marketing assignment
Academic Essay Structure
Adapted from Rao, V, Channock, K & Krishnan, L 2007, A Visual Guide to Essay Writing, Association for Academic Language and
Learning (ALL), Sydney.
Introduce the discipline, field, context and the topic Why is the topic interesting to the discipline?
The “So what?” factor
Discipline or Field of enquiry
Topic
Actual task What is the underlying question you are being
asked to resolve
Section: Context and theory Background
Paragraph Paragraph
Draw together your findings Based on analysis from each section of your essay
Focus What is the current thinking and debate surrounding your topic? Outline the problem, define any terms, scope and time and place
(context)
Signpost the structure of your argument Let the reader know the sequence your essay will take
introduce the sections and issues to follow
State your conclusions Based on your findings
Outline the implications of your evaluation and conclusions for the discipline and the debates surrounding the essay topic
Present your thesis statement This is where you present your argument and your
answer to the essay question
Section: First issue Analyse and evaluate
Paragraph Paragraph
Section: Second issue Analyse and evaluate
Paragraph Paragraph
Section: Context and theory Analyse and evaluate
Paragraph Paragraph
The body of your essay contains a discussion and exploration of your thesis. This is supported throughout by evidence from the literature or from empirical research
Around 10- 15% of the overall essay length
I N T R O D U C T I O N
B O D Y
C O N C L U S I O N
Around 80% of the overall essay length
Around 5- 10% of the overall essay length
Paragraph structure
A paragraph should have one key point or idea and be around 100-200 words long
The opening sentence is the topic sentence and introduces the key idea of the paragraph and should draw the readers interest
Supporting sentences provide evidence and examples for the idea in the paragraph
The final sentence is the linking sentence. It links to the main idea of the next paragraph
Essay Structure
Introduction
This section is important as it is what the reader reads first. It should explain to the reader what your
essay is about. See the Quicktip on paragraph writing.
Body
The body of an essay is where your argument is developed. It should be written in correctly formed
paragraphs. See the Quicktip on paragraph writing.
Conclusion
The conclusion draws your argument together. It is generally a shorter paragraph than the
Introduction. It should restate the thesis statement, to leave the reader with your argued position in
their minds.
Topic
The topic is the task or question that has been set for you by your lecturer. It is always essential that
you address exactly what is asked of you. Marks will not be given for a response that is not on the set
topic regardless of how well written the assignment is.
Underlying question
In an essay-style task, the lecturer usually wants more than an appropriate response to the task. The
lecturer would usually expect you to take a position on the topic. Based on your research, you are
expected to support your position through evidence and discussion. The position is often called the
thesis statement and its development in the body of the essay is called the argument.
Important Tip
The diagram above (adapted from Rao, Channock, & Krishnan, 2007) is an overview of a conventional
academic essay written without headings. Different disciplines (e.g., engineering, psychology,
education) and courses may have varying interpretations on the structure of the essay. Always consult
carefully with the assignment tasks and exemplars provided by lecturers before you start to write your
essay. When in doubt about the essay requirements you should ask your lecturer.
Need more help?
The Learning Centre can help you to develop your academic learning language and maths
skills for success at university. Consultations are available face-to-face, by phone or via
email.
Web: www.usq.edu.au/learningcentre
Email: tlc@usq.edu.au
Sources
Rao, V., Channock, K., & Krishnan, L. (2000). A Visual Guide to Essay Writing, Association for
Academic Language and Learning (ALL): Sydney.
A copy of A Visual Guide to Essay Writing can be downloaded for free from:
http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/learning/allu-documents/EssayWritingVisualGuide.pdf