Arlene McCoy

Cornerstone guides

Read in order if you are starting from scratch.

Writing guides

Long form resources that cover a whole assignment type from planning to final revision. These are the ones to read first.

  • How to write an essay

    A practical guide to planning, structuring, drafting, and revising an academic essay.

    Essay writing14 min readReviewed March 2026

  • How to write a research paper

    From choosing a research question to organising sources and presenting evidence.

    Research papers16 min readReviewed February 2026

Each guide is reviewed at least once a year and after any change to the relevant style manuals. See editorial standards for how that works.