Structure in writing

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Most assignments and essays at university have similar features when it comes to structure. Although topic, length and focus will vary, there are a number of parts that are common to all types of writing and that tend to come in the same order. 

These include:

Title/ question	The purpose of your text is to address this question, so make sure you keep focussed on it throughout.
Introduction	Explain what you are going to do in your text: - How do you interpret the question and what is your initial conclusion? - Which issues are you going to explore? - How will you deal with each issue and in which order? - Length is approx 10% of the text.
Develop your argument or line of reasoning	Paragraph 1 - Covers the first thing you said you’d address in your introduction. -  The first sentence introduces the main idea of the paragraph. The sentences develop the topic. -  Leads up to the next paragraph. Paragraph 2 and following paragraphs -  The first sentence links to the previous paragraph, then introduces the main idea of the paragraph. -  Other sentences then develop the paragraph topic.
Conclusion	The conclusion contains no new material. -  Summarises your argument and the main themes. -  State your general conclusions and shows why these are significant. -  In your last sentence, sum up your argument very briefly, linking it back to the title of the question. -  Length is approx 10% of the text.
References and/ or bibliography	List all the resources you have used and referred to within the text. If a bibliography is needed list all texts that you used, but did not actually cite (refer to) in the text.

Adapted from Cottrell, S. (2008) The Study Skills Handbook, 3 ed., Palgrave MacMillan: Basingstoke, pp. 176 - 177.


Take home message:

• The structure of a text is very important. 
• It gives you a frame that holds everything you write together. 
• It takes your reader by the hand and guides them through your text so they understand what you are trying to say.