Preparing a Plan For Writing or Presenting

Assignment writing involves a process. Often the best results will occur when you approach it as a series of steps.

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