Structuring Written Assignments

Louise Livesey

Academic Skills Adviser

This workshop will:

− Explain what ‘structure’ means

− Suggest the basic principles of providing a sound structure

− Introduce the ‘tools’ you need to manage structure within academic writing

1. What ‘structure’ means

2. First steps to good structure

3. Macrostructure: your assignment as a whole

4. Microstructure: paragraphs

5. Improving the ‘flow’ of written assignments

Today’s Plan

Structure is how ideas and material are organised in writing. It could mean…• the assignment as a whole • individual sections (the introduction/main

body/conclusion or different report elements)

• a logical order from one point to another• the internal structure of paragraphs

1.What structure means

and Activity 1: Texts with special structures

1.What structure means

Scientific = laboratory reportTechnical = design specificationMedical = case studiesSocial work = critically reflective workbooksManagerial/ Business/ Financial = feasibility studiesGeneral = dissertations and final year reports

2.First steps to good structure

Analysis

• ...of the question, brief or problem• Look for key words and conceptes

Read throu

gh your notes

• ...to refresh your memory • Look for gaps in your knowledge or understanding

Research

• ...to fill gaps• Look for ideas and evidence to support your argument

Organise

• ...which theory/concept goes with what aspect and what evidence

Key points

• ...from your notes telling you which are the important points

Structure

map/plan

• ...is a first outline of main sections and order

First draft

• ...gets your initial ideas down and then...

Revise , edit and

proof

• ...until you are happy with your final version

Submit

• Submit following the guidelines stipulated in your handbook or brief

The Rule of 3 percentages

• Introduction: 5-8%• Main body: 82-87%• Conclusion: 8-10%

3.Macrostructure:your assignment as a whole

Structure formats: The Switch

3.Macrostructure:your assignment as a whole

Firstly, you argue from one point of view for approximately half of the text and then ‘switch’ to another viewpoint until your conclusion

Structure formats: The Zig-zag

3.Macrostructure:your assignment as a whole

Your first paragraph makes one point of an argument, then you ‘zig to the next different (possibly opposing) point and argument, then you ‘zag’ back to your original argument with another point, and so on to the conclusion

Structure formats: The Snowball

3.Macrostructure:your assignment as a whole

You come to a crescendo of one point building on another and another and so on until your conclusion

Activity 3: The Zig-zag

3.Macrostructure:your assignment as a whole

Zig-zag

Against: Graduates start their working life in debt

For: Individuals do not have to pay any money back until earning a certain amount

Against: Free education for all at all levels

For: Having a loan teaches financial discipline

Against: May put off some people from attending university

For: Reduces the number of people going to university because they ‘didn’t know what else to do’

Activity 3: The Switch

3.Macrostructure:your assignment as a whole

Switch

Against: Graduates start their working life in debt

Against: Free education for all at all levels

Against: May put off some people from attending university

For: Individuals do not have to pay any money back until earning a certain amount

For: Having a loan teaches financial discipline

For: Reduces the number of people going to university because they ‘didn’t know what else to do’

substantive paragraph: make points that build argument.

4.Microstructure: paragraphs

Essay or report

ParagraphDifferent elements

Assignment

One point

Introduce topicExplain and clarifyPoint to makeEvidenceConclusion/link

bridging paragraphs…• Offer a link when there is no easy-to-

establish signpost to what is coming up next

• Can be shorter than regular paragraphs • May be descriptive rather than substantive• May still contain citations to reference any

material used to establish a new ‘direction’.

4.Microstructure: paragraphs

A.On the other hand, justice can be defined from a cultural point of view. Some see crime as an action against the law of god regardless of whether it is against the statutory law or not. For instance in some world religions, abortion is a crime as it is against theological doctrine to have an abortion so someone may be seen as a criminal, as they are going against the law of god and justice must be done. Whereas, people who do not see crime as a cultural thing would not see abortion as a crime if legally it is the mother’s decision whether or not to have an abortion, so no justice is needed. Crime can, therefore, be seen from a different perspective: known as a ‘sin’. As such, sinning may not be seen as a crime but still may be seen as a wrongful act. For example, lying can be seen as only a sin but lying in court before a jury comprised of peers goes beyond merely being ‘sinful’ and instead, will be seen as a crime and justice must be done (Smith, 2012).

Answer: The clue is the introductory phrase, ‘on the other hand’ which suggests an opposing point was being made in the previous paragraph and this will be a response. This paragraph deals with one point: that ‘justice can be defined from a cultural point of view’.

4.Microstructure: paragraphs

B.In the western world, there have been shifts in the definition of justice over time. These shifts are often due to a differential focus on either of two elements of justice, i.e. ‘justice as fairness’ or ‘justice as alterity’ (Hudson, 2001). The concept of ‘justice as fairness’ has its roots in classical theory from the Enlightenment period. The central theme here is that people should be treated equally no matter what their social status, and hence there should be similar punishments for similar kinds of crimes (Lanier, 2010). However, this perspective has limitations; critics argue that it is unjust to treat people from different backgrounds and in different circumstances equally and that this leads to unfair discrimination (Lanier and Henry, 2004). The idea of ‘justice as alterity’ holds that consideration should be given to the personal circumstances of the offenders and thus punishment and rehabilitation could differ even if offenders have committed similar crimes (Jefferson, 2011). The rehabilitation model, which was applied in the UK and USA in the 1960s, is an example of the application of this concept (Hudson, 2001).

Answer: This paragraph argues two opposing arguments relating to how offenders should be treated in relation to their background. It is being used to move the reader towards ‘(Hudson’s) rehabilitation model’.

4.Microstructure: paragraphs

5.Improving the flow of written assignments

Transitional words and phrases are used… • for establishing cohesion. • for enhancing

understandability• for improving connection to

your points and argument

References

Cottrell, S. (2013) The Study Skills Handbook. 4th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Inspiration Software (2013) hinking and Planning Graphic Organizer and Outline Examples. Portland: Inspiration Software, Inc. [online] Available from: http://www.inspiration.com/webspirationclassroom-thinking-and-planning-examples [Accessed 11.3.2014]

Massey University Signpost Words and Phrases. Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey University. [online] Available from: http://owll.massey.ac.nz/pdf/studyup-essays-2-handout.pdf [Accessed 5.3.2014]

Neville, C. (2009) How to improve your assignment results. Maidenhead: OUP.

Potter, C. (2013) Week One: Straight Back into the Fray. Dundee: ‘Calum Potter’ Wordpress. [online] Available from: http://interaction.dundee.ac.uk/~cpotter/wordpress/?author=1 [Accessed 11.3.2014]

References

Student Learning Centre (2008) Essay Terms Explained [online]. Leicester: University of Leicester. [online] Available from: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/writing/writing-resources/essay-terms [Accessed 5.2.2014]

University of North Carolina. Transitions. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North. [online] Available from: Carolina https://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/transitions/ [Accessed 5.3.2014]

University of Roehampton (2013) Unit 5 – Essay Planning. Roehampton: Studentzone. [online] Available from: http://studentzone.roehampton.ac.uk/howtostudy/academicwriting/unit5/ [Accessed 5.3.2014]

University of Sussex (2013) Study Success at Sussex. Brighton: University of Sussex. [online] Available from: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/?id=150 [5.3.2014].

Write.com. (2013) Transitional Phrases. Swansea, Illinois: Write.com. [online] Available from: http://www.write.com/writing-resources-articles/general-writing/mechanics/transitional-phrases/ [5.3.2014]

Academic Skills Advice Service

• Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23• What do we do? Support undergraduate students with

their academic skills by running clinics and workshops, having bookable appointment slots, and enabling students to drop-in for Instant Advice.

• Who are we? Michael and Helen specialise in Maths Support; Lucy and Russell advise students on study skills; and I (Louise) deliver the workshops

• When can you come for help? Everyday both face to face and on-line

• How do I get in touch? Email: academic-skills@brad.ac.uk or website www.brad.ac.uk/academic-skills

Any questions?