Academic Writing

The Academic Writing Program at the University of Sydney is the first of its kind in Australia and is enjoying research partnerships with leading North American universities, including Stanford and the University of California at Davis.

Under the past direction of Dr Susan Thomas and under the current direction of Professor William Foley, the Program features a pair of undergraduate units (WRIT1001) and (WRIT1002) and a postgraduate unit (ARTS7000), all designed to offer students enhanced abilities and increased confidence in cross-cultural communication and academic writing and argumentation. Since assessment across all disciplines and all faculties within the University relies on the quality of written assignments, these units will offer students valuable specialised instruction in Academic Communication across and within the disciplines. The Academic Writing Program also includes a dedicated postgraduate writing advisor, Dr Bronwen Dyson, who assists Faculty of Arts students with dissertations and theses, and the Write Site, a comprehensive online resource designed to help students at all levels with their writing.

Plans are underway for a Writing Hub, which will offer students further support in academic writing via face-to-face individualised and group tutorials in a state-of-the-art learning environment, modelled on the Stanford Writing Center.