This page may be useful if you have received feedback about assignment structure. When writing a clear paragraph it is important to consider the topic you would like to explore in detail. Is it clear from your introduction and context the specific area you will be discussing? Some students receive feedback that their work deviates from the assignment brief, meaning they have not met the learning outcomes. We are given limits such as word counts or time limits to ensure that we do not discuss too many topics. Be specific within your introduction about what you will explore in the assignment.

This relates to planning, it may be worthwhile to spend some time deciding how you will address the assignment brief, what topics to cover and what literature is relevant to the argument. This may help to ensure that you are not missing anything out, that your assignment is clear and balanced, covering a variety of different perspectives before analysing the meaning of what you have read, based on the evidence. 

A common comment that students may hear is that their work is too descriptive, meaning it describes what different authors say rather than communicating the meaning behind the different perspectives on the issue and what impacts this may have.

Explore the graphic on deciphering feedback to learn more about feedback that you may receive and what you can do to develop your skills. 

Clear paragraphing is useful to get your point across to the reader, within your writing. All paragraphs should include:

• A clear point. Generally you will cover one point per paragraph and you should be clear about what this is. 
• Evidence that supports the point you are making. 
• An explanation of the evidence and how it fits with your point- to make it easy for your reader to understand.
• A link to the next paragraph or your overall argument to help with your writing flow. 

As your confidence with academic writing grows, you will adapt your paragraphs to your needs and the assignment you are producing, but they should still contain these basic building blocks. 

This structure may be familiar if you have used PEEL paragraphs before. 

Look at the document below to explore more about structuring your assignments.

Check out the video below to learn more about structuring your paragraphs to incorporate evidence and analysis into your writing. 

Take a look at our academic writing, essay structure and assignment planning skills guides for further information about paragraph structure in your academic work.