2. What are structure strips?
Structure strips are bookmark strips of paper which are stuck in the margin of a page in a student’s exercise book. The strips are divided up into clear areas – each area represents a paragraph within the piece of writing or essay the student has been set. Each section contains information and guidance on what to include in that particular paragraph and the size of each section roughly represents how much the students need to write in that section.

3. What can be included in a structure strip?
Helpful sentence starters.
Connectives.
A checklist of what to include in the paragraph.
What the sentences need to focus on.
Hints on what factors should be considered.
Reminder about including a judgement and what words to use.

4. Tips on making and using your own structure strips
Start off in small steps – use them for the less exacting pieces of writing first.
Use the mark scheme to compile the different sections of your structure strips.
Colour code your structure strips for different tasks.
Limit the time which you use structure strips with your students.

5. Some quick wins using structure strips
Great for peer assessment.
Eases marking.
Can easily be differentiated for all abilities.