1. Structuring your Extended Project
The University of York
Katy Mann

2. Structure Why is structure important in a piece of academic writing?
List three reasons and compare with your partner.

3. Academic writing Academic writing conforms to a set of general moves.
“ Academics say they enjoy innovative structures devised by their students, but they also warm very positively to this classic model “ ( Barnes, 1995 p.130)

4. The classic extended project is organised into sections:
Title page ( not counted)
Contents ( List of acronyms) ( not counted)
Abstract ( Abbrev.Acknowledgements) ( not counted)
Introductions
Review of background literature
Critique/ comment on literature
Summary & conclusion
Recommendations
References ( not counted)
Bibliography ( not counted)
Appendices ( not counted)
(Blaxter, 2006)

5. The reader’s five questions
1. What is the question/ problem or situation addressed? Title/ Introduction
2. How was the matter studied? Methods
3. What information/ data was obtained? Results/ Appendices
4. What interpretations/ comments and evaluations were made? Discussions/ conclusions
5. What actions are recommended? Conclusion/ recommendations

6. Structural Moves
Within most sections of the project report there are a series of moves ( Swales, 2000).

7. Introduction 10-20% Functions
To establish the background/ context and importance of the research
To explain the value
To identify the gap
To provide the reader with a clear structure
To clarify any key terms/ abbreviations

8. Structure of the Introduction
Establish the importance of the topic
Give a very brief synopsis of the key literature
Give your question
Explain your interest in the topic
Outline approach
Provide a synopsis of the research methods
Define key terms/ abbreviations
Structure
Provide an overview of how you will organise your report

9. Literature review Functions
To give the reader all the information they need to understand your research
To demonstrate the depth and breadth of your reading
To establish connections between your study and previous studies
To point out you know the arguments for and against the subject matter
To inspire, educate and excite the reader

10. Literature review structure
Distant-close
You cite and discuss work ever closer to your own
Research question grouped
From distance to close under each research question
Chronological
History of research- be careful not to get too descriptive here.

11. Taxonomy of skills (Bloom, 1964)
Evaluation
Synthesis
Summary

12. Balance your arguments
Studies against
Studies for
Gov. Reports
Books
journals
Journals

13. Types of resources Conference abstracts Journal articles
Scholarly books
Journal articles
Conference abstracts

14. Types of resources
Reliable newspapers
Gov. reports

15. Methods functions To describe exactly what you did
To explain why you did it
To describe the advantages and disadvantages of the method
To allow another research to repeat / expand on your research

16. Structure of Methods Describe different methods often used
in this type of research
Detail method selected and justify
Describe exact procedure
Discuss weaknesses

17. Results and discussion/ analysis
Functions:
To discuss relevant results or findings
To demonstrate your critical thinking/ evaluation

18. Conclusion & recommendations
Reiterate aims/ research question(s)
Restate key findings
Refrain from introducing new ideas
Recommend

19. References/ Bibliography
Zotero-Firefox extension
Word referencing tool
NOT footnotes

20. Appendices Copy of questionnaire Interview transcripts
Pictures/ diagrams not essential
Observation records
Extracts/ images

21. Small things, big difference
Avoid all things that may confuse-abbreviations
And so on….. etc
Signpost-direct the reader
Reference details in text and in References
Numbers under 10 spell out
Capitalisation-learn the rules and apply them
British spelling-adjust spellcheck

22. Examiner’s comments - Narrow range of literature
Lack of critical analysis
Poorly structured
Lack of references
Weak reflection and refinement of aims

23. Model examples
Read through the model/ exemplar reports from previous cohorts.
Think about why they were awarded A or A*
Read the examiner’s commentary and compare it to your view.

24. Checklist
Does the introduction help the reader understand how your research fits into a wider area of study?
Does the literature review demonstrate that you are familiar with a wide range of literature relevant to your study?
Is your method section clear and detailed enough to allow another researcher to replicate it?

25. Checklist continued
Is the information in the results and discussion section relevant to your research questions?
Are all your conclusions drawn from your research and supported by evidence?
Are all the transitions managed smoothly?
Are all the in-text references included in the References section?