Writing Assignments: Planning

1. Steps in Writing

1.3. Planning

Steps in planning:

Select your topic
Analyse the task: know the expectations
Plan your time
Brainstorm your topic
Research (this is ongoing) - Don’t forget the note-taking strategies we covered earlier as this will help you identify themes that go across your research and should be included in your assignment.
Create your thesis so that it meets the requirements of the task.
Select a planning strategy and plan!

This video on planning is worth watching just to hear the presenter’s accent, besides the great content!

Approaches to planning:

There’s lots of different planning strategies. Try a few until you find one that suits you.

Traditional linear plans

Use the headings of the basic assignment structure (please see below) and write your main points underneath.
Reorganise these points so that they are in a logical order.
Check to make sure you have satisfied task conditions.
Use these notes to write up your assignment.
(Please see an example of a linear plan below.)

Mind mapping (more info on mind mapping https://www.mindmapping.com/)

Mind mapping is a visual way to record your ideas.
It can be created during and/or after your research.

Graphic organisers

Graphic organisers (more on these in the next section) are excellent ways to build your assignment as you do your research.
They ensure you meet all the expectations of the task.
You can create your own.

Try this link for more information.

Essay - Linear plan
Introduction
Context sentence (This sentence will briefly introduce the topic of your essay.)
Thesis statement.
Outline of the key points you will use within your essay to prove your thesis.
NB Introductions can be inductive or deductive. In other words, you might like to start or finish with your thesis.
The second paragraph of your introduction will define key terms and might need to give the context of your essay/topic in greater detail.

Body
Key Point 1
Introduce your key point and link it to what has gone before.
Clarify this key point by including detail and research.
Analyse the key point in relation to your thesis. (What have you proven? Why is this point relevant to your thesis/topic?)
Key Point 2
Repeat as above.
You may have any number of key points.
Conclusion
Synthesis/ Evaluation
Focus just on the analysis sections from each of your key points.
Identify any overarching synthesis or evaluation of these key points in relation to what they prove (i.e. your thesis).
Ask yourself, how do these points join together to prove your thesis. This will require some deep thinking and time.
Concluding paragraph
Linking sentence.
Thesis statement.
Outline of the key points you used within your essay to prove your thesis.

Conclusions can be inductive or deductive. In other words, you might like to start or finish with your thesis. (Notice how similar this is to your introduction?)

Introduction	Context sentence (This sentence will briefly introduce the topic of your essay.) Thesis statement. Outline of the key points you will use within your essay to prove your thesis. NB Introductions can be inductive or deductive. In other words, you might like to start or finish with your thesis. The second paragraph of your introduction will define key terms and might need to give the context of your essay/topic in greater detail.
Body	Key Point 1	Introduce your key point and link it to what has gone before. Clarify this key point by including detail and research. Analyse the key point in relation to your thesis. (What have you proven? Why is this point relevant to your thesis/topic?)
	Key Point 2	Repeat as above.
	You may have any number of key points.
Conclusion	Synthesis/ Evaluation	Focus just on the analysis sections from each of your key points. Identify any overarching synthesis or evaluation of these key points in relation to what they prove (i.e. your thesis). Ask yourself, how do these points join together to prove your thesis. This will require some deep thinking and time.
	Concluding paragraph	Linking sentence. Thesis statement. Outline of the key points you used within your essay to prove your thesis. Conclusions can be inductive or deductive. In other words, you might like to start or finish with your thesis. (Notice how similar this is to your introduction?)