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: [email protected]

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