Structure your writing

Once you have a plan for your writing, you can use this plan to create the structure of your writing. Structured writing has a beginning, middle and an end, and uses focussed paragraphs to develop the argument.

Create the overall structure

For certain assignments, you may be required to use a specific structure and include specific sections. In other assignments, you will be able to choose your own structure. Nevertheless, writing usually follows the same overall structure: introduction, main body and conclusion.

The introduction outlines the main direction the writing will take and gives any necessary background information and context.

In the main body each point is presented, explored and developed. These points must be set out in a logical order, to make it easier for the reader to follow and understand.

The conclusion brings together the main points and highlights the key message or argument you want the reader to take away. It might also recommend further research or investigation where appropriate.

Arrange your points in a logical order

Relevance

When you start writing you should have a clear idea of what you want to say. Create a list of your main points and think about what the reader needs to know and in what order they will need to know it.

To select the main points you want to include, ask yourself does each point you have considered really contribute to answering the question? Is the point relevant to your overall argument?

Evidence

Select appropriate evidence that you will use to support each main point. Think carefully about which evidence to use. You must evaluate the information you find, as not everything you find will be of high quality.

Idea groups

Putting your points into groups might help you create a logical order. These groups will broadly fit into an overall pattern, such as for and against, thematic, chronological or by different schools of thought or approach.

You can then put these groups into a sequence that the reader can follow and use to make sense of the topic or argument. It may be helpful to talk through your argument with someone.

It might be helpful to arrange ideas initially in the form of a mind-map, which allows you to capture key points with supporting information branching off. 

For advice on specialised software and tools that can help you with your studies and assessments (such as dictation, screen reading or mind mapping tools), visit the Disability Services Assistive Technology page. You can also find a wider range of personalised support, from academic adjustments and alternative exam arrangements to advice on extra funding. To find out more and register, contact Disability Services. 

Using generative AI

When tackling a new type of assignment, you may feel unsure about what kind of structure this should have.  Your School should give you guidelines about this along with other relevant information about the assessment.  If you want further broad ideas about structure, a generative AI tool might be able to give you some basic information, but it won’t have the expert viewpoint that your academic staff can give.   

You will develop ideas for the structure of your writing during reading and planning for your assignment.  Markers are looking for evidence that you can design and articulate a clear argument yourself, not that you can use generative AI to make these decisions for you. You should make your own choices about what structure you think would be most effective for the specific piece of work you are undertaking.  

Remember that the University guidance on the work you submit is that it should be entirely your own and you should therefore use generative AI tools with caution and only when permitted to do so.  The University has adopted a traffic light system to indicate when you may use generative AI tools in your assessed work; if you have any questions about this, please ask your academic school or faculty.