QUT Library 7 Step Plan for Writing

www.library.qut.edu.au QUT Library 7 Step Plan for Writing 1

Having to write an assignment is a stressful process for many people. Here is a seven step guide to help you through it. 2

Early in semester Note the due date in your diary Set a start date 3 weeks before the due date Organise your assignment files and get going! 3

1 Collect task information 2 Analyse the task 3 Collect and organise information 4 Plan the overall structure 5 Draft effective paragraphs 6 Integrate the evidence 7 Edit and proofread 4

1 Collect Task Information Collect all the relevant materials Task Sheet Criteria Sheet Additional tips sheets Notes on what was said in lectures Unit BlackBoard site Write a checklist of everything that is specified about what you have to include or do in the assignment. 5

2 Analyse the task Read your task sheet and look for certain key words Topic words these are the words and concepts you have to research Task words these words tell you how to structure the information you find in your research (eg. discuss, outline, analyse) (see a list of task words in cite write) Limiting words these words limit the scope of the subject to be research and written about For more details see Studywell >Researching > Working Out How to Start 6

Example: 2 Analyse the task Task word - analyse is to address each factor separately Analyse the geographical factors that both contribute to and hinder the success of tourism in Australia. Topic words the topic you need to research tourism in Australia Limiting words geographic factors only in relation to tourism in Australia Further Examples: Discuss the public health strategies that you are proposing that will effectively address the problem. Describe the process you use to choose the IT applications Apply the key concepts addressed in the lectures to your research about this practitioner 7

Start thinking 2 Analyse the task Brainstorm what you already know Think about what you need to read and/or research Consider other similar terms that you could research Thesaurus geography (n.) - topography - natural features - landforms 8

2 Analyse the task Stop and think about your material at different points of researching and writing: Is this relevant? Does it specifically help to answer the question / complete the task? How does it connect to other evidence? How can I put this evidence together to create a single argument? What are my main points? How do they fit together? 9

Start with QUT Library to find resources 3 Collect and organise information Start with the unit resources from the Black Board site and QUT Readings Use Quick Find on the Library website to look for resources in the library Consider a variety of resources including books, journal articles, websites Sources must be current, authoritative and relevant to your topic 10

3 Collect and organise information When taking : Just read at first to get a idea of the topic and work out a general thesis. Then take on information that is specifically relevant to the task. Start with the more general sources encyclopaedias (if necessary), then general books, specialised books, websites and finally journal articles Make sure you write down all the bibliographical details of all the resources you use 11

Look for patterns and themes in your. Think about how these themes relate to each other. 3 Collect and organise information Essay Question:. Analyse the geographical factors that both contribute to and hinder the success of tourism in Australia. Proctor, T. & Thomas, R. (2004). Australian Tourism and the Tyranny of Distance. Australian Economic Quarterly, 17(1), 35-47. Retrieved 12 February, 2009 from Informit Search Database. p. 34 Long way from tourist feeder countries in Northern hemisphere p. 36 competition - wildlife in Tanzania and Kenya, volcanoes& biodiversity in Costa Rica Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism. (2009). Australia s natural attractions. Retrieved 10 February, 2009 from http://www.ret.gov.au/pubs/2008_09/natural_heritage.html Survey - Natural attractions most like to go to: Uluru, Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu Great Ocean Road, Tasmanian Wilderness. 30,000kms of coastline in Australia, much of it beach. Over 10,000 miles of white beaches, GBR - 1,500 unique species of tropical fish, 400 species of coral and species of whales, birds, sharks, and invertebrates Colour code key themes: Distance, Landforms, Animals, 12

3 Collect and organise information Theme 1 Theme 2 Theme 3 Source 1 Source 1 Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 Source 2 Source 3 Another way is to draw a concept map Theme 1 Source 1 Source 1 Use a matrix to gather all your sources together for each theme Source 2 Assignment Thesis Source 1 Theme 2 Source 3 These themes become the main points of your body paragraphs Source 2 Theme 3 Source 3 For more detail see Studywell > Researching > Organising Your Notes 13

4 Plan the Overall structure Using your : 1. Each grouping of evidence in a theme can become the information in a paragraph / section. 2. The theme for a group of evidence can be converted to the main point of the paragraph /section. 3. The overall summary of the main points can be made into your thesis. 14

4 Plan the Overall structure 1 st Point 2 nd Point 2 nd Point cont. 3 rd Point Think about: How your paragraphs can be logically structured The relationships between the main points (eg. agree/disagree) and how you can use transition words / phrases to signpost this to your reader 15

4 Plan the Overall structure Academic writing generally follows a diamond structure: Diamond shape of whole essay Introduction Body Paragraphs Conclusion Introduces the topic Outlines the essay structure States the thesis Topic Sentence: Introduces paragraph topic Evidence Sentences: Provide reasons and evidence that support the topic sentence Concluding Sentence: Summarises paragraph Repeats the topic Summarises the essay structure Restates the thesis Diamond shape of each body paragraph Look at the example in Studywell > Writing > Writing Structure Overview 16

4 Plan the Overall structure Body paragraphs are ordered to suit the type of task you have been asked to do. For example: Factor 3 Cause 1 Cause 2 COMPARISON (eg compare the three theories of ) Factor 2 Factor 1 Cause 3 Theory 1 DISCUSSION (eg discuss the effect of ) ANALYSIS (eg analyse the causes of ) Theory 2 Theory 3 17

4 Plan the Overall structure Overall Assignment Plan out how many words you are able to write for each section Work out the overall word allowance for the assignment (1500 words) Introduction and conclusion are each about 10% of the total number. (150 words each, 1200 words remaining) Divide the remainder of the words equally (more or less) among the body paragraphs / sections (About 400 words each) 1500 words Introduction 150 words 1 st body para / section 400 words 2 nd body para / section 400 words 3 rd body para / section 400 words Conclusion 150 words 18

5 Draft Effective Paragraphs Body paragraphs are like mini-essays: topic and concluding sentences introduce and sum up the point; supporting and evidence sentences back up the point. Topic Sentence Supporting Sentences Evidence Sentences Concluding Sentence This states he main point of the paragraph and links it with the thesis. These may add information to the main point. For example, define terms or explain concepts Examples, data, statistics, quotes which back up the point. These must be cited and referenced. This restates the point. It may also provide a link to the next paragraph. See Studywell > Writing > Writing Structure Overview for more detail and examples 19

5 Draft Effective Paragraphs Introductory and concluding paragraphs have a slightly different structure to body paragraphs. They are like the bookends of academic writing and tend to mirror each other Introductory Paragraph Introduces the topic States the thesis (main point of the assignment) Outlines the structure of the assignment (main point of each body paragraph / section Defines the scope (limits) of the assignment Concluding Paragraph Paraphrases the thesis Sums up the main points of the body paragraphs Does not include any new material Concludes strongly Go to Studywell > Writing > Writing Structure Overview for detailed examples 20

6 Integrate Your Evidence The wording of your evidence often needs to be adapted to smoothly fit into your assignment. This can be done in three ways: PARAPHRASING - Using the authors information but expressing it in your own words SUMMARISING Briefly mentioning authors ideas without explaining further QUOTING Using the authors own words to express their ideas. You must use quotation marks For more detail see Studywell > Citing & Referencing > Integrating Evidence 21

7 Integrate Your Evidence Editing looks at the essay as a whole Proofreading looks at the details For more details see Studywell > Writing > Editing and Proofreading 22

Reference List (in order of appearance) PAGES 1-11 etrusia_uk, 'Busch Gardens Weird Bird', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/e_phots/2335343283/, ed, 2008, head of a bird with bristled crest. Adam Smith, 'Summer Planner', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gingerblokey/2183461901/, ed, 2008. Esther Simpson, 'files', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/estherase/52172823/, ed, 2005, pile of coloured manila folders. Evan Moss, 'Vegas Neo Signs - Go', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mightymoss/2890664490/, ed, 2008, Neon Sign saying Go Ali Nassiri, 'To-do list', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alinassiri/3874169787/, ed, 2009, girl with post-it on hand. Justin See, 'To-do list book', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/koalazymonkey/3596829214/, ed, 2009, open notebook with pencil 'So that is what is inside my head!' In: http://baldgeek.wordpress.com/2007/12/18/so-that-is-what-is-inside-my-head/, ed, 2007. Jacob Botter, 'Brainstorms at INDEX: Views', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jakecaptive/49915119/, ed, 2005, wall of postit Ardonik, 'Ring-of-14-cubes.5', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ardonik/3274122364/, ed, 2009. Auntie P, 'Magnifying Glass ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/auntiep/17135231/, ed, 2005, magnifying glass Laszlo Ilyes, 'Variety~', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/laszlo-photo/3943097052/, ed, 2009, piles of spices Johnson Cameraface, 'S104 text books', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/54459164@n00/2812340882/, ed, 2008. '304x400_student6', In: 304x400_student6.jpg, ed, student in library with laptop. 'student1', In: http://www.registry.ed.ac.uk/fees/images/student1.jpg, ed, student using a computer. 23

Reference List (in order of appearance) PAGES 12- Patrick Medved, 'Structure ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ppix/2305078608/, ed, 2008, steel frame Rachel Cobcroft, 'John Wilbanks', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/felix42/2278259037/, ed, 2008, A lecturer giving a lecture in MELT classroom. Exothermic, 'Flaming Orange Red Autumn Tree', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/exothermic/2041438046, ed, 2007, completely orange red autumn tree Grant MacDonald, 'fall leaf ', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/grantmac/246785658/, ed, 2006, autumn leaf lying on the ground 24