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Academic questions, answered
Quick, plain-English answers to the questions students ask most. Need help with your own? Get a free quote.
How many references should an undergraduate essay have?
As a rough guide, around one source per 100–150 words of an argument-led essay, but always follow your module's guidance. Quality and relevance matter more than raw count.
What's the difference between a thesis and a dissertation?
Usage varies by country, but generally a dissertation is associated with undergraduate/Masters work and a thesis with doctoral research. Both present original analysis around a research question.
How do I write a strong thesis statement?
State one clear, arguable position in a single sentence. It should answer the question, take a stance, and preview the line of reasoning the essay will follow.
Is paraphrasing still plagiarism if I cite the source?
Paraphrasing with a citation is fine — but you must genuinely rewrite in your own words and structure. Changing a few words while keeping the original sentence is patchwriting and still counts as plagiarism.
What is a literature review supposed to do?
Synthesise and critically evaluate existing research on your topic, group it by theme, and identify the gap your work addresses — it's an argument about the literature, not a summary list.
How long should a research proposal be?
It depends on your department, but most are 1,000–3,000 words covering the problem, aims, methodology, timeline and key references. Always check your specific requirements.
What referencing style should I use?
Follow whatever your department specifies. If it doesn't: APA for social sciences, Harvard for business, MLA for humanities, OSCOLA for law, IEEE for engineering, Vancouver for medicine.
How do I avoid losing marks on structure?
Use a clear introduction with a thesis, one idea per paragraph with a topic sentence, evidence and explanation, and a conclusion that returns to your argument.
Can I use AI tools for my coursework?
Policies vary by institution and many restrict it. Check your academic integrity policy first — and never submit unverified AI output as your own analysis.
What's the best way to handle a tight deadline?
Break the task into research, outline, draft and edit, give each a time slot, draft fast and edit later, and keep a buffer for proofreading and references.
How many sources is too few for a dissertation literature review?
There's no fixed number, but a thin review signals shallow reading. Cover the seminal works and the current debate in your field; your supervisor can confirm the expected depth.
Do markers really check references?
Often, yes — and broken or invented references are an easy way to fail. Make sure every in-text citation has a matching, accurate entry in your reference list.