support your arguments by adding substance and evidence.

show you have researched widely and know about specialist are of interest.

incorporating other people’s work into your own written work: paraphrasing, summarising, synthesising, quoting.

show how the information you found has helped you to develop your arguments, ideas and opinions.

paraphrasing pitfalls: describing an author’s idea but not explaining the significance to your own argument, or the point that you are trying to make; providing too much detail; not distinguish the author’s point and your own viewpoint.

summary pitfalls: providing too much detail unnecessary background informations; describe the author’s idea but not the significance to your own argument.

synthesise pitfalls: not distinguishing clearly which viewpoint belong to which author; not grouping relevant authors or point together; describe the author’s idea but not the significance to your own argument.

quote pitfalls: using to many quotes; incorporating a quote without describing its relevance to the argument

be concise: one idea per sentence; sentences to a reasonable length 25 words; avoid repetitions.

avoid redundant words: use because instead of due to the fact that for instance

use hedging words: this suggests, it is possible that, a possible explanation, usually, sometimes, somewhat, in what appears to be, it may help, he claims.

boosters: express a measure of certainty or conviction, clearly there is a strong correlation

tips to developing an academic argument.