‘My work is poorly structured,’ My Feedback Says Louise Livesey Academic Skills Adviser This workshop will: − Consider what structure is and how it can be achieved in writing − Give tips on how to think critically and organise material that forms part of an assignment − Look at how you can use transitional words and phrases to create flow 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice1

1. What markers want 2. First steps to good structure 3. Organising your notes 4. Critical thinking 5. Line of reasoning 6. 3 popular structures 7. How to use transitional words and phrases Today’s Plan 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice2

Feedback relating to structure could relate to… the assignment as a whole individual sections (the introduction/main body/conclusion or different report elements) a logical order from one point to another the internal structure of paragraphs Be organised 1.What markers want 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice3

2.First steps to good structure 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice4 Analyse Brainstorm One idea Research Critical Thinking

How do you organise your notes? Write down or type your argument or stance, with a list of all the reasons to support it and allocate each reason a colour. Going through your notes, highlight each reason and its supporting evidence using the appropriate colour. Re-write or type out each reason with its evidence onto separate sheets/documents/PP slides. 3.Organising your notes 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice5

Other positions, arguments and conclusions that could be arrived at Evaluate evidence for other povs Weigh up alternative positions, arguments and conclusions Validity and justification of your argument Any inappropriate assumptions Persuasive language and hidden agenda 4.Critical thinking 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice6

Activity 1 Together identify arguments for the death penalty In pairs or small groups, identify arguments against the death penalty. 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice7 4.Critical thinking

1 theme: 1 paragraph 5.Line of reasoning 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice8 Intro Theme 1 Theme 2 Theme 3 Theme 4 Conc

The Switch 6.3 popular structures Firstly, you argue from one point of view for approximately half of the text and then ‘switch’ to another viewpoint until your conclusion 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice9

The Zig-zag Your first paragraph makes one point of an argument, then you ‘zig to the next different (possibly opposing) point and argument, then you ‘zag’ back to your original argument with another point, and so on to the conclusion 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice popular structures

The Snowball You come to a crescendo of one point building on another and another and so on until your conclusion 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice popular structures

Activity 2 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice popular structures IntroTheme 1Theme 2Theme 3Theme 4Conc

7.How to use transitional words and phrases Transitional words and phrases are used for… establishing cohesion. enhancing understandability improving connection to your points and argument 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice13

References Cottrell, S. (2013) The study skills handbook. 4th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. Inspiration Software (2013) Thinking and planning graphic organizer and outline examples. Portland: Inspiration Software, Inc. examples Accessed 11 November examples Accessed 11 November 2014 Massey University Signpost words and phrases. Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey University. handout.pdf Accessed 5 March handout.pdf Neville, C. (2009) How to improve your assignment results. Maidenhead: OUP. Potter, C. (2013) Week one: straight back into the fray. Dundee: ‘Calum Potter’ Wordpress. Accessed 11 November /12/15Academic Skills Advice14

References Student Learning Centre (2008) Essay terms explained. Leicester: University of Leicester. terms Accessed 5 February terms University of North Carolina. Transitions. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina. Accessed 5 March University of Roehampton (2013) Unit 5 – essay planning. Roehampton: Studentzone. Accessed 5 November University of Sussex (2013) Study success at Sussex. Brighton: University of Sussex. Accessed 5 November Write.com. (2013) Transitional phrases. Swansea, Illinois: Write.com. phrases/ Accessed 5 March phrases/ 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice15

Academic Skills Advice Service Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23. Give us a call or come speak to us via B0.23 Who am I? Louise, the dedicated workshop adviser. Who can help me with study and writing skills? Lucy and Russell run Instant Study Skills Advice sessions every weekday 10-4 and Writing Skills Clinics three times a week. You can also access self-help resources on our Who can give me maths advice? Helen and Michael specialise in Maths support for students though clinics and pre-booked appointment. How do I get in touch? academic- Telephone: academic- 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice16

Any questions? 23/12/15Academic Skills Advice17