This week’s online session focused on building a strong literature review and introduction, emphasising how structure supports clarity and academic rigour. Nigel introduced a paragraph-based approach rather than numbered sections, which initially seemed minor but I now see as essential for creating a more fluid and cohesive argument. Using the “intro–explain–cite” structure within each paragraph encourages more disciplined writing and ensures that each point is clearly supported.
The guidance on using only peer-reviewed sources highlighted a gap in my research habits. I need to be more selective and intentional, relying on academic databases rather than easily accessible but less credible sources. This shift is important for strengthening the authority of my work.
The “academic sandwich” model for introductions was particularly useful. While the idea of using hooks (such as questions or statistics) encourages more engaging openings, I recognise that I tend to play it safe. Moving forward, I need to experiment more while ensuring that my experiments remain relevant to my research. The structured progression within paragraphs (context → focus → relevance → method) also addressed a common issue in my writing, where I often move into specifics too quickly without sufficient framing.
Overall, this session helped me understand academic writing as a structured and deliberate process, rather than simply descriptive work, and highlighted clear areas for improvement in both my research and writing approach.