency, variation, and position of a data set. | 42 Bute Gardens:915 |
| Thu 5 Feb | 10:00-11:00 | Descriptive Statistics | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Wed 11 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | Probability | This session covers the basic rules of probability, along with some examples of discrete probability distributions. | 42 Bute Gardens:915 |
| Thu 12 Feb | 10:00-11:00 | Probability | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Wed 18 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | Hypothesis Testing | This session covers hypothesis testing, along with some continuous probability distributions used for hypothesis testing. | 42 Bute Gardens:915 |
| Thu 19 Feb | 10:00-11:00 | Hypothesis Testing | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Wed 4 Mar | 13:00-14:00 | Simple and Multiple Linear Regression | This session covers simple and multiple linear regression, along with graphical tools to describe said regression. | 42 Bute Gardens:915 |
| Thu 5 Mar | 10:00-11:00 | Simple and Multiple Linear Regression | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Wed 11 Mar | 13:00-14:00 | Logistic Regression | This session covers logistic regression, along with graphical tools to describe said regression. | 42 Bute Gardens:915 |
| Thu 12 Mar | 10:00-11:00 | Logistic Regression | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Wed 18 Mar | 13:00-14:00 | Flexible Regression | This session covers flexible regression, along with graphical tools to describe said regression. | 42 Bute Gardens:915 |
| Thu 19 Mar | 10:00-11:00 | Flexible Regression | Online repeat | Zoom link |
General Academic Writing Classes
Principles of Scientific Writing
This course provides useful guidance on the core skills science students need in order to write effectively.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
This course includes one live class:
| Wed 4 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Artificial Intelligence | This class will explore some classifications of artificial intelligence (AI), key elements of the UofG AI guidance, and critiques of various example AI outputs. | 5 The Square: 330 Gloag LT |
Moodle course includes:
| Referencing and Plagiarism | |
| Sourcing Evidence from the Literature | |
| Approaching Writing | |
| Critical Reading | |
| Creating an Argument | |
| Data, Graphs, and Figures | |
| Structure | |
| Editing | |
| Using Feedback |
Mastering Academic Writing & Research
Our Mastering Academic Writing course is for those wanting to fine-tune their academic skills to an advanced level. Note that the series runs in-person throughout January and February, before repeating online in March.
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Venue |
| Tue 27 Jan | 13:00-14:00 | Active Reading for Academic Writing | This class explores how to use active reading to develop thorough, critical academic research. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Tue 3 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | The Architecture of Writing: Building a Strong Process & Practice | This class helps you design a sustainable writing process by building structure, strategies, and habits that foster confidence and consistency in your work. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Tue 10 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | Thinking Through Things: How to Use Objects in Your Research | This class shows you how to research and write about objects—using their material qualities, histories, and meanings as evidence to enrich your research and generate fresh insights. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Tue 17 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | Finding Your Voice: Expressing Ideas with Authority | This class explores how to find and develop your academic voice in order to express ideas with clarity and authority, crafting writing that feels confident and compelling. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Tue 24 Feb | 13:00-14:00 | Editing Matters: Revising for Clarity and Confidence | This class focuses on practical editing strategies that strengthen your voice, sharpen your ideas, and make your work shine with clarity and rigour. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Mon 2 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Active Reading for Academic Writing (online repeat) | This class explores how to use active reading to develop thorough, critical academic research. | Zoom link |
| Mon 9 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | The Architecture of Writing: Building a Strong Process & Practice (online repeat) | This class helps you design a sustainable writing process by building structure, strategies, and habits that foster confidence and consistency in your work. | Zoom link |
| Mon 16 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Thinking Through Things: How to Use Objects in Your Research (online repeat) | This class shows you how to research and write about objects—using their material qualities, histories, and meanings as evidence to enrich your research and generate fresh insights. | Zoom link |
| Mon 23 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Finding Your Voice: Expressing Ideas with Authority (online repeat) | This class explores how to find and develop your academic voice in order to express ideas with clarity and authority, crafting writing that feels confident and compelling. | Zoom link |
| Mon 30 Mar | 16:00-17:00 | Editing Matters: Revising for Clarity and Confidence (online repeat) | This class focuses on practical editing strategies that strengthen your voice, sharpen your ideas, and make your work shine with clarity and rigour. | Zoom link |
Essay Writing (for Arts & Humanities and SocSci students)
Our Essay Writing course is designed to give you a step-by-step guide on how to write a successful essay in the Social Sciences or the Arts & Humanities. This course will run once in Semester 1 and again in Semester 2 with both in-person and online options available.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Date | Time | Class Title | Class Description | Location |
| Thu 22 Jan | 12:00-13:00 | ILOs & Essay Questions | This class covers the importance of Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) and how to deconstruct and interpret essay questions. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Fri 23 Jan | 12:00-13:00 | ILOs & Essay Questions | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Thu 29 Jan | 12:00-13:00 | Researching Your Essay for the Social Sciences | This class focuses on how to identify and review academic literature for your essay specifically in the Social Sciences. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Fri 30 Jan | 12:00-13:00 | Researching Your Essay for the Social Sciences | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Thu 5 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Researching Your Essay for the Arts & Humanities | This class focuses on how to identify and review academic literature for your essay specifically in the Arts & Humanities. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Fri 6 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Researching Your Essay for the Arts & Humanities | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Thu 12 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Planning Your Essay | This class explores how to create an effective plan to write your essay assignments successfully. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Fri 13 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Planning Your Essay | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Thu 19 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Building Your Essay's Argument | This class discusses the main distinctive features of an academic argument. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Fri 20 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Building Your Essay's Argument | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Thu 26 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Structuring Your Essay | This class explores different ways to structure your essay to make sure it is organised around a central and coherent argument. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Fri 27 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Structuring Your Essay | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Thu 5 Mar | 12:00-13:00 | Referencing | This class discusses why we reference in academia and how to reference your essay adequately. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Fri 6 Mar | 12:00-13:00 | Referencing | Online repeat | Zoom link |
| Thu 12 Mar | 12:00-13:00 | Editing Your Essay | This class focuses on the editorial process: how to go from a first draft to the final submission. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Fri 13 Mar | 12:00-13:00 | Editing Your Essay | Online repeat | Zoom link |
Peer Academic Writing Drop-in
For first- and second-year undergraduates only. Bring a piece of in-progress writing for feedback from a trained peer tutor.
| Date | Time | Venue |
| Wed 18 Feb | 15:00-17:00 | McMillan Round Reading Room: 305 |
| Wed 11 Mar | 9:30-11:30 | McMillan Round Reading Room: 305 |
| Thu 12 Mar | 15:00-17:00 | McMillan Round Reading Room: 305 |
| Wed 18 Mar | 15:00-17:00 | McMillan Round Reading Room: 305 |
Pre-recorded classes and online materials
These classes offer a mix of online materials and resources you can work through at your own pace. Some are classes held in the previous semester. All contain useful resources, sometimes including recordings of past live classes. Check back regularly for updates.
Online Guide to Academic Writing
The Online Guide to Academic Writing is a resource that contains interactive activities to help you understand and practice academic writing. The Guide takes you through the process of writing an assignment step by step, explaining what each stage involves and why it is important. The explanations are accompanied by short exercises with in-built feedback, top tips and links to further practice and resources offered by the University of Glasgow.
Advanced Criticality (for Arts & Humanities and SocSci Students)
This course covers what do we mean by being critical in your academic work, a key skill in the Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences. The course introduces you to the key strategies to becoming a critical reader and writer. This course runs in Semester 1, but resources for the following classes can be found on the Moodle page.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Class Title | Class Description |
| Critical Reading | What does it mean to be critical and how can we foster critical reading when we are researching our assignments or engaging with course materials? |
| Writing Critically about Literature | How can we adopt a critical attitude not only when we read but also when we write about academic literature in our assignments? |
| Using Theory | This class focuses on the purpose of theory in the Arts & Humanities and the Social Sciences, and how to use it in your writing to enhance criticality. |
| Criticality in Argumentation | What are the key elements of a critical argument and how can you make sure you include them in your writing? |
| Reflection | How can you use reflection as a critical tool both in your studying and in your writing? |
Principles of Scientific Writing
This course provides useful guidance on the core skills science students need in order to write effectively.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
This course includes one live class:
| Wed 4 Feb | 12:00-13:00 | Artificial Intelligence | This class will explore some classifications of artificial intelligence (AI), key elements of the UofG AI guidance, and critiques of various example AI outputs. | 5 The Square: 330 Gloag LT |
Moodle course includes:
| Referencing and Plagiarism | |
| Sourcing Evidence from the Literature | |
| Approaching Writing | |
| Critical Reading | |
| Creating an Argument | |
| Data, Graphs, and Figures | |
| Structure | |
| Editing | |
| Using Feedback |
Spring Academic Writing Series (for International Students)
This particular course will be led by the team of Effective Learning Advisers for International Students. This series is not running this academic year, but a list of classes are given below and resources can be found on the Moodle page.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Class | Class Description |
| Using Academic Language | This class discusses academic language and outlines some of its key features and uses, such as demonstrating your understanding, presenting information accurately, and adopting an appropriate tone. |
| Critical and Efficient Academic Reading | This class discusses approaches to academic reading to enhance assignments while managing time and volume of reading. |
| Writing an Academic Argument | This class outlines how best to produce a written argument, considering the individual elements which contribute to strong argumentation. |
| Writing about Academic Sources | This class looks at how you can incorporate academic sources in your work whilst maintaining your own academic voice. |
| Using Theory in Academic Work | Focusing on theory in Social Sciences and Arts & Humanities, this class outlines a method for using theory to enhance academic analysis and writing. |
| Effective Editing for Academic Work | This class advises on how to effectively edit your academic work, considering tecnhiques for enhancing content, structure, and style. |
Dissertation Writing (for International Students)
This particular course will be led by the team of Effective Learning Advisers for International Students. This class will be held during the summer semester, but resources for the classes below can be found on the Moodle.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Class Title | Class Description |
| Reading for your Dissertation | This class explores strategies for selecting and completing reading for your dissertation. |
| Being Critical of Literature | This class discusses how to write about academic literature in a critical and analytical way in your literature review. |
| Writing about Methodology | This class discusses how efffectively to plan and write the methods/methodology section in your dissertation. |
| Writing about Data and Findings | This class discusses writing about data and findings in your dissertation and osme elements of presenting data in graphs and figures. |
| Writing a Discussion Chapter | This class explores the aims and writing of the discussion section/analytical sections in your dissertation. |
| Writing an Introduction Chapter | This class discusses dissertation introductions, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. |
| Writing a Conclusion Chapter | This class explores dissertation conclusions, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. |
| Writing a Dissertation Abstract | This class discusses dissertation abstracts, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. |
Dissertation Classes (for Arts & Humanities and SocSci PGT students)
This course walks you through the process of writing a dissertation for the Arts & Humanities or the Social Sciences. This is aimed at PGT, but all students are welcome. This course meets in-person in June, then repeats online in July, but resources can be found on the Moodle page anytime.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings)
| Class Title | Class Description |
| Succeeding in Your Dissertation | This class introduces advanced academic research and writing approaches and tools to get you started on a successful dissertation project. |
| Organising Your Research | This class discusses how to work with sources for your research. It outlines different strategies to scope, critically review and map the literature or data relating to your research question. |
| Writing Your Literature Review | This class focuses on the literature review: what is it and what purpose serves in your dissertation. It also discusses how your literature review should link to your methodology. |
| Using Theory and Writing About Methodology | This class discusses what is a methodology, the difference between methodology and methods, how to justify your methodological approach and using theory as a methodological tool. |
| Developing Your Dissertation's Argument | This class explains how to construct a convincing argument that successfully answers your research question. |
| Your Dissertation's Structure | This class explores how to link the different chapters of your dissertation together to ensure your thesis is coherent and cohesive. |
| Editing Your Dissertation | This class discusses how to effectively edit and proofread your dissertation, with tips on how to prepare the dissertation document for submission. |
| Referencing and Academic Integrity | This class introduces the principles of academic integrity and discusses how to properly reference your dissertation so that it adheres to these principles. |