I’ve written this post for academic mentors, but of course students can also use the guidelines to improve their writing skills!
Supporting students in academic writing goes beyond fixing grammar. Many struggle with essay structure, thesis development, and critical thinking. Read on for some clear strategies for teachers and mentors who’d like to improve their students’ academic writing skills.
As a mentor at the senior secondary or tertiary level, your role is to help students develop strong writing habits, structure their work effectively, and improve their critical thinking skills.
Many students come to me frustrated by vague or negative feedback on their writing, unsure of what went wrong or how to fix it. Often, the problem isn’t just the writing itself—it’s a breakdown in communication. Supervisors can recognise weaknesses in a student’s work but may struggle to articulate specific, actionable ways to improve. They’re experts in their subjects, but academic writing itself is a different skill set. Usually, once students understand the specific writing expectations for their discipline, they improve within just a few sessions.
- Set Clear Expectations for Academic Writing Success
One of the biggest challenges students face is understanding academic writing conventions. Different disciplines have different expectations—what works for a literature essay won’t necessarily apply to a scientific research paper. Instead of assuming students already know the rules, take time to explain discipline-specific writing expectations and provide clear models of strong academic writing.
Students are more likely to meet expectations when they fully understand them. Clarify the importance of argument structure, evidence use, citation styles, and formal tone in your field to help them meet academic standards.
- Teach Students Strong Writing Habits
Successful academic writing doesn’t happen overnight—it requires consistent practice. Writing well isn’t about last-minute swotting. A short, consistent writing routine works better—less stress, better results. This helps reduce stress and improves their ability to develop and refine ideas over time.
Another critical habit is separating drafting from editing. Many students get stuck rewriting the same sentence instead of focusing on developing their argument. Teach them to write first and edit later. Emphasising the value of messy first drafts will help them overcome perfectionism and writer’s block, making the writing process more manageable. Stop letting them throw out their drafts – every rough copy contributes to the final result.
- Teach Effective Essay Structure and Paragraph Organisation
Students often struggle with structuring their writing – you’ve probably seen the despairing look of someone who just doesn’t get it. Help them learn how to:
- Develop strong research questions and thesis statements that guide their arguments. Keeping key questions visible (such as in the document header) helps them stay focused.
- Write compelling introductions and conclusions that frame their argument rather than just summarizing.
- Structure paragraphs effectively, ensuring each paragraph expresses, develops, and proves one main idea.
- Use varied sentence structures to improve clarity, readability, and engagement.
- Connect ideas with linking words and transition phrases to create logical flow.
Teaching students these skills improves the overall coherence and persuasiveness of their writing. Of course, you may need to upskill yourself first – not necessarily on these technical skills of writing, but on how to convey them to your students.
- Develop Critical Thinking in Student Writing
A common mistake students make is summarising sources instead of synthesising them. Synthesis involves analysing multiple sources, identifying connections, and integrating different viewpoints into a cohesive discussion.
Encourage students to:
- Look for patterns and contradictions across their research.
- Combine similar ideas instead of repeating them.
- Use counterarguments to strengthen their case by addressing opposing perspectives.
One simple revision strategy is having students identify repetition in their writing. Instead of simply deleting redundant points, they should ask: How can I merge these ideas into a more insightful argument? This process improves synthesis and deepens their engagement with the material.
- Teach Students to Paraphrase Correctly and Avoid Patchwriting
Many students struggle with paraphrasing and unknowingly engage in patchwriting—a form of weak paraphrasing where they only change a few words or rearrange sentence structure without truly understanding the idea. This can lead to unintentional plagiarism and weak critical thinking.
To help students paraphrase effectively:
- Have them explain the idea in their own words without looking at the original source.
- Encourage them to focus on the meaning rather than sentence structure.
- Teach them to integrate paraphrased content smoothly with their own analysis rather than simply replacing words.
Developing strong paraphrasing skills not only improves academic integrity but also strengthens comprehension and critical thinking.
Final Thoughts: Empowering Students to Write with Confidence
Mentoring academic writers is about more than correcting mistakes—it’s about teaching students how to think, structure, and communicate ideas effectively. Once the writing flows smoothly, the ideas shine through, and it becomes fascinating to read—whether it’s about advanced psychoanalysis or military history.
The best part of mentoring academic writers? Watching that aha moment when their ideas finally click into place. That’s when writing stops being a chore and starts becoming a tool—one they can use for the rest of their lives.
Are you an educator or mentor working with student writers? I’d love to chat about how I can support you! Contact me here.