Writing Critically

A Guide to Research, Referencing and Writing Critically

By: Louis Rogers

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

WRITING CRITICALLY: A GUIDE TO RESEARCH, REFERENCING & ACADEMIC ARGUMENT

Write clearer, better-argued essays and research papers.
This book takes you step by step from reading critically to building a strong argument—then shows you how to integrate sources and reference them correctly. Structured lessons, practical exercises, and a useful phrase bank make the process clear and doable. With examples for APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard.

What you’ll learn

• Critical reading & source evaluation: credibility, relevance, bias, and how to compare studies.

• Analysing the question: unpacking key terms and planning a focused response.

• Essay structure & cohesion: thesis statements, topic sentences, paragraph flow, and clear conclusions.

• Using sources effectively: summarising, paraphrasing, quoting, and avoiding plagiarism.

• Academic style & clarity: hedging, stance, signposting, and concise, formal tone.

• Referencing made simple: how in-text citations and reference lists work across APA, MLA, Chicago, and Harvard (with notes on common institutional variations).

How the book works

• Clear, bite-size lessons with everyday examples and model paragraphs.

• Phrase bank for argument building, reporting verbs, and cautious language.

• Guided practice after each lesson, plus self-checklists and review tasks.

• Referencing quick-reference tables and worked examples (in-text + end references).

What’s inside

• Units on argument structure, evidence and counterargument, paragraph design, and synthesis of sources.

• Practical activities that move from guided practice to independent writing.

• Model intros, body paragraphs, and conclusions with margin notes showing structure, linking, and tone.

• A compact referencing section covering the essentials of APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard.

Who it’s for

• University and college students writing essays, projects, or research papers.

• EAP learners and returning students who want a reliable, straightforward guide to academic argument and referencing.

Build a persuasive argument, use sources with confidence, and reference accurately—so your writing is clear, credible, and ready for submission.