Academic Writing for In-sessional Study (AWIS)

Unit 1

Understanding expectations

• To recognise features of academic writing style
• To understand task instructions and marking schemes
• To raise awareness of reader expectations in academic writing
• To apply the session content to your own discipline learning ​ 

Unit 2

Building your argument

• To integrate sources effectively​ in order to develop a strong argument
• To practise summarising, paraphrasing and quoting directly
• To consider strength and accuracy when making claims
• To understand the concept of critical voice 

Unit 3

Refining your text

• To explore the elements of a ‘typical’ body paragraph
• To analyse different ways to package information
• To meet readers’ expectations in large and small-scale organisation
• To recognise and practise text organisation patterns 

Unit 4

Academic style

• To develop awareness of academic style
• To practise ways of ways of making texts more academic
• To analyse introductions and conclusions of academic texts

• Monday 14:10-16:00 (Central Campus)
• Monday 15:10-17:00 (Online)
• Tuesday 11:10-13:00 (Holyrood Campus)
• Tuesday 14:10-16:00 (Holyrood Campus)
• Tuesday15:10-17:00 (King’s Buildings)
• Wednesday 09:10-11:00 (Online)
• Thursday 09:10-11:00 (Online)
• Thursday 10:10-12:00 (Holyrood)
• Thursday 11:10-13:00 (Central)
• Thursday 14:10-16:00 (Central)
• Thursday 15:10-17:00 (Online)
• Friday 10:10-12:00 (Central Campus)

Both the in-person and online versions of the course will involve a combination of self-study and attendance at weekly classes. In class, you will have the opportunity to discuss academic writing with other students and practise language and literacy skills through independent and peer tasks.

This four-session course is delivered in-person or online and offers a session once a week of 1hr 50mins. 

You will also have an opportunity in Weeks 1 and 3 to complete and receive feedback on a short writing assignment (400-500 words) on a topic related to the session contents and your field of study.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Recognise appropriate academic writing style in your discipline.
2. Organise your writing more effectively.
3. Integrate sources effectively.
4. Recognise how to express criticality and distinguish your own voice.
5. Engage with feedback to develop autonomous writing skills.

All Undergraduate and Postgraduate students currently studying at the University of Edinburgh.

Please note that priority will be given to online/distance students in applications to the online AWIS classes.

Applications will reopen Monday 13 October 2025. Applications will then close Sunday 2 November 2025.

Apply for this course