Summary

The provided text outlines a comprehensive guide for structuring essays and blog posts, including advice on crafting titles, introductions, main bodies, conclusions, and Harvard referencing.

Abstract

The article titled "The Perfect Structure for the Perfect Post" emphasizes the importance of a clear and logical structure in writing, whether for academic essays or blog posts. It suggests that a good title should encapsulate the central question or theme of the piece. The introduction should set the stage by interpreting the title, outlining the topics to be explored, and presenting the main arguments. The main body, constituting the bulk of the work, should develop the argument through a series of paragraphs, each making a point, providing evidence, and explaining its relevance, following the PEEL (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) method. The conclusion should summarize the argument without introducing new material, restate key points, and link back to the title. Additionally, the article provides examples of Harvard referencing for books and websites.

Opinions

The author believes that adhering to a structured approach in writing ensures clarity and effectiveness in conveying the message.
It is implied that the quality of writing is not solely about content but also about how well the content answers the question or theme posed in the title.
The PEEL method is presented as a valuable tool for constructing persuasive and coherent arguments within each paragraph.
The article suggests that a well-structured essay or post can significantly enhance the writer's voice and encourage readers to engage more deeply with the content.
Proper Harvard referencing is considered essential for academic integrity and credibility in non-fiction writing.

The Perfect Structure for the Perfect Post

Including how to Harvard reference correctly.

“brown pencil on white book page” by Jan Kahánek on Unsplash

Whether you are writing an academic essay or an article for your blog here is a simple structure that you can use. Using this will help clarify your posts and excel in all your writing.

Post / Essay Title

Every essay title should contain an explicit or implicit question. Your writing should focus on answering that question. For good results ensure that you are answering the question in everything you write. Don’t go off in a different direction. If you write a brilliant piece that doesn’t answer the question then the results will be poor.

Introduction: (about 10% of the work)

Explain how you interpret the title and what you are going to present in your writing.
What issues/topics are you going to explore? What issues and facts are you going to examine?
What will be your focus? If you are asking a question what are your main arguments for writing this post.
What will your writing show your readers?

Main Body (about 80% of the work)

Use a chain of paragraphs to explore and develop your ideas/argument.
You will have 4 or 5 main topics. Each of these topics should have paragraphs which introduce the topic. Then you need to present examples and evidence to show why it is important.
In each paragraph the reader is asking you to explain: what is this paragraph about; what is the writer’s argument; what evidence are they providing for this.
Then link these arguments to the next paragraph.

P.E.E.L

The easiest way to remember this is to remember the mnemonic PEEL

Point — What is the point you are making?
Evidence — What evidence do you have to support this point?
Explain — Explain how this evidence proves your point.
Link — Use evidence and quotes to link these points of view to other writers or quotes.

Conclusion (about 10% of the essay)

Do not introduce any new material here.
Summarise your ideas/argument
Restate what you consider to be the main points that you have presented in the body of the writing.
Make it clear why those conclusions are important or significant.
In your last sentence, link your conclusions or recommendations back to the title.

Harvard Referencing — If needed

Books

Last name, First initial. (Year published). Title. Edition. (Only include the edition if it is not the first edition) City published: Publisher, Page(s).

Example:

Patterson, J. (2005). Maximum Ride. New York: Little, Brown

Websites

Last name, First initial (Year published). Page title. [online] Website name. Available at: URL [Accessed Day Mo. Year].

Example:

Mms.com, (2015). M&M’S Official Website. [online] Available at: http://www.mms.com/ [Accessed 20 Apr. 2015].

You can follow this structure for everything you write. Whether this is an academic essay or a post for your blog. A clear structure helps readers follow the knowledge. A clear presentation in the middle of the writing provides a strong writers voice and encourages readers to revisit your work.

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