The structure of a paper

Ask one or two thought-provoking questions.

• Why is industrial expansion more important than the survival of valuable ecosystems? Last year, that kind of priority resulted in the death of six hundred thousand red-tailed swallows in Ungolu.

Challenge a popular opinion.

• It is a commonly held belief that the declining population of red-tailed swallows is due to the nature  of their mating rituals. However, the real threat to the survival of this species is the destruction of the Ungolu rainforest.

Start with a startling statement or fact.

• Last year, over six hundred thousand red-tailed swallows died as a result of the destruction of their habitat. This represents the loss of more than half of the species' total population.

Define key terms.

• The most immediate danger to the red-tailed swallow is clear-cutting, or the removal of all trees in a given territory. One of its devastating consequences is the destruction of natural habitats.

Provide a brief history of the topic.

• The red-tailed swallow is found only in the Ungolu rainforest, which has been getting smaller every year due to human encroachment. This bird is a vital part of the Ungolu ecosystem, as it controls the population of the destructive corkscrew beetle.

Review the controversy or problem.

• While environmentalists protest the destruction of the Ungolu rainforest for the sake of its wildlife, and particularly for the sake of the red-tailed swallow, the inhabitants of the area demand more land for cattle and living space and require more wood to generate revenue.

Adopt a linear outline by building each new idea on the previous one.

• As this paper will show, the clear-cutting of the rainforest has already eliminated much of the natural habitat of the red-tailed swallow, thus reducing the population growth rate of a species that plays a vital part in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Its extinction would result not only in the destruction of the rainforest, but in the destruction of the ecology that it shelters as well. What's more, the extinction of the red-tailed swallow is unnecessary—there are more ecological and long- lasting ways than logging to ensure the economic development of Ungolu.

Follow a binary outline by opposing two ideas (advantages and disadvantages, similarities and differences, etc.).

• This paper will oppose the needs of the people of Ungolu and the needs of the rainforest's red-tailed swallow population in the hopes of finding a solution that would allow the survival of both parties.First, it will assess the current threats to the economic well-being of the people of Ungolu and identify ways to ensure a constant source of revenue. Second, it will assess the current threats to the natural habitat of the rainforest's red-tailed swallow population and identify ways to avoid its destruction.

Make a ternary outline by presenting arguments, counterarguments, and a nuanced position on a topic.

• In this paper, we will first focus on the economic benefits that justify the current clear-cutting practices in Ungolu. We will then discuss the environmental risks that arise from and condemn these same practices, which have already begun to affect the balance of the rainforest's ecosystem. Finally, we will explore more ecological and long-lasting solutions that would ensure both the economic development of Ungolu and the protection of the rainforest and of its wildlife

Context: Effects of the destruction of the Ungolu rainforest

Why is industrial expansion more important than the survival of valuable ecosystems? Last year, that kind of priority resulted in the death of six hundred thousand red-tailed swallows in Ungolu. While environmentalists protest the destruction of the Ungolu rainforest for the sake of its wildlife, and particularly for the sake of the red-tailed swallow, the inhabitants of the area demand more land for cattle and living space, and require more wood to generate revenue. Although they insist that their society depends on logging practices, it does not justify the effects of these practices. Without a change in policy, the red-tailed swallow will most likely disappear by the end of this year. . . . 

Thesis: Effects of the extinction of the red-tailed swallow

 . . . The extinction of this species must be prevented because it would have a devastating impact on the Ungolu rainforest. . . .

Outline: Human encroachment, ecosystem survival, and possible solutions

. . . As this paper will show, the clear-cutting of the rainforest has already eliminated much of the natural habitat of the red-tailed swallow, thus reducing the population growth rate of a species that plays a vital part in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Its extinction would result not only in the destruction of the rainforest, but in the destruction of the ecology that it shelters as well. What's more, the extinction of the red-tailed swallow is unnecessary—there are more ecological and long- lasting ways than logging to ensure the economic development of Ungolu.

The outline is the framework for the paper. In point form or in complete sentences, it lists your main and supporting ideas as well as your evidence or examples in the order in which they will appear in the body. Each one of these ideas must be connected to the thesis.

The types of writing most often seen in academic papers are expository writing and argumentative writing.

• The purpose of expository writing (also called informative writing) is to explain something to your reader, whether it is the analysis of a certain phenomenon, situation or problem; the interpretation of a novel or poem; or any other exposition of verifiable facts or ideas. Since they cannot rely on much research or planning, term exams often require the use of expository writing.
• The purpose of argumentative writing (also called persuasive writing) is to convince your reader of something, whether it is the validity of a certain study's results or conclusions; the validity of a certain position within a debate; or any other argument based on verifiable facts or ideas. Since they rely on a lot of research and planning, term papers often require the use of argumentative writing.

Many strategies can be used to achieve these purposes. For instance, common ways to discuss a topic in academic papers include the presentation of arguments and counterarguments, of causes and effects, of pros and cons, and of similarities and differences.

Because there are various ways to structure a paper, you must find the outline that allows you to express your ideas in the clearest and most instructive or convincing way.

Block Structure

1. Advantages
    1.1 Element A
    1.2 Element B
    1.3 Element C

2. Disadvantages
    2.1 Element A
    2.2 Element B
    2.3 Element C

Point-by-point Structure

1. Element A
    1.1 Advantages
    1.2 Disadvantages

2. Element B
    2.1 Advantages
    2.2 Disadvantages

3. Element C
    3.1 Advantages
    3.2 Disadvantages

The main ideas are the backbone of the argumentation. They directly support the thesis and, together, they cover all the major issues that are raised by the thesis in order to ensure that the topic is fully explored. They have a clear and direct connection with the thesis and are further developed by supporting ideas.

Example: The red-tailed swallow is a vital part of the ecosystem.

Secondly, it is important to mention that the extinction of the red-tailed swallow would not stop at the elimination of only one species. Since the red-tailed swallow is a vital part of the Ungolu rainforest's ecosystem, its absence would affect the entire forest. . . .

The main ideas determine the structure of the entire paper. They must be organized logically, but they can be organized in a variety of ways: in chronological order, in order of importance, from general to specific, from theory to practice, according to advantages and disadvantages, etc. 

The supporting ideas are the more focused arguments that bolster the main ideas. They have a clear and direct connection with the main ideas and are backed-up by evidence or examples.

Example: Without the red-tailed swallow, the reproduction rate of the corkscrew beetle will increase drastically.

. . . For instance, this bird is the only insectivorous predator in the region that has a beak suitable for digging corkscrew beetles out of the bark of a tree; hence it is the only major predator that controls the insect's population (Andrews, 2010). However, its numbers have already begun to grow dramatically in Ungolu (Bates, 2012), and numerous studies point to the correlation between the rise in the corkscrew beetle population and the drop in the red-tailed swallow population. We can therefore assume that, without the red-tailed swallow, the corkscrew beetle will reproduce unchecked and destroy the Ungolu rainforest, along with the ecology that it supports. . . . 

The evidence or examples are the words, ideas, and facts borrowed from the sources that have been consulted during research. This borrowed material is used to strengthen the arguments in a more concrete way. Every quotation, paraphrase, and summary must be followed by a reference.

Example: Quotation from Cooper (2001)

. . . Indeed, the corkscrew beetle "is strictly herbivorous—it bores into trees and consumes them from the inside out. Multiple beetles can live in and feed off the same tree, killing it in less than three  weeks before moving to the next" (Cooper, 2011, p. 43). This example clearly shows that the   presence of the red-tailed swallow is invaluable for wildlife preservation. Consequently, finding sustainable solutions to prevent its extinction is of paramount importance. 

A paragraph is a group of related sentences done with a first line indentation in order to divide the content of a text into more manageable parts. Together, these sentences must develop an idea, and develop it clearly.

• The "ingoing" transition ensures coherence between the previous paragraph and the current one; it shows how the upcoming idea is connected to the idea that was just developed.
• The topic sentence (or main point) is the backbone of the paragraph. It manages the reader's expectations by stating the idea that will be developed in the paragraph and its connection to the thesis.
• Supporting ideas are the more focused arguments that bolster the main point of the paragraph. Their purpose is to provide an explanation or elaboration of the topic sentence.
• Supporting evidence is any example, idea or fact borrowed from other sources in order to strengthen the arguments.
• Their relevance must be explained; quoting a source is not enough.
• The wrap-up sentence (or explanation) is a final comment that summarizes the ideas contained in the paragraph. It brings the focus back to the main point of the paragraph.
• The "outgoing" transition ensures coherence between the current paragraph and the next one; it shows how the idea that was just developed is connected to the upcoming idea.

The conclusion's first task is to summarize the arguments that were presented in the body of the paper by focusing on the connections between the main ideas and the thesis. All the partial conclusions that have been made must be restated in a more official and cohesive way in order to convince the reader of their validity.

A strong summary reaffirms the thesis and highlights the strengths of the paper. Only the most compelling ideas should be selected. Do not introduce new arguments like: "The exotic animal trade also plays a vital part in this issue." 

The conclusion's second task is to make a final comment that supports the thesis in a memorable way. The closing lines of a paper must therefore place the thesis in a larger context by showing its significance within the field of study.

Here are a few ways of ending the paper:

Answer a question that was asked in the introduction.

We seem to find industrial expansion more important than environmental issues not simply because of self-interest, but because of short-sightedness as well. Indeed, it is partly because we do not bother to think of long-term consequences that we destroy such important ecosystems.

Illustrate your position with a relevant image.

Instead of a rainforest filled with life, imagine a vast pit of rotting tree stumps and animal carcasses. This is the inevitable effect of the extinction of the red-tailed swallow. It has already begun, through clear-cutting practices and corkscrew beetle infestations, and it has to stop before it is too late.

Make a prediction or propose a solution.

In order to save the red-tailed swallow, we must halt the destruction of its habitat and provide compensation for the inhabitants of Ungolu. If we do not act quickly, there will soon be no rainforest left to speak of, and the inhabitants of the area will be even worse off than before the introduction of logging practices.

To specify or reinforce an idea, use transition words like:

To draw a relationship of cause and effect between two elements, use transition words like:

To end a discussion on a topic, use transition words like:

To establish a condition, set limits, or consider another point of view, use transition words like:

To oppose two or more ideas, use transition words like:

To place more importance on an idea in an effort to get the reader's attention, use transition words like:

To introduce an example, use transition words like:

To introduce a new idea, use transition words like:

To establish the order in which ideas follow one another, use transition words like: