Writing Structuring Writing Debra Myhill Thinking about Structure

Writing: Structuring Writing Debra Myhill

Thinking about Structure q Think about the structure of your assignment as a way of organising your ideas or presenting your information clearly. q Think also about your reader: your structure helps your reader to follow and understand your argument, or explanation, or report. q q Think about your structure in two ways: Ø The structure of the whole text – start to finish Ø The structure of sub-sections and paragraphs. It is a good idea to plan the overall structure of your assignment before you start: it need not be detailed but it should you know from the start the route you will take to the end. 2

THE BIG PICTURE: THE STRUCTURE OF THE WHOLE TEXT 3

Structure of the whole text q You might be familiar with the idea of a beginning, a middle and an end. q Try to shift your thinking now away from this to an introduction, the development section, and a conclusion. q This is a better way to think because it reminds you of the purpose of each of the sections: Ø Introduction: here you need to introduce the topic and how you are going to address it Ø Development: here you will provide the substance of the assignment: the arguments, explanation, reporting… Ø Conclusion: here you will pull together a summary of what you have done and some concluding comments. q Try to remember these so that you can check you have all three in every piece of writing you do. 4

Structure of the Whole Text INTRODUCTION Development Point 1 Each development point is a separate section of your assignment. It could be one paragraph per point; or sub-headings with several paragraphs in each. Development Point 2 Development Point 3 Development Point 4 The development section is where all the big ideas and points are. You do not need exactly 4 points: this will vary according to the assignment, but you do usually need at least 3. CONCLUSION Reference List 5

Structure of the Whole Text INTRODUCTION LINKS Think about how will you make links and connections between development points so the whole assignment feels connected. Development Point 1 Development Point 2 Development Point 3 In what order should your development points be? There should be a logical reason for putting point 1 before point 2 etc Development Point 4 CONCLUSION Reference List 6

Before you start q Avoid launching straight into writing your assignment. Think first about what preparatory work you need to do – for example, you may need to do some reading so you have plenty of material for the assignment. q Look closely at the question (we will talk more about this next) so you are sure what you are being asked to do. q Gather together what you know about this topic which is relevant to the question: you could use a spiderdiagram; a concept map; a flowchart; a bullet point list for this. q Then map out an outline for the assignment, using the Introduction – Development – Conclusion structure. In particular, work out what your development points will be, and what is the best order to put them in. q This mapping out of the overall structure and big picture of your assignment will help you think more about the detail when you are writing, so it saves time and improves quality! 7

Answering the Question What are the command What are the topic words in this question? Explain the causes of over-production and evaluate strategies which might be used to avoid over-production. 8

TELLING COMMAND DEFINITION Describe Explain Identify ARGUING State/name Analyse Assess Discuss Evaluate Give To what extent Give a full account of all the information, including all the relevant details of any features, of a topic. Make an idea, situation or problem clear to your reader, by describing it in detail, including any relevant data or facts. State the key fact(s) about a topic or subject. The word Outline is similar. Give a definition or example. Identify several relevant facts of a topic, demonstrate how they are linked and then explain the importance of each, often in relation to the other facts. Evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of something. Write about the topic in detail, taking into account different ideas and opinions. Bring all the relevant information you have on a topic together and make a judgment (for example, on its success or importance). Your judgment should be clearly supported by the information you have gathered. Provide examples, justifications and/or reasons to a context. Review information then bring it together to form a judgement or conclusion, after giving a balanced and reasoned argument. 9

Answering the Question What are the command What are the topic words in this question? Explain the causes of over-production and evaluate strategies which might be used to avoid over-production. Explain: Make an idea, situation or problem clear to your reader, by describing it in detail, including any relevant data or facts. Evaluate: Bring all the relevant information you have on a topic together and make a judgment (for example, on its success or importance). Your judgment should be clearly supported by the information you have gathered. 10

Answering the Question What are the command What are the topic words in this question? Explain the causes of over-production and evaluate strategies which might be used to avoid over-production. The topic words tell you that you need to think about what you know about over -production and its causes; and also what you know about strategies to avoid over-production. 11

Introduction q Here you need to introduce the topic and how you are going to address it. q Remind yourself of the command word in the question – what are you being asked to do – can you use that word in your introduction eg ‘In this report, I will explain why overproduction occurs, and will evaluate strategies to address it’. q What are the key words in the question? Can you use these in the introduction? . But don’t simply repeat the question! q Provide an overview of the structure of your assignment: this is why an outline is important. For example, ‘Firstly, I will explain the concept of over-production, and then I will consider four causes of over-production: excess of suppliers; miscalculation of demand; stockpiling; and low cost raw materials. Finally, I will offer an evaluation of possible solutions [strategies] to address over-production. ’ 12

Development Here you will provide the substance of the assignment: the arguments, explanation, reporting, evaluation – again remember the command word so your development addresses that command. q Decide whether the development section of your assignment needs subheadings: these should be worded so they clearly signal what each section will address eg Ø Defining over-production Ø Over-production due to an excess of suppliers; Ø Over-production due to miscalculation of demand; Ø Over-production caused by stockpiling; Ø Over-production as a result of low-cost raw materials Ø An evaluation of strategies to address over-production q You may not need sub-headings because each of your development points is a paragraph. In this case, each paragraph must clearly address the development point. (more on paragraphs later!) q 13

Conclusion Ø Here you will pull together the points and ideas in your assignment into a concluding paragraph. Ø The conclusion is often the part of an assignment that is left out. Be very disciplined and always ask yourself have you got a conclusion. Ø The simplest conclusion is a summary of what you have written about, although don’t repeat what you have said in your introduction. Ø A more sophisticated conclusion will add some concluding remarks which are more analytical, critical or evaluative. Ø Words and phrases like: in conclusion; to sum up; in summary can help you start your concluding paragraph. Ø It also helps to repeat both the command words and the topic words from the question if possible. 14

Conclusion: Examples In conclusion, I have examined four reasons for over-production and explained how each one causes over-production. I have also considered the possible strategies to address over-production and evaluated their effectiveness. There is little doubt that over-production is not helpful in a context of market supply and demand that it reduces business profitability. Where the product is degradable, it also leads to unnecessary waste. It is critical, therefore, that producers take seriously the need to be strategic about avoiding over-production, both to increase economic competitiveness, and to address environmental sustainability. 15

Assessing your Overall Structure Addressing the Question Introduction Development Conclusion Sustained use of key words and ideas in the question, and their synonyms/antonyms throughout the assignment A strong signposting of the purpose of the assignment and how it will be structured and developed Paragraphing, topic sentences and/or subheadings are used well to develop a clear explanation or argument about complex concepts Conclusion summarising key points of assignment and adding some concluding remarks. Unsustained reference to the question, perhaps only in the introduction and conclusion, and occasionally elsewhere The introduction signals the topic focus of the assignment Limited reference to the question, except perhaps in the introduction. Paragraphing and subheadings etc are used but more as a way to divide the text, than to signal logical links. Limited or weak paragraphing with little signposting through topic sentences, subheadings etc No conclusion, or single one line conclusion Conclusion summarising what has been said No introduction, or a very superficial introduction 16

THE STRUCTURE OF SUBSECTIONS AND PARAGRAPHS 17

Structure of the Whole Text INTRODUCTION LINKS Think about how will you make links and connections between development points so the whole assignment feels connected. Development Point 1 Development Point 2 Development Point 3 In what order should your development points be? There should be a logical reason for putting point 1 before point 2 etc Development Point 4 CONCLUSION Reference List 18

Signposting: Topic Sentences q A topic sentence is a sentence which signposts what a paragraph is going to be about, and what ideas are about to be developed in the paragraph. so it is very important in structuring your writing q A topic sentence is to help your reader follow what you are saying. q Topic sentences are usually the first sentence in a paragraph, but this is a tendency not a rule. Sophisticated writing sometimes has the topic sentence second, or even later. q If you know that using topic sentences is a weakness, or something you struggle with, try these two things: Ø plan your topic sentence for each paragraph or sub-section when you do your overall big picture plan Ø make all the first sentences in each paragraph red and then check whether they are topic sentences 19

Signposting: Making Links q The use of linking words (called adverbs and adverbial phrases) to connect ideas within your paragraphs and between your paragraphs and your subsections is very important in structuring your writing. q Examples of common linking words: however; in contrast; on the other hand; to sum up; in addition… q Every time you start a new paragraph, think about how you can link it back to what has gone before. q Linking words are very important in signalling comparison or contrast, and making arguments. This is where the critical analysis and good argument become evident. 20

SIGNPOSTING IDEAS ACROSS TEXT These connectives (adverbs and adverbial phrases) help you to express how ideas in one sentence or paragraph link to the ideas in the preceding sentence or paragraph ADDING CONTRASTING COMPARING EXPLAINING SUMMING UP in addition; also; on the contrary; similarly; for example; for in conclusion; to moreover; yet; whereas; equally; instance; in conclude; to indeed; alternatively; likewise; in the other words; sum up; furthermore; instead of; same way; that is to say summing up additionally; otherwise; unlike; on the other hand; nevertheless; however; in fact; nonetheless INDICATING LISTING EMPHASISING INDICATING RESULT TIME to begin with; next; besides; after therefore; as a firstly; secondly; all; above all; meanwhile; result; finally notably; finally; lastly; consequently; next; initially; hence; thus; so; subsequently; accordingly eventually; in 21 the end;

Signposting: Making Links q There a variety of other ways to make links between your ideas, in addition to using linking words q You can use simple phrases to make links eg Another reason… A further argument is… An alternative viewpoint made by. . Different perspectives on this issue… q You can also make links through how you vary vocabulary, and use synonyms and antonyms synonyms: debate/argument/controversy; antonyms: agreement/disagreement; q Think about the topic words for your assignment: can you think of synonyms and antonyms for your topic? Try creating a topic word web. 22

Structuring your Paragraphs link POINT What is the topic of this paragraph? The key idea or argument? What will your topic sentence be? SUPPORTING EVIDENCE How can you help your reader understand your point? Provide supporting evidence; explanations and elaborations; counterpointing evidence; statements; SUMMARY/COMMENT End with a summary of the key point in paraphrase; an analytical comment on the topic, or a forwardpointing statement link 23

Structuring your Paragraphs Which burger would you prefer? Make your paragraphs meaty and layered, with good sub-points, explanations, facts and evidence. 24

Assessing your Paragraphs Addressing the Question Introduction Development Conclusion Sustained use of key words and ideas in the question, and their synonyms/antonyms throughout the assignment A strong signposting of the purpose of the assignment and how it will be structured and developed Paragraphing, topic sentences and/or subheadings are used well to develop a clear explanation or argument about complex concepts Conclusion summarising key points of assignment and adding some concluding remarks. Unsustained reference to the question, perhaps only in the introduction and conclusion, and occasionally elsewhere The introduction signals the topic focus of the assignment Limited reference to the question, except perhaps in the introduction. Paragraphing and subheadings etc are used but more as a way to divide the text, than to signal logical links. Limited or weak paragraphing with little signposting through topic sentences, subheadings etc No conclusion, or single one line conclusion Conclusion summarising what has been said No introduction, or a very superficial introduction 25

The Power of Writing q In your BTEC, how you write is as important as what you write. q What you write: this is critical, because you must show you know your subject – in detail. You need to show your reader that you know and understand the key ideas, concepts and applications of your subject. You are demonstrating your authoritative knowledge of the subject. q How you write: this is also critical, because if you do not write clearly, explain complex ideas well, make reasoned arguments, structure your writing so readers can follow it and use subject-specific vocabulary, you will not convince your reader that you know what you are talking about. You demonstrate authoritative knowledge through the way you communicate in writing. q This is true of all writing in your BTEC: single and short answers; extended answers; essays; reports; practical evaluations…. 26