License 2 Write - Structuring a Paper

What Is A Good Structure?
It isn't enough to make sure that you have an introduction at the start, a conclusion at the end, and the other stuff in between. A good paper structure is also required for your online degree Exams, So what more do you need? You need a:

Solid introduction:

It will probably contain something about how you have interpreted the question, and it is often a good idea to state a thesis (an argument), which you are going to illustrate or explore in the body of the paper - although you may prefer to save the 'findings' of your exploration to the end, in which case you have to introduce the question carefully at the start.

Tight conclusion:

A Powerful conclusion is the logical consequence of everything that has gone before. The good paper has developed a number of related strands, which the conclusion ties together. It may also contain an extra, surprising thing which you saved to throw in at the end with a flourish.

Well-Organized material:

You need to organize your material well so that it flows from one area, sub-section or argument to the next in a logical order. Each part should build upon, or at least reasonably follow on from, the previous parts, and the whole thing should be pulling the reader, clearly and inescapably, to your triumphant conclusion.

One good approach is to look through your notes and identify a handful of themes within the discussion, and to structure your paper around consideration of those. You should order the analysis of each theme, so that the paper builds up towards the conclusion.

The following points should be followed if you want your
paper to look genuine and different:

Strategy
You can approach the composition of a paper using a number of different writing strategies. Some people like to start writing and wait to see what develops.

Others work up scraps of ideas until they perceive a shape emerging. However, if you are in any doubt at all, it's a good idea to plan your work. The task of writing is usually much easier if you create a set of notes that outline the points you are going to make. Using this approach, you will create a basic structure on which your ideas can be built.

	Plans This is a part of the paper-writing process, which is best carried out using plenty of scrap paper. Get used to the idea of shaping and re-shaping your ideas before you start writing, editing and rearranging your arguments as you give them more thought. Planning on-screen using a word-processor is possible, but it's a fairly advanced technique.

	Analyze the question Make sure you understand what the question is asking for. What is it giving you the chance to write about? What is its central issue? Analyze any of its key terms and any instructions. If you are in any doubt, ask your tutor to explain what is required.

	Generate ideas You need to assemble ideas for the paper. On a first sheet of paper, make a note of anything which might be relevant to your answer. These might be topics, ideas, observations, or instances from your study materials. Put down anything you think of at this stage.

	Choosing topics On a second sheet of paper, extract from your brainstorm listings those topics and points of argument which are of greatest relevance to the question and its central issue. Throw out anything which cannot be directly related to the paper question.

	Put topics in order On a third sheet of paper, put these chosen topics in some logical sequence. At this stage, you should be formulating a basic response to the question, even if it is provisional and may later be changed. Try to arrange the points so that they form a persuasive and coherent argument.

	Arrange your evidence All the major points in your argument need to be supported by some sort of evidence. On any further sheets of paper, compile a list of brief quotations from other sources (together with page references) which will be offered as your evidence.

	Make necessary changes Whilst you have been engaged in the first stages of planning, new ideas may have come to mind. Alternate evidence may have occurred to you, or the line of your argument may have shifted somewhat. Be prepared at this stage to rearrange your plan so that it incorporates any of these new materials or ideas. Try out different arrangements of your paper topics until you are sure they form the most convincing and logical sequence. You can do that by writing college term papers or by finalizing your paper plan.

	Finalize paper plan The structure of most paper plans can be summarized as Introduction - Arguments - Conclusion. State your case as briefly and rapidly as possible, present the evidence for this case in the body of your paper, then sum up and try to 'lift' the argument to a higher level in your conclusion. Your final plan should be something like a list of half a dozen to ten major points of argument. Each one of these points will be expanded to a paragraph of something around 100-200 words minimum in length.

	Relevance At all stages of paper planning, and even when writing the paper, you should keep the question in mind. Keep asking yourself 'Is this evidence directly relevant to the topic I have been asked to discuss?' If in doubt, be prepared to scrap plans and formulate new ones - which are much easier than scrapping finished papers. At all times, aim for clarity and logic in your argument.