Academic Writing Glossary
Straight answers to the definition questions US students search most — each written to be quotable, cited to current style guidance, and linked to the tool or service that solves it.
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is a single sentence, usually at the end of your introduction, that states the specific claim your essay will prove. A strong thesis is arguable, narrow enough to defend in the assigned word count, and previews the reasoning the body paragraphs will follow.
What is APA format?
APA format is the citation and document style of the American Psychological Association, now in its 7th edition. It uses author–date in-text citations such as (Mitchell, 2024), a References list in alphabetical order, 1-inch margins, double spacing, and a title page. It dominates psychology, nursing, education and business courses.
What is MLA format?
MLA format is the Modern Language Association style, currently in its 9th edition, used in literature, languages and the humanities. It uses author–page in-text citations such as (Chen 42), a Works Cited page, double spacing, 1-inch margins and a first-page header instead of a title page.
What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is presenting someone else's words, ideas, data or structure as your own without attribution. It covers copy-paste, close paraphrasing without a citation, reusing your own graded work (self-plagiarism), and buying work you submit unchanged. Most US universities treat it as academic misconduct regardless of intent.
What is a literature review?
A literature review is a structured synthesis of the existing published research on a topic. It groups studies by theme or method, evaluates their quality, and identifies the gap your own research will address. It is an argument about the state of knowledge, not a list of summaries.
What is a research question?
A research question is the specific, answerable question your study is designed to investigate. A good one is focused, feasible with your data and timeframe, and phrased so the answer is not already obvious. It drives your method, your literature review scope and your analysis.
What is an annotated bibliography?
An annotated bibliography is a reference list where each citation is followed by a short paragraph — usually 100–200 words — summarising the source, assessing its credibility, and explaining how it supports your project. It is graded on evaluation, not summary.
What is a case study?
A case study is an in-depth analysis of one organisation, patient, event or group, examined in its real-world context. Academic case studies follow a fixed pattern: situation, problem, theory-based analysis, alternatives, recommendation and implementation.
What is Turnitin and how does it work?
Turnitin is the similarity-detection service most US universities use. It compares your submission with academic publications, the open web and a repository of previously submitted student papers, then returns a similarity report showing matched text and its sources. It also flags likely AI-generated writing.
What is peer review?
Peer review is the process where independent experts in a field evaluate a manuscript's method, evidence and conclusions before a journal publishes it. Peer-reviewed sources are the highest-credibility evidence you can cite in a college paper.
What is a dissertation?
A dissertation is an extended, original research project submitted for a degree — typically 15,000–20,000 words at master's level and 60,000–100,000 words for a doctorate in the US. It contains an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion and conclusion, supervised across several months.
What is academic integrity?
Academic integrity is the commitment to honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage in all academic work. In practice it means submitting work you can account for, crediting every source, and following your instructor's stated rules on collaboration and AI use.