Research: the "backbone" of academic writing
What makes academic writing "academic"? Sources. As an academic writer, you get to enter the conversation that others are already having about a certain topic and put down your ideas as a part of that conversation, but before you chime in, you'll need to sharpen your skills for finding and evaluating sources to make sure you're sitting at the "right table" with the "right people." In essence, your own ideas will only be as strong as the ideas you've gathered through research. Many writers who have "run out of things to say" hit this point because of the limits of their research. Use the buttons above to help you develop your skills for finding sources, evaluating credibility, identifying diverse source types, and overcoming obstacles.