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Introduction to Academic Reading and Writing: Draft

Draft

Cue the Reader 

  • Orient your reader with a strong thesis statement announcing the main idea. 

  • Use forecast statements to preview topics.

  • Use clear topic sentences to capture the focus of your paragraphs. 

  • Repeat words, use synonyms, and mimic sentence structure to maintain cohesion across your writing.

  • Build in transitions to emphasize logical relationships and sequences.

(from Axelrod and Cooper, The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing (Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016))

Writing Tip Icon

In your draft, move from writer-based writing (your prewriting, research notes, and outlines) to reader-based writing. Use signals to guide your reader through your writing.

Resources

  • Argument by The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
  • Flow by The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 
  • College Writing by The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill