EXAMPLE OF MINI-PLANS
4. Effects on academic performance
A. Negative
• Confusion  poor time management  poor exam performance.
“Stress has a negative impact on academic performance.
Discuss.”
• Lack of confidence  demotivation  poor exam performance.
WHAT TO DO FIRST
B. Positive
• Positive adrenalin aids exam revision  good exam performance.
• Creativity enhances study strategies  good exam performance.
• Analyse the title and break it down.
• Make a basic plan of issues based on the title.
BASIC PLAN ISSUES
Introduction*
• Definition/s of stress
• Negative aspects of stress
• Positive aspects of stress
• Effects on academic performance
Main body
1. Definition of stress
Basic Definition
(Reference)
Analysis of
the definition
Conclusion*
*See relevant leaflets for explanation of these essay parts.
LINK BETWEEN READING,
NOTES AND MINI-PLANS
Reading and collecting notes for your essay is very important since
good note-taking will lead to good writing (see relevant guidance
notes). When you have made your mini-plans, you will need to use
a numbering and/or a colour coding system on your notes, which
will help you link the notes with the points on your plan to structure
your essay well.
Checklist for your mini-plans
What is Stress?
More complex
definition (Reference)
They should:
• isolate and break down individual points from the basic plan.
2. Negative aspects of stress
• Causes confusion  Example (reference)
• promote a framework which your notes can extend.
• present different ideas or arguments .
• Leads to lack of confidence  Example (reference)
• connect where possible to any criteria given by the tutor.
• Read to find more points (note to yourself).
•include any relevant examples.
3. Positive aspects of stress
• Boosts adrenalin  aids short term-memory (reference)
 motivates (reference)
ACADEMIC
LEARNING
DEVELOPMENT
•show links between theory and your practice (if relevant to
your study).
• Promotes creativity (reference)
For more resources, see the Academic Learning Development
Blackboard.
• Read to find more points (note to yourself).
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PLANNING
AND
STRUCTURING
YOUR ESSAY
BASIC
AND MINI
ESSAY PLANS
BASIC ESSAY PLAN
• A list or bullet points. For example:
A plan is essential for successful essay writing. To make this
initial plan, you need to analyse and decode your essay
title and any criteria which have to be applied. Thus, make
Basic
plan Ask yourself questions
sure you understand
youressay
essay title.
such as: is it in one, two or more parts? What issues is it
A planyou
is to
essential
forSee
successful
To
asking
focus on?
Guidanceessay
notes writing.
13 & 14 for
make this initial plan, you need to analyse and decode
common essay terms for structuring your essay.
your essay title and any criteria which have to be
applied. Thus, make sure you understand your essay
title. Ask yourself questions such as: is it in one, two
or more parts? What issues is it asking you to focus
on? See Guidance notes 13 & 14 for common essay
terms for structuring your essay.
Choose a plan which suits you and your essay. Two types
are suggested below.Type
Both of
of these
plan plans break down the
essay title into key issues. You will probably have some
Choose
a plan
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idea
of these
so which
jot them
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no idea Two
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you
to do some
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down the essay title into key issues. You will probably
points.
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have no idea at all, you will have to do some skim
reading
first,
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thediagram
key points.
•
A
mind
map
spider
with the title in the centre
and the key issues leading from it. Note these can split
map
spider diagram with the title in the
 down
A mind
again
into/ sub-points.
centre and the key issues leading from it. Note
these can split down again into sub-points.
For example, if the essay title is:
For example, if the essay title is:
TITLE
TYPE OF PLAN
”Stress”Stress
has a has
negative
impact
on academic
performance.
a negative
impact
on academic
Discuss.”
performance. Discuss.”

• Key issue 1
A list or bullet points. For example:
Negative effects  a. feel ill
 b. can’t concentrate
TITLE
 •Key
issue 1
Key issue 2
CHECKLIST FOR BASIC ESSAY PLAN
It should:
• be a breakdown of the key issues suggested by the essay title.
• have numbered points.
your sub-points,
plan for your
essay.related
Believe
4. Yes, do use
• show
perhaps
ideas, theories or models.
in it, don’t•just
write it and
throw
it and
away!
be extended
as you
read
find more key issues.
• give you a framework for your essay.
Checklist for basic essay plan
Negative effects
a. feel ill
Positive effects 
a. adrenalin
b. can’t concentrate
 Key issue 2
effects
a. adrenalin
•Positive
Key issue
3, etc.
It should:


Key issue 3, etc.
FAQS
FAQs


MINI-PLANS
be a breakdown
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in your
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have numbered points.
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REASONS FOR MAKING MINI-PLANS
1. 1.Why
plan before
beforeI read and research?
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basic essay
essay plan
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I
read
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research?
2. Is that all the planning I have to do?
issues. • They help you to focus on each key issue separately.
3. What if I don’t want to use mind maps or bullet points?
This is particularly important for those who lose concentration
2. Is that all the planning I have to do?
4. Anything else,
easily or feel
 give you a framework
foroverwhelmed.
your essay.
3. What if I don’t want to use mind maps or
bullet points?
ANSWERS
4. Anything else?
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components and keep to the word count.
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