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August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
1
STRUCTURE
YOUR
WRITING
© 2013 Learning Development
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
2 In this session we will:
• Identify the overall structure of an argument
• Identify how the argument is structured in
– Paragraphs
– Introductions & conclusions
• Identify how structure synthesises various points of
view
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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Structured argument v Information
• Uses critical analysis to make an informed opinion
• Presents information relevant to a specific perspective, or position
• Acknowledges other points of view
• Answers possible challenges
• Outlines or shows a situation without analysis
• Presents all information with no focussed position
• Does not consider other
points of view
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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Sample text: The HR essay
• Read the essay
– The introduction & conclusion are fully written
– The paragraphs are “skeletons”
• Consider:
– How we know what the writer’s position is
– How each paragraph is structured to support this position
– How other points of view are incorporated into the structure
Introduction
• Computer technology has made a dramatic difference to the nature
of training delivery and administration. However, it is simplistic to
suggest that the Human Resource (HR) professional will be
usurped. Rather, while effective computer-based training has a
place in the HR function, the human element is still essential to staff
training. It is becoming increasingly evident that technological
developments are not without limitations, and that the most
successful approach is to blend traditional instruction with self-
paced computer learning. Furthermore, HR professionals still have
a significant role in course design, training needs analysis and
evaluation. This discussion focuses on e-learning (or online
learning), as it is the most controversial development and is having
the greatest impact on the training function. (120 wds)
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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THESIS
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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SUSTAINED ARGUMENT
Paragraph A:
acknowledges opposing argument :
economic benefits
Paragraph B:
answers opposing argument with counter-
argument: evidence of poor learning outcomes
This is an idea
that goes against
your thesis
You use the counterargument to
refute/disprove the opposing argument
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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SUSTAINED ARGUMENT
Paragraph C:
confirms own position (thesis): argument for the blended approach
Paragraph D:
confirms own position: case study evidence supports blended approach arguments
1. acknowledges opposing argument about
cost effectiveness
2. however, evidence of personal interaction
confirms own thesis
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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SUSTAINED ARGUMENT
Paragraph E:
acknowledges a second opposing argument about training design:
1. evidence advocating computer technology in design
2. however, confirms own thesis with counter- evidence about importance of human element
Paragraph F:
confirms own thesis: argument for training needs analysis
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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Sustained argument… a) Advocates of online learning promote its advantages over traditional
instructor-led training.
b) Nonetheless, there is evidence that organisational enthusiasm for e-learning
is waning.
c) In the light of these arguments, a blended approach to e-learning seems to be
a viable alternative.
d) The success of the blended approach is evident in organisations which have
whole-heartedly embraced online learning.
e) While computer-based training may be successfully blended with face-to-face
instruction, the analysis of training needs remains one of the most important
areas in training, and this process is not easily performed by software.
f) As well as this analytical role, HR professionals are needed for specific
training design functions.
[acknowledgement of evidence that challenges thesis]
[evidence to answer challenge and support thesis]
[evidence to support thesis]
[evidence to support thesis]
[evidence that challenges thesis; this evidence immediately challenged to
support thesis]
[evidence to support thesis]
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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Paragraph structure…
Topic sentence [topic & an idea about it]
+ elaboration of the idea
+ examples [if appropriate]
+ concluding sentence [if appropriate]
» sums up the point of the paragraph
» may comment on relevance of the paragraph by referring back to thesis
» may not always be necessary if it interrupts flow to next point
See examples of Topic Sentence in the Handout
Topic Sentences
1. Identify the clearly stated topic and the controlling idea
about that topic:
Despite the fact that many people may object, daylight saving
should be extended to all states because it is an effective
way to reduce electricity consumption.
What might be included in the paragraph controlled by this
topic sentence?
• An explanation of daylight saving
• Which states observe daylight saving
• The ways in which daylight saving helps save electricity
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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TOPIC
Controlling idea
Topic Sentences
Oil is an everyday commodity. (from an essay about oil
consumption)
• Is this a good topic sentence? Why/why not?
– It is a topic, but there’s no idea. It is simply a statement
of fact.
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
13 Structured paragraph
Capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime. Statistics show that in
states with capital punishment, murder rates are the same, or almost
the same, as states without capital punishment. For example, in
NSW, where the death penalty was abolished in 1955, the homicide
rate remained the same for the five years before and the five years
after abolition (Giles, 1989, p. 56). Furthermore, the homicide rate
actually decreased in the next twenty years, from 6 per 100,000 to
4.4. per 100,000 (Giles, 1989, p. 56). These figures suggest, then,
that the re-instatement of the death penalty would have little effect as
a deterrent.
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
14 Cohesion within a paragraph
Another difference among the world’s seas and oceans is that the
salinity varies in different climate zones. For example, the Baltic Sea in
Northern Europe is only one-fourth as saline as the Red Sea in the
Middle East. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, in warm climates,
water evaporates rapidly and the concentration of salt is therefore
greater. Secondly, the surrounding land is dry and does not contribute
much fresh water to dilute the salty sea water. However, in cold
climate zones, water evaporates slowly and, furthermore, the runoff
created by melting snow adds a considerable amount of fresh water to
dilute the saline sea water.
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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Coherent, cohesive paragraph
Advocates of online learning quote a range of advantages over
traditional instructor-led training. The most immediate advantage is
that online learning facilitates ease of delivery where employees
may be geographically dispersed (Noe, 2002), or where the task of
organising a physical space for training would take time or even
production space (Dobbs, 2000). Consequently, a significant
advantage of online learning is that it is cost effective: the company
does not incur travel expenses or lose production hours. Given
these savings in costs, it would seem that computer technology may
easily replace the HR professional.
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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Cohesion between Paragraphs…
[A] Advocates of online learning often refer to its economic vantages over traditional instructor-led training...
[B] Nonetheless, there is evidence to suggest that these benefits may be an example of false economizing…
[C] However, it is not simply a matter of choosing between two methods of training… (blended approach)…
[D] The success of the blended approach is evident in two case studies…
[E] While the role of the HR professional might be secure regarding delivery of content, it has been argued that he/she is not needed for the design of such content…
[F] Finally, the analysis of training needs remains one of the most important areas in training…
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
17 OR…
Could the argument
be organised a different way?
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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A different line of argument…
[1] Advocates of online learning often refer to its economic advantages over
traditional instructor-led training...
[2] Nonetheless, there is evidence to suggest that these benefits may be
outweighed by the disadvantage of poor learning outcomes.
[3] Good learning outcomes are determined by good design, and some would
argue that software is capable of that function.
[4] Fundamental to good design is the adequate analysis of training needs, a
task not easily performed by software.
[5] However, it is not simply a matter of choosing between two methods of
training… (blended approach)…
[6] The success of the blended approach is evident in two case studies…
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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Introductions:
• should introduce topic, or address the question/problem,
and/or indicate purpose (report)
• may give background or definition
• should present your position (thesis statement)
• should outline the progression of arguments you are going to
make
• may indicate scope of discussion
• is generally 10% of the total words for the essay
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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Computer technology has made a dramatic difference to the nature of training delivery and administration.
ORIENTATION
However, it is simplistic to suggest that the role of the Human Resource Development (HR) professional will be usurped.
ADDRESSES
QUESTION
Rather, while effective computer-based training has a place in the HR function, the human element is still essential to staff training.
THESIS
It is becoming increasingly evident that [1] technological developments are not without limitations, and that [2] the most successful approach is to blend traditional instruction with self-paced computer learning. Furthermore, [3] HR professionals still have a significant role in training needs analysis, course design & evaluation.
OUTLINE
STATEMENTS
This discussion focuses on e-learning (or online learning), as it is the most controversial development and is having the greatest impact on the training function.
SCOPE STATEMENT
(definition)
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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Conclusions:
• summarise key points
• restate thesis position
• may qualify thesis
• no new arguments
• should reflect the introduction
August 7, 2014
Structure Your Writing | www.newcastle.edu.au
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Technology has changed the role of the HR professional, RETURN TO TOPIC
yet given its complexities and limitations, it is not foreseeable that the computer will entirely replace the human element required in the design, delivery and evaluation of training. The HR professional is still required
RESTATE THESIS
[with summary references]
to ensure that online course content and design is aligned to organisational goals and individual needs. Software programs cannot adequately implement quality teaching and learning principles, such as assessing a learner’s need for practice opportunities, or providing feedback that is relevant to the individual. The analysis of training needs, and the design and evaluation of learning outcomes relies on the expertise of HR staff. Consequently, the most successful approaches to using technology have incorporated a blend of self-paced e-learning and traditional face-to-face instruction.
SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS
E-learning raises more questions than solutions, and it will be the role of the HR professional to bring the necessary human element and organisational perspective to the equation.
FINISHING STATEMENT [restating thesis]
More help…
• Go to the LD Blackboard
• See a Learning Adviser for an individual consultation
August 7, 2014
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