Ask the Elephant is a new online resource developed by the UK’s leading charity for writers, the Royal Literary Fund (RLF). It was developed to complement the RLF’s existing support for students’ writing. This new website is primarily aimed at university students and provides them with an accessible and creative new format that gives targeted responses to their questions about how to improve their academic writing alongside actual examples. Quick, clear answers to the most common concerns are bolstered by additional detail and links to other material for students who want to explore further.
The guidance is divided into twelve categories, each of which represents an essential step in the process of researching and writing an academic essay. For each category there is a main ‘At a Glance’ page, as well as extra material; both can be downloaded as a pdf file.
Ask the Elephant was developed by experienced RLF Writing Fellows Jane Rogoyska and Tim Walker, along with Allia Wilson, who headed the Student Learning Advisory Service at the University of Kent, Kona Macphee at Fidgety Lizard Digital Media and Dr David Swinburne, Director of Digital at the Royal Literary Fund.
It was created in response to a unique UK-wide survey in which 500 students from 45 universities provided input on what they want to know about writing essays and other assignments, and how they prefer to learn. Ask the Elephant offers clear, targeted responses to the questions students have told us matter to them, presented in an easy-to-use format that is accessible on a phone, tablet, laptop or desktop.
We hope you enjoy using Ask the Elephant and welcome any feedback at feedback@asktheelephant.org.uk.
