Learning Skills

Learning Skills

Creating a logically structured argument

Step 1: Analyse your question thoroughly

Essays can range from simple descriptive tasks to those requiring complex lines of argument. Some essay questions provide a logical structure for you to follow within the question itself. This is often seen in a lengthy assignment question, so don't be anxious, because much of the logic and planning has been done for you.

Look at the following question from the Scho- ol of Public Health

Describe the process of homeostasis of the human organism by applying this concept to a specific physiological process.

The question could finish here leaving you to decide on your content and structure. However, the question went on to provide the following directions:

a) List one process (for example body temperature), and define normal physiological ranges maintained by the body.
b) Identify the components of the homeostatic process for the example selected, and explain how these physiological processes interact to ensure that a normal state is maintained.
c) Provide one example of a pathological condition that can disrupt normal homeostasis in this case.
d) Describe failure of the regulatory process by applying the concept of positive feedback, and explain the consequences of such a failure.

While the question is considerably longer, note how much additional direction has been given.

Other essay questions, however, require that you create your own logical structure. You need to decide what you are going to include, why and where. The following question is a good example of this.

Discuss the suggestion that students must possess a wide range of skills to succeed at tertiary study.

The task word "discuss" signals to you that the reader is looking for a logical discussion based on a line of argument - called a thesis statement.

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Step 2: Decide on a thesis statement - clear line of argument or discussion.

Thesis statements are not always required for undergraduate essays, but developing one can be a useful step in the development of your paper.

The homeostasis question above requires a structured answer but you are not asked to argue your viewpoint. The tertiary study question does, however, require that you hold a view. Do students really need to possess a wide range of skills? There will be differing viewpoints.

A thesis statement expresses your viewpoint, and may indicate the line of argument that will follow. You might agree, disagree or perhaps qualify your argument in some way so that it agrees with part of the question. Your thesis statement drives your essay. It helps you decide what to include, why, and the order of inclusion.

The thesis statement and the topic sentences (opening sentence for each paragraph) provide the framework for your paper.

For the writer, the thesis statement:

For the reader, the thesis statement:

Thus, a thesis statement

Thesis statements generally grow out of a consideration of many points of view/pieces of research. Thesis statements can develop and evolve at any point in the research, planning and writing of your essay. At all stages of your work, take care to remain open to the “many points of view” you will read about.  Your thesis statement may not reach its final form until you are at the end of your research.

Activity 5

Write down an acceptable thesis statement (in one sentence) in response to this question.

Discuss the suggestion that students must possess a wide range of skills to succeed at tertiary study.

Check suggested response

You can see from the list of possible thesis statements that the content of the essays will differ, driven by the line of argument suggested by each thesis statement.

Let’s look at one line of argument with respect to the above question. If you believe that students must possess a wide range of skills to succeed at tertiary study, then the paragraphs that follow your introduction will support this. Do not ignore opposing views: acknowledge them but show how your thinking counters the opposing line(s) of thought. In your Introduction you must outline the line of argument that you will follow in your paper. There is no benefit to having the reader guessing until the finale – your conclusion. Do not forget that your paper is but one of the many papers your marker has to read.

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Step 3: Plan your response before you write

Assume your earlier concept map represents the results of 'extensive' research. If you started writing your essay as soon as your completed your research, the structure is likely to be disjointed and hard to follow. To write an essay on the tertiary study assignment question you would first have to organise your points, deciding which points to include and why. As they stand now, the points may all be relevant but you will need to decide whether some points can be grouped or categorised, and also in what order you might want to discuss them.

Activity 6

Look again at your response to Activity 4. How might the points in the concept map be grouped (or placed into categorises?)

Check suggested response

Your thesis statement will help you determine what points you want to address first. You now have a plan. A disjointed essay is usually the sign of a lack of planning.

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Step 4: Guide your reader through your essay

The points identified in your plan will now be expanded into paragraphs, which need to be clearly signposted. In fact the reader should be able to read your introduction, and then the first sentence in each paragraph, to gain a good overview of your essay.

The first sentence of each paragraph (often referred to as the topic sentence) is most important. These sentences hold your essay together, relating the paragraphs to your thesis and letting the reader know what point you are making and why. These important sentences frequently contain a signpost, sometimes called transitional words or phrases, and they help guide the reader through your essay.

There are a number of common signposts used within an essay. The following website also contains more transitional words and phrases which will give you plenty of opportunity for stylistic variation in your paper:
Using Transitions

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Step 5: The most important paragraph

The introduction to your essay is your most important paragraph. It contains your analysis of the question, the points you are going to cover and your thesis. A good introduction includes these elements:

  1. Start by identifying the general topic
  2. Identify the focus of your essay
  3. Identify the scope- the points you will be covering and note any limitations (not word count)
  4. Finish by identifying your thesis.

Look at the following introduction for the “success at tertiary study” question:

Introduction

Note that the term 'most students' was used, not 'all students'. Beware of making statements that are difficult to substantiate, although it could be argued that success is the goal of all students depending on their definition of success. In this case the introduction will differ.

Note also that success wasn't defined in the introduction but that a definition discussion was signalled. It can be appropriate to include a simple definition in an introduction but the introduction is not the place for a definition debate. This would occur in paragraph two.

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