Structure your writing

August 7, 2014

Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au

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STRUCTURE

YOUR

WRITING

© 2013 Learning Development

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2 In this session we will:

• Identify the overall structure of an argument

• Identify how the argument is structured in

– Paragraphs

– Introductions & conclusions

• Identify how structure synthesises various points of

view

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Structured argument v Information

• Uses critical analysis to make an informed opinion

• Presents information relevant to a specific perspective, or position

• Acknowledges other points of view

• Answers possible challenges

• Outlines or shows a situation without analysis

• Presents all information with no focussed position

• Does not consider other

points of view

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Sample text: The HR essay

• Read the essay

– The introduction & conclusion are fully written

– The paragraphs are “skeletons”

• Consider:

– How we know what the writer’s position is

– How each paragraph is structured to support this position

– How other points of view are incorporated into the structure

Introduction

• Computer technology has made a dramatic difference to the nature

of training delivery and administration. However, it is simplistic to

suggest that the Human Resource (HR) professional will be

usurped. Rather, while effective computer-based training has a

place in the HR function, the human element is still essential to staff

training. It is becoming increasingly evident that technological

developments are not without limitations, and that the most

successful approach is to blend traditional instruction with self-

paced computer learning. Furthermore, HR professionals still have

a significant role in course design, training needs analysis and

evaluation. This discussion focuses on e-learning (or online

learning), as it is the most controversial development and is having

the greatest impact on the training function. (120 wds)

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THESIS

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SUSTAINED ARGUMENT

Paragraph A:

acknowledges opposing argument :

economic benefits

Paragraph B:

answers opposing argument with counter-

argument: evidence of poor learning outcomes

This is an idea

that goes against

your thesis

You use the counterargument to

refute/disprove the opposing argument

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SUSTAINED ARGUMENT

Paragraph C:

confirms own position (thesis): argument for the blended approach

Paragraph D:

confirms own position: case study evidence supports blended approach arguments

1. acknowledges opposing argument about

cost effectiveness

2. however, evidence of personal interaction

confirms own thesis

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SUSTAINED ARGUMENT

Paragraph E:

acknowledges a second opposing argument about training design:

1. evidence advocating computer technology in design

2. however, confirms own thesis with counter- evidence about importance of human element

Paragraph F:

confirms own thesis: argument for training needs analysis

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Sustained argument… a) Advocates of online learning promote its advantages over traditional

instructor-led training.

b) Nonetheless, there is evidence that organisational enthusiasm for e-learning

is waning.

c) In the light of these arguments, a blended approach to e-learning seems to be

a viable alternative.

d) The success of the blended approach is evident in organisations which have

whole-heartedly embraced online learning.

e) While computer-based training may be successfully blended with face-to-face

instruction, the analysis of training needs remains one of the most important

areas in training, and this process is not easily performed by software.

f) As well as this analytical role, HR professionals are needed for specific

training design functions.

[acknowledgement of evidence that challenges thesis]

[evidence to answer challenge and support thesis]

[evidence to support thesis]


[evidence that challenges thesis; this evidence immediately challenged to

support thesis]


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Paragraph structure…

Topic sentence [topic & an idea about it]

+ elaboration of the idea

+ examples [if appropriate]

+ concluding sentence [if appropriate]

» sums up the point of the paragraph

» may comment on relevance of the paragraph by referring back to thesis

» may not always be necessary if it interrupts flow to next point

See examples of Topic Sentence in the Handout

Topic Sentences

1. Identify the clearly stated topic and the controlling idea

about that topic:

Despite the fact that many people may object, daylight saving

should be extended to all states because it is an effective

way to reduce electricity consumption.

What might be included in the paragraph controlled by this

topic sentence?

• An explanation of daylight saving

• Which states observe daylight saving

• The ways in which daylight saving helps save electricity

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TOPIC

Controlling idea

Topic Sentences

Oil is an everyday commodity. (from an essay about oil

consumption)

• Is this a good topic sentence? Why/why not?

– It is a topic, but there’s no idea. It is simply a statement

of fact.

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13 Structured paragraph

Capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime. Statistics show that in

states with capital punishment, murder rates are the same, or almost

the same, as states without capital punishment. For example, in

NSW, where the death penalty was abolished in 1955, the homicide

rate remained the same for the five years before and the five years

after abolition (Giles, 1989, p. 56). Furthermore, the homicide rate

actually decreased in the next twenty years, from 6 per 100,000 to

4.4. per 100,000 (Giles, 1989, p. 56). These figures suggest, then,

that the re-instatement of the death penalty would have little effect as

a deterrent.

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14 Cohesion within a paragraph

Another difference among the world’s seas and oceans is that the

salinity varies in different climate zones. For example, the Baltic Sea in

Northern Europe is only one-fourth as saline as the Red Sea in the

Middle East. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, in warm climates,

water evaporates rapidly and the concentration of salt is therefore

greater. Secondly, the surrounding land is dry and does not contribute

much fresh water to dilute the salty sea water. However, in cold

climate zones, water evaporates slowly and, furthermore, the runoff

created by melting snow adds a considerable amount of fresh water to

dilute the saline sea water.

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Coherent, cohesive paragraph

Advocates of online learning quote a range of advantages over

traditional instructor-led training. The most immediate advantage is

that online learning facilitates ease of delivery where employees

may be geographically dispersed (Noe, 2002), or where the task of

organising a physical space for training would take time or even

production space (Dobbs, 2000). Consequently, a significant

advantage of online learning is that it is cost effective: the company

does not incur travel expenses or lose production hours. Given

these savings in costs, it would seem that computer technology may

easily replace the HR professional.

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Cohesion between Paragraphs…

[A] Advocates of online learning often refer to its economic vantages over traditional instructor-led training...

[B] Nonetheless, there is evidence to suggest that these benefits may be an example of false economizing…

[C] However, it is not simply a matter of choosing between two methods of training… (blended approach)…

[D] The success of the blended approach is evident in two case studies…

[E] While the role of the HR professional might be secure regarding delivery of content, it has been argued that he/she is not needed for the design of such content…

[F] Finally, the analysis of training needs remains one of the most important areas in training…

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17 OR…

Could the argument

be organised a different way?

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A different line of argument…

[1] Advocates of online learning often refer to its economic advantages over

traditional instructor-led training...

[2] Nonetheless, there is evidence to suggest that these benefits may be

outweighed by the disadvantage of poor learning outcomes.

[3] Good learning outcomes are determined by good design, and some would

argue that software is capable of that function.

[4] Fundamental to good design is the adequate analysis of training needs, a

task not easily performed by software.

[5] However, it is not simply a matter of choosing between two methods of

training… (blended approach)…

[6] The success of the blended approach is evident in two case studies…

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Introductions:

• should introduce topic, or address the question/problem,

and/or indicate purpose (report)

• may give background or definition

• should present your position (thesis statement)

• should outline the progression of arguments you are going to

make

• may indicate scope of discussion

• is generally 10% of the total words for the essay

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Computer technology has made a dramatic difference to the nature of training delivery and administration.

ORIENTATION

However, it is simplistic to suggest that the role of the Human Resource Development (HR) professional will be usurped.

ADDRESSES

QUESTION

Rather, while effective computer-based training has a place in the HR function, the human element is still essential to staff training.

THESIS

It is becoming increasingly evident that [1] technological developments are not without limitations, and that [2] the most successful approach is to blend traditional instruction with self-paced computer learning. Furthermore, [3] HR professionals still have a significant role in training needs analysis, course design & evaluation.

OUTLINE

STATEMENTS

This discussion focuses on e-learning (or online learning), as it is the most controversial development and is having the greatest impact on the training function.

SCOPE STATEMENT

(definition)

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Conclusions:

• summarise key points

• restate thesis position

• may qualify thesis

• no new arguments

• should reflect the introduction

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Technology has changed the role of the HR professional, RETURN TO TOPIC

yet given its complexities and limitations, it is not foreseeable that the computer will entirely replace the human element required in the design, delivery and evaluation of training. The HR professional is still required

RESTATE THESIS

[with summary references]

to ensure that online course content and design is aligned to organisational goals and individual needs. Software programs cannot adequately implement quality teaching and learning principles, such as assessing a learner’s need for practice opportunities, or providing feedback that is relevant to the individual. The analysis of training needs, and the design and evaluation of learning outcomes relies on the expertise of HR staff. Consequently, the most successful approaches to using technology have incorporated a blend of self-paced e-learning and traditional face-to-face instruction.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS

E-learning raises more questions than solutions, and it will be the role of the HR professional to bring the necessary human element and organisational perspective to the equation.

FINISHING STATEMENT [restating thesis]

More help…

• Go to the LD Blackboard

• See a Learning Adviser for an individual consultation

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Education

Structure your writing