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Build your academic vocabulary one step at a time. Each week, the Writing Support Center highlights a useful word to help you write clearly, think deeply, and speak with confidence in academic and professional settings. A stronger vocabulary builds sharper thinking — and a stronger voice.
Word of the Week
The Word of the Week series introduces students to carefully selected academic vocabulary that strengthens writing, deepens thinking, and improves spoken communication. Each word is chosen for its usefulness across disciplines — from IT and Engineering to Law, Media, English, and the Social Sciences.
A strong vocabulary improves clarity, sharpens analysis, and enhances your ability to express complex ideas with accuracy and confidence. Whether you are writing an assignment, preparing a presentation, or participating in a discussion, these weekly words help you build a stronger
academic and professional voice.
Visit the WSC webpage each week to discover a new word, learn its meaning and usage, and begin incorporating it into your writing and speaking. Small, consistent steps in vocabulary growth lead to major improvements in communication — in the classroom, at university, and in the professional world.
8-Week Word of the Week Cycle
Write clearly. Think deeply. Speak confidently.
Each entry includes the word, clear definition, and a model sentence suitable for academic
writing.
Week 1 — Articulate
Meaning: able to express ideas clearly and effectively in speech or writing.
Sentence: Effective leaders must be able to articulate their ideas in ways that inspire understanding and action.
Week 2 — Substantiate
Meaning: to support a claim or argument with evidence.
Sentence: Students are encouraged to substantiate their viewpoints with credible academic sources.
Week 3 — Feasible
Meaning: possible, practical, or achievable.
Sentence: The engineering team evaluated whether the proposed design was feasible within available resources.
Week 4 — Impartial
Meaning: fair, neutral, free from bias.
Sentence: A judge must remain impartial, basing decisions solely on the evidence presented. sources.
Week 5 — Nuanced
Meaning: showing subtle meaning, complexity, or distinction.
Sentence: A nuanced interpretation of literature goes beyond the surface to uncover deeper themes.
Week 6 — Innovate
Meaning: to introduce new ideas, methods, or approaches.
Sentence: Modern industries require graduates who can innovate and respond to emerging cha challenges.
Week 7 — Coherent
Meaning: logical, well-organised, and easy to understand.
Sentence: A coherent argument helps the reader follow the writer’s reasoning effortlessly.
Week 8 — Credible
Meaning: trustworthy, reliable, believable.
Sentence: Students must rely on credible sources to produce strong research papers.