Use our writing support decision tool to help identify what writing support you need.
Popular pages on the Skills website
Select the statement that best describes how you feel about writing at university.
I’m new to university writing and don’t know where to start
This sounds like you if:
- You’re worried about your first assignment.
- You’re unsure what academic writing looks like.
- You’re confused by what the assessment brief is asking for.
- You’re unsure how to structure your assignment or where to start.
Recommended support:
eLearning
- Writing at University.
- Academic Writing Style.
- Approaching your assessments: six steps to success.
- Understanding Assessment Brief.
- Approaching your Essay.
One-to-One Appointments
If you have completed the eLearning and still require support, you can book a one-to-one appointment with your Learning and Skills Team. We offer appointments on campus (face-to-face) and online.
It’s been a long time since I last wrote an academic assignment
This sounds like you if:
- You’re returning to study after a long break.
- You feel out of practice with academic writing.
- You’re unsure what university‑level writing looks like now.
- You want a refresher on how to structure, plan or approach assignments.
Recommended support:
eLearning
- Writing at University.
- Academic Writing Style.
- Approaching your assessments: six steps to success.
- Understanding Assessment Brief.
- Approaching your Essay.
One-to-One Appointments
If you have completed the eLearning and still require support, you can book a one-to-one appointment with your Learning and Skills Team. We offer appointments on campus (face-to-face) and online.
My writing is okay but I want to improve it
This sounds like you if:
- You want to write more clearly or confidently.
- You’re aiming to develop a more critical style.
- You’re aiming to develop a more reflective style.
Recommended support:
eLearning
- Using Evidence in Your Work.
- Writing Proper Paragraphs.
- Critical Writing.
- Introduction to Reflective Writing.
Workshops
We offer a wide range of academic skills workshops delivered online. Our workshops are FREE to attend for all students. View the schedule and book your place in Advantage.
- Writing Proper Paragraphs.
- Develop your critical and analytical skills.
- Using Evidence in your Work.
- Constructing and Deconstructing Arguments.
- Writing Lab.
One-to-One Appointments
If you have completed the eLearning and still require support, you can book a one-to-one appointment with your Learning and Skills Team. We offer appointments on campus (face-to-face) and online.
I’ve had feedback that I need to improve my writing
This sounds like you if:
- You’ve been told to improve clarity, structure or your argument.
- You're unsure how to use sources or evidence effectively to support your argument.
- You need help understanding feedback comments.
Recommended support:
eLearning
- Using Evidence in your Work.
- Writing Proper paragraphs.
- Critical Writing.
- How to Use Your Feedback.
- Feedback Glossary (need to upload this).
Workshops
We offer a wide range of academic skills workshops delivered online. Our workshops are FREE to attend for all students. View the schedule and book your place in Advantage.
- Writing Proper Paragraphs.
- Develop your critical and analytical skills.
- Using Evidence in your Work.
- Constructing and Deconstructing Arguments.
One-to-One Appointments
If you have completed the eLearning and still require support, you can book a one-to-one appointment with your Learning and Skills Team. We offer appointments on campus (face-to-face) and online.
I need help with English as a second language
This sounds like you if:
- You can speak English but find academic English difficult.
- You want to improve grammar, vocabulary, or clarity.
- You’re not confident with UK university academic conventions.
Recommended support:
Workshops
If English isn't your first language then you may benefit from the workshops offered by LEAP (Learn English for Academic Purposes). Their free online English language webinars and support is designed to help you develop your academic English so that your work is of a higher quality.
LEAP Workshop topics are:
- Hedging and Cautious Language.
- Linking Ideas.
- Paraphrasing.
- Citation.
- Referencing.
- Signposting Ideas.
- Planning and Organising Written Work.
- Synthesising Ideas.
For more information visit the LEAP webpages.
eLearning
- Writing at University.
- Academic Writing Style.
- Writing Clear Sentences.
- Writing Proper paragraphs.
- Writing with Proper Punctuation (LinkedIn Learning Course).
- Using Assistive Tech for Translation.
You may also find the British Council's LearnEnglish website useful as a starting point.
One-to-One Tutorials
If you have attended the workshops and still require support, you can book a one-to-one tutorial with your Learning and Skills Team. We offer tutorials on campus (face-to-face) and online.
I have a specific learning difficulty (SpLD) or neurodiverse condition
This sounds like you if:
- You have dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD or another SpLD.
- You suspect you may have an SpLD.
- You need study strategies that work for your learning style.
Recommended support:
If you have, or suspect you might have, a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD, or any other neurodiverse condition that affects your learning you can contact the askUS Disability Inclusion Service for support with your studies. They support neurodiverse students, provide dyslexia assessments, can develop Reasonable Adjustment Plans and can provide assisting software.
eLearning
You have access to a range of supportive and assistive tech tools to help you study, work, and engage with information more effectively - whether that’s reading with ease, organising your thoughts, writing confidently, or staying focused. They’re designed to boost accessibility, productivity, and make digital learning more manageable.
- Reading, Writing and Listening Support in Office 365.
- Reading and Writing Support with Copilot GenAI.
- Organisation and Focus Support using Office 365.
- Set up Assistive Tech on your Device.
- Access alternative formats in Blackboard with Ally.
- Assistive Tech Apps available at the University of Salford.
- Using Assistive Tech for Translation.
I need help with punctuation, grammar or sentence structure
This sounds like you if:
- You struggle with sentence clarity.
- You find punctuation rules confusing.
- You want to produce cleaner, more accurate writing.
Recommended support:
eLearning
- Writing Clear Sentences.
- Writing Proper paragraphs.
- Writing with Proper Punctuation (LinkedIn Learning Course).
- Academic Writing Style.
- Writing at University.
You may also find the BBC Bitesize Grammar website useful as a starting point.
Workshops
We offer a wide range of academic skills workshops delivered online. Our workshops are FREE to attend for all students. View the schedule and book your place in Advantage.
- Writing Clear Sentences: From Simple to Complex.
- Writing Proper Paragraphs.
- Using Punctuation for Style and Clarity.
One-to-One Appointments
If you have completed the eLearning and still require support, you can book a one-to-one appointment with your Learning and Skills Team. We offer appointments on campus (face-to-face) and online.
I need help with reading, research or referencing
This sounds like you if:
- You struggle to understand academic texts such as books and journal articles.
- You don’t know how to find or evaluate sources.
- You’re unsure how to reference correctly or avoid plagiarism.
Recommended support:
eLearning
- Use Library Search to find Academic Information.
- Evaluating Sources.
- Reading and Note-Taking.
- Using Evidence in your Work.
- Introduction to Referencing.
- Academic Integrity in Assessments (avoiding plagiarism).
Style Guides and Reference Examples
Workshops
We offer a wide range of academic skills workshops delivered online. Our workshops are FREE to attend for all students. View the schedule and book your place in Advantage.
- Get started with Library Search and searching the web well
- Finding and using journal articles and databases
- Using evidence in your work
- Get started with referencing
- Refresh your referencing skills
One-to-One Appointments
If you have completed the eLearning and still require support, you can book a one-to-one appointment with your Learning and Skills Team. We offer appointments on campus (face-to-face) and online.
I need help using digital tools for writing
This sounds like you if:
- You find Word, formatting, or document layout challenging.
- You need help using Turnitin, referencing tools, or GenAI tools responsibly.
Recommended support:
eLearning
I’m starting my dissertation or research project and feel unsure how to begin.
This sounds like you if:
- You’re worried about your first assignment.
- You’re unsure what academic writing looks like.
- You’re confused by what the assessment brief is asking for.
- You’re unsure how to structure your assignment or where to start.
Recommended support:
eLearning
- Writing at University.
- Academic Writing Style.
- Approaching your assessments: six steps to success.
- Understanding Assessment Brief.
- Approaching your Essay.
One-to-One Appointments
If you have completed the eLearning and still require support, you can book a one-to-one appointment with your Learning and Skills Team. We offer appointments on campus (face-to-face) and online.