Preparing a Plan For Writing or Presenting
An assignment scaffold can also be a useful way to organise your ideas and guide your reading and writing. Here are two examples of assignment scaffolds, one for the Conflict Resolution Unit (Counselling/Psychology), and one for the Drugs And Crime Unit (Criminology & Justice). A blank 'Assessment Scaffold' (Word document) can be downloaded below.
Conflict Resolution (Reflective Essay)
Section |
Info for each section (dot points) |
Words |
Introduction |
• Info about topic - conflict and conflict resolution • Main points - analysing two conflicts in terms of 'x', 'y', and 'z' • Thesis statement - Conflict skills are... |
150 |
Conflict 1: Summary |
• Summary of conflict with work colleague • Stages of conflict - link to Eunson (2007) |
150 |
Conflict 1: Managing |
• My conflict style/approach - collaborative? competitive? • Link to Kriesberg & Dayton (2012) - conflict can be 'good' if approached and managed correctly |
150 |
Conflict 1: Use of Skills |
• Active listening • Negotiation - link to conflict outcome • Link to Smith (2001) - article on win-win approach |
150 |
Conflict 1: Areas for improvement |
• Better active listening and empathy • Use less confrontational approach |
150 |
Conflict 2: Summary | • Summary of conflict with partner | 200 |
Conflict 2: Managing | • My conflict style | 150 |
Conflict 2: Use of Skills |
• Assertiveness • Containing/managing emotions • Link to Jones (2012) - paper on flow behaviour |
150 |
Conflict 2: Areas for improvement | • Improve and practice my assertiveness skills | 150 |
Conclusion |
• Summary of main points: • The two conflicts • My strengths & areas for improvement • Why conflict is necessary and why skills should be developed • Restate thesis statement • Final comments |
150 |
Drugs And Crime (Report)
Section | Info for each section (dot points) | Words |
Introduction |
• Background of war on drugs • Signpost 'war' failed to reduce - rate of drug use, availability of drugs, burden on prison system • Thesis statement - Increased harm reduction and decriminalisation strategies are more effective methods to combat drug use and addiction |
200 |
Section 1: The war on drugs |
• Brief explanation and context • Facts to support 'war' |
300 |
Section 2: Rate of drug use |
The war on drugs has failed to reduce the rate of drug use • Evidence/examples to support statement |
300 |
Section 3: Availability of drugs |
The war on drugs has failed to reduce the availability of drugs • Evidence/examples to support statement |
300 |
Section 4: Burden on the prison system |
The war on drugs has failed to reduce the burden on the prison system • Evidence/examples to support statement |
300 |
Section 5: Harm reduction and decriminalisation |
Increased harm reduction and decriminalisation strategies are more effective methods to combat drug use and addiction • Evidence/examples to support statement |
300 |
Conclusion |
• Summary of main points • Restate thesis statement • Final comments |
200 |