Essay writing - Structure and organisation - presentation - My.Anglia ...

Student Services 

Essay Writing 

Structure and 

Organisation 

Study Support 

Service, 

Student Services 

www.anglia.ac.uk/stud 

ysupportservice

Essay Writing 

Help! 

“I I can’t t get down to it – I keep putting it off then have to 

rush to finish it.” 

“My mind goes blank when faced with a blank sheet of 

paper.” 

“I I just don’t t know where to start with an essay.” 

“I I have lots of ideas but can’t t seem to organise them.” 

Created with MindGenius Business 2005®

Help! ! (continued) 

“I I find it hard to stick to the word limit.” 

“I I lose track of my argument half way through.” 

“I I lose marks for not answering the question 

properly.” 

“I I tend to waffle!” 

“Some people just write an essay overnight – 

why can’t t I?” 


Session Objectives 

• Understand what a good essay structure is 

• Appreciate the stages involved 

• Be aware of range of planning strategies 

• Be aware of resources available 


A good essay structure: 

• Makes clear how question will be addressed 

• Sets out main ideas clearly 

• Makes clear how main ideas relate 

• Uses logical, progressive order 

• Helps reader remember 

• Organises related information in paragraphs 

• Uses connecting words and phrases 


A model essay structure: 

Introduction 

• Arouses interest 

• Sets scene 

• Explains how you interpret question 

• Defines or explains key terms 

• Identifies issues 

• Give brief outline of how issues to be dealt with 

and order 


A model essay structure (cont.): 

Argument/Main Body 

Contains points outlined in intro, in paragraphs: 

Para 1 

Covers first point. 

First (topic) sentence introduces main idea. 

Then topic developed: examples, details, 

evidence, quotations, references. 


A model essay structure (cont.): 

• Paragraph 2 and other paragraphs 

• First sentence: 

• links paragraph to previous paragraph 

• introduces main idea of new paragraph 


Breaking down an essay into 

chunks: 

• http://edenskills.co.uk/wordpress/wp- 

content/uploads/2009/05/essay-106010 

106010- 

handout6.pdf 


A model essay structure (cont.) 

Conclusion 

•Draws Draws everything together 

•Summarises main themes 

•States States general conclusions 

•Shows Shows why conclusions important or significant 

•Last Last sentence sums up argument briefly, linking to title 

•Sets Sets issues in broader perspective/wider context 

•Does Does not introduce new material 

•Mentions what failed to do – answers not clear, space 

limited 

•Suggests further questions 


Essay writing – Main Stages 


Stage 1 – Analyse Question 

• Read question several times. 

• Underline “instruction” words. 

• Highlight key subject words. 

• Circle “limiting” words. 

• Note terms to define. 

• Write question out in own words. 

• In introduction say how question interpreted. 

• In conclusion, refer back to question. 

• Write question out on plans, notes, drafts. 


Analysing the question (cont): 

• Eden Skills list of “Task Words” 


content/uploads/2009/06/task-words 

wordshandout5.pdf 


Stage 2 - Planning 

• Keep question in sight. 

• Try visual approaches - “spider” or “pattern 

plans” , “mind maps. 

• Try Mind Mapping software 

• Try Outline view in Word 

• Try charts to plan argument or 

compare/contrast essay 

• Try physical planning – index cards/post-its 

its. 


Planning - useful software 

• Planning 

• MindGenius Education: 

• www.mindgenius.com 

• costs £57 for a single user licence 

• available to use on pcs in University library and Tindal second floor 

• Free 21 day trial can be downloaded at home 

• Inspiration: 

• www.inspiration.com 

• costs £57 for a single user licence 

• Free 30 day trial can be downloaded at home 


Planning – useful software (cont): 

• Outline view – a feature of Microsoft Word : 

• Click on view, then outline 

• Collect initial ideas then use the arrows to organise them into 

headings, sub headings 

• http://office.microsoft.com/en-in/word 

in/word-help/create-an-outline-from- 

scratch-HP005187998.aspx 

• Writing 

• Windows Speech Recognition is a new feature in Windows Vista that 

allows you to dictate documents and emails: 

• www.microsoft.com/enable/products/wondowsvista/speech.aspx 


Planning framework for a compare/contrast 

essay 

Introduction. Main themes. 

Areas to be 

compared/contrasted 

Similarities 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Differences 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Significance of similarities/differences 

Conclusion – draw attention to main points 

A 

B 


Planning framework for 

an “argument” essay 

Main proposal/hypothesis/argument: 

Reasons for arguments for: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Reasons or arguments against: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Evidence and examples: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Evidence and examples: 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Reasons why “for” argument stronger; weaknesses in 

reasoning/evidence for opposing argument 

Conclusion. 


Signposting 


content/uploads/2009/05/signpost- 

words.pdf 


Stage 3 -Refine plan 

• Add points drawn out in research. 

• Delete irrelevant or unimportant points. 

• Work out order of key points. 

• Convert pattern into linear plan – list main headings. 

• Code (colour, letters, numbers) headings. 

• For each main topic note main 

information/examples/supporting details 

• Divide word allowance between headings – one 

tenth each for introduction and conclusion 

• Work out number of words per page 

• “map” out topics per page. 

• Sort notes – use code colour, number or letter to 

relate to plan 


Stage 4 - Drafting 

• Start with “middle”. 

• Take each main topic/idea and write a paragraph. 

• Don’t t worry about style/spelling yet – let ideas flow. 

• Leave space for editing. 

• Include a “topic sentence” for each paragraph. 

• Write conclusion – sum up content of “middle” and 

relate back to title. 

• Write introduction. 

• Print off hard copy for editing. 

• Put draft aside for day or so. 


Stage 5 - Editing 

• Re-read, checking for structure and meaning: 

• Does main body do what introduction says it will? 

• Clear what each paragraph about? 

• Every paragraph relevant to main “topic”? 

• Enough in each paragraph to support the “topic”? 

• Anything superfluous? 

• Everything in right place? 

• Sentences in each paragraph in right order? 

• Every paragraph relates clearly to others? 


Editing - continued 

• Read again for style and clarity: 

• Ideas clearly expressed? 

• Grammar/spelling accurate? 

• Style appropriate? 

• References cited correctly and listed at end? 


Writing skills – useful guidance 

• http://www.dyslexstudyskills.group.shef.a 

c.uk/ 

• Includes tips and practice activities on 

planning, introductions, conclusions and 

paragraphing 

• http://www.mantex.co.uk 

www.mantex.co.uk/ 

• Free downloads on essay writing 


Writing skills – useful guidance (cont.) 

• www.learnhigher.ac.uk 

• Academic Writing section includes: 

• Initial skills assessment; 

• Structuring your writing; 

• Planning. 


Further Reading 

• Cottrell, S., 2003.The study skills handbook, 2nd ed. Basinstoke: 

Palgrave Macmillan 

• Crème, P., and Lea, M.R., 2003. Writing at University: : a guide for 

students, 2nd ed. Maidenhead: Open University Press/McGraw Hill 

• Fairbairn, G.J. and Winch, C., 1996. Reading, Writing and 

Reasoning: a guide for students, 2nd edn. Buckingham: Open 

University Press 

• Rose, J., 2001. The mature student’s s guide to writing. Basinstoke: 

Palgrave 

• Buzan, , T., 2006. The Mindmap Book. London: BBC Active. 

• Buzan, , T., 2003. Use Your Head. London: BBC Active. 


Questions? Concerns?

Essay writing - Structure and organisation - presentation - My.Anglia ...

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