Unit 4 Structuring an assignment, exercise 1

A Academic disciplines have different guidelines for organizing an academic paper. However, most papers, whether they are student assignments or in an academic journal, conform to a basic format.

Abstract: An abstract is a short summary of the entire paper, including both the aims and the conclusions. It helps the reader decide whether or not they want to read the paper.

Introduction and background: Most introductions describe the general topic area and then focus on the main point of the paper: the research question or the writer's thesis. This section also gives background to the topic. It often includes a literature review, which describes previous research that is relevant to the main point of the paper.

Methodology and results: In a paper based on primary research, these sections give a detailed description of the design of the experiment and the results obtained.

Discussion: This is the key section of the paper where the writer sets out their main thesis or claim. It should include a detailed and well-supported argument and discussion of the issue. In a paper based on research, it gives an interpretation of the results.

Conclusion: The conclusion should be more than just a summary of the paper. It should show why the main ideas are significant and what implications they might have. It might also acknowledge any limitations of the paper, such as a small sample size, and outline possible further areas for research.

References: Sometimes also called a bibliography, this section contains a detailed list of all the sources used in the paper. The reader can also use these references to find more information on the topic.

Appendices: Detailed data that are too lengthy to include in the main part of the paper can be included in an appendix at the end.