Organising ideas and linking devices
IntroducedPlan, then write
- Spend one minute on a plan before you write.
- Note your main ideas and put them in order.
- A plan stops you forgetting a point or repeating yourself.
A plan takes a minute; rewriting the whole essay can take lunch.
Put the writing steps in order.
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Plan, order, write, then check.
One idea per paragraph
- Put each main idea in its own paragraph.
- Start a new paragraph for a new idea.
- This makes your writing clear and easy to follow.
A one-minute plan becomes your paragraphs: one idea each, joined by linking words
Build a paragraph, rung by rung
A strong paragraph states the idea, explains it, proves it, then hands over to the next one.
Each paragraph should contain…
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One main idea per paragraph keeps it clear.
Link your ideas
- Use linking words to join ideas smoothly.
- Adding: in addition, also. Contrast: however, although. Result: so, therefore.
- Linking words guide the reader through your writing.
Choose a result word: 'It rained, ___ we stayed inside.'
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'So' shows the result of the rain.
Write two short sentences joined with the word 'however'.
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Example: 'I wanted to go out. However, it was raining.'
Which TWO of these are contrast linkers?
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'although' and 'however' turn the idea around; 'also' adds, 'therefore' concludes.
Watch a paragraph grow
- Topic sentence: "School trips teach more than classrooms sometimes can."
- Explain it: "As well as being fun, they make students plan, budget and work as a team."
- Example: "On our trip to Xi'an, my group managed the whole train timetable."
- Link forward: "However, trips only work when…" — the reader glides into your next paragraph.
- Plan and order your ideas first.
- One main idea per paragraph.
- Linking words join your ideas smoothly.