Writing Academic Texts

Even before you begin the actual writing phase, you should have a clear idea of the form which the end product of your research (e.g. a (Pro)Seminar paper) should take. Do not leave it too late before you start writing, as the writing process requires you once more to engage deeply with your topic. Plan the structure of your text and, if necessary, discuss this with your lecturer before you commence writing. Writing is a fundamental skill for any historian. Above all, your writing needs to be precise and well-reasoned, but there is no one set method which must be followed when writing a text. Personal preference is important: some writers choose to construct a paper in a strictly linear fashion, beginning with the introduction and ending with the conclusion; others prefer to complete the various sections of their paper in no particular order until they have a complete text. There are concrete instructions, however, which govern the way in which a written assignment is to be presented.