Introduction
This session introduces students to the more detailed structure of an essay than was covered in the
previous session. Here they work with the idea of a micro and macrostructure – the idea that the
overall essay must have a structure as well as each paragraph have a structure. They also use the idea
of transition words and phrases to link between ideas and paragraphs.
Learning Objective
Students will identify and use the concepts of micro and macrostructure when writing an essay,
focusing on the content of each paragraph and the transitions between paragraphs.
Learning Outcomes
1. Recall that an essay should have a macrostructure – thesis statement, outline and conclusion
and identify these in example texts.
2. Recall that an essay should have a microstructure – topic sentence, support and concluding
sentence and identify these in example texts.
3. Identify a list of transition signals to indicate when paragraphs are linked together.
4. Use the microstructure and transition signals to create a two (or more) paragraph document
which can then be peer assessed.
Timings: 20 minutes but could be extended as long as needed by adding in extra practice for writing
paragraphs and peer assessing these paragraphs. Some formative examples of past essays or
paragraphs related to the specific course would be beneficial for students to see examples of good
practice and identify why they are good practice, in terms of micro and macrostructure and
transitions.
Pre-activity Requirements from Students:
It would be useful if students could bring an example of an essay they have written to analyse for its
micro and macrostructure. It would also be useful if they could bring their documentation from the
previous session (they should have a mindmap or linear essay plan), as this session follows on from
it, expanding on how to plan an essay in more detail.
Resources: Student resource booklet, pages 3-7
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Activity Outline
Pg.
Activity
Outcome
3-4
1. Students discuss how an essay is structured and are introduced to the idea of a
macrostructure via the worksheet on pg. 3.
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2. Students identify the thesis statement, outline and conclusion in the examples on pg.4.
5-6
3. Students discuss how a paragraph is structured and are introduced to the idea of a
microstructure via the worksheet on pg. 5.
4. Students identify the topic sentence, supporting evidence and concluding evidence in the
examples on pg. 6.
5-7
5. Students are given a topic either by the lecturer or by using the topic on pg. 5 and write at
least a two paragraph essay on the topic, demonstrating use of the microstructure and
transition words in pg. 7. Students swap and peer assess, giving useful feedback to each other.
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Optional Self-study for extension of skills using Skills4study Campus
Writing skills
Skills4study campus can be accessed from: http://www.skills4studycampus.com/orglogin.aspx
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