ASSIGNMENT-WRITING
Angie Parkinson
How to structure and organise
your essays / assignments
Construction
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Like a building, essays gain structure/and
shape from elements:
Scaffolding: the essay plan
Design: your argument
Central Framework: main elements or
parts (Intro / Body / Conclusion)
Bricks: paragraphs
Reinforcement: wording
Title / Question / Brief
All your answer should focus on this. Keep
checking the exact wording as you write
•
your plan
•
your draft
The Plan
1.
2.
3.
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Draw up a plan before starting to write
Make the plan detailed.
Show the content of:
Introduction
Main body
Conclusion
Does it flow logically?
Are all main points covered?
How to plan an argument:
Divide a page lengthways
• On the left:
jot down important
info or data (‘facts’)
• Use arrows to
connect ‘facts’ to
arguments
• On the right:
jot down the main
arguments (for and
against)
Writing persuasive argument (1)
Differentiate between:
• Facts
can be checked against evidence
• Opinions
= personal viewpoints / beliefs
• Arguments
= viewpoints + evidence
Writing persuasive argument (2)
• State your position: sum it up in one brief
sentence
• Support your point of view: with ‘reliable’
evidence
• Consider the opposition: have they a
better argument? Try to show otherwise
The Introduction (10%)
• Refer directly to the title
• Explain how you interpret it (eg by
rephrasing it)
• What issues are you going to explore?
• How will you deal with each issue, and in
which order?
• (After draft is written) Does the Intro still
hold good?
The main body (1)
• May be divided into 3 or 4 sub-sections
• Develop your argument / point of view
 Paragraph 1
*In first sentence
introduce main idea of paragraph
*In other sentences
develop the idea (details,
evidence, examples, quotes)
• Each paragraph or sub-section should centre
round a main issue
The main body (2)
• Paragraph 2 and others
* link new paragraph to previous paragraph
(using appropriate Connectives)
*Introduce main idea of paragraph
* Develop the idea (as above)
* Use words and phrases that highlight
your point and show the direction
of your argument.
Conclusion (10% )
• Don’t introduce new work, quote/repeat detailed
evidence.
• Refer directly to title and aims when drafting.
• Summarise argument/main points
• State general conclusions, refer to evidence in body of
essay; don’t allow personal bias.
• Say why these conclusions are important/ significant
• Suggest areas where further knowledge is required
• Sum up argument (briefly) - link it to the title.
• Check you have done what you promised in your Intro
Bibliography etc
• List all books, articles, websites, materials
used – in the manner required by your
School / Course
• Label all illustrations / diagrams / tables