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Have you received comments about your essay structure? This page addresses these common feedback comments and provides tips and guidance for enhancing the structure and flow of your essays and assignments.
Are you a University of York student? Book a one-to-one online or in-person appointment with a Writing Centre Tutor who can offer advice and guidance on academic writing.
“The argument wasn't always clear, so a more logical structure to the assignment would have helped.”
“This essay lacks structure.”
“The writing does not flow.”
Having a clear structure in academic writing is crucial for effectively conveying ideas and building a logical, well-reasoned argument. An ideal structure resembles a linear progression, akin to a flight of stairs, where each paragraph represents a step that builds upon the previous one, leading from the introduction at the bottom to the conclusion at the top.
Cohesion, achieved through transitional phrases and topic sentences, is essential for linking ideas and ensuring the reader can easily follow the argument.
“This introduction is too vague.”
“The introduction is too general and does not lead into the main argument effectively.”
A poor introduction in academic writing can significantly impact the effectiveness of your work. These issues often stem from a lack of clear focus, inadequate context setting, or failure to effectively lead to the main argument.
An effective introduction is essential for a reader as it sets the tone for the paper, provides essential background information, and clearly states the thesis or central argument. It guides the reader through what to expect in the following text, establishing a roadmap for the discussion.
“Your paragraphs need more work.”
“Some paragraphs seem disjointed or irrelevant to the main argument.”
“Your paragraphs lack a clear focus or central idea.”
“Each paragraph should represent one distinct point or argument.”
Unclear or poor paragraphing in academic writing can significantly hinder the effectiveness of an essay or assignment.
Effective paragraphing is essential as it organises ideas into digestible units, enhancing clarity and readability, and the overall persuasiveness of the argument.
“The conclusion is too vague and doesn't effectively summarise the main points.”
“Your conclusion needs improvement.”
“The conclusion is disproportionately short and lacks depth.”
The above comments highlight common issues such as a lack of clarity in summarising the main arguments and failure to synthesise the discussion effectively.
A poor conclusion in academic writing can significantly undermine the effectiveness of your work. It should provide a sense of closure and reflection on the broader implications or future directions of the research.