OUGD601- Writing Structure

Chapter 1 – Introduction (400 words)

Clearly outline the topic you are investigating and explain to the reader why this is an important area to study.

Authorship -
The originator of a piece of work
Working away from the client on self-initiated projects
Control of content
Autonomous

Authorship is important to study due to the fact that it is a reaction to the traditional role of the designer as 'service provider', instead authorship encourages designers to take control of content; innovating and experimenting to explore personal interests and communicate societal, cultural or political views. This essay aims to explore theories of authorship from a range of creative industries in order to decipher its role and legitimacy within the field of graphic design.

and important to see if theories of authorship are relevant to the role of the graphic designer.

Authorship provides a platform to rethink the role of the graphic designer in terms of being a 'service provider' in search for

How I investigated the project

Theories from a range of creative disciplines
Textual sources
Talking to authors and theorists
Practical investigation
Case studies


Chapter 2 – Main Body 1: Context & Themes (2000 words)

The section where you will evidence the breadth and depth of your background research (6D1), whilst also demonstrating your own independent critical understanding of the contexts (be they aesthetic, cultural, historical, technological, social, political or other) contexts relevant to your chosen topic and, indeed, your subject discipline (6A1).

Evidence that you are aware of the key theoretical sources within your chosen topic

Evidence that you are aware of all the key contextual information (leading practitioners in the field, influential historical events, social and cultural contexts, policy, legislation etc) within your chosen topic.

Appraisals of the quality of evidence cited. Try to use reliable sources at all times. 

Evidence that you can triangulate between all of the above to arrive at independent conclusions that extend your knowledge of your topic. You should avoid writing in a linear or chronological fashion. The best writing at this level is comparative and critical. Write in paragraphs that focus on specific points, which are woven together cumulatively to build into a powerful and well-defended argument. Make your writing flow.

Explicitly explain the relevance of all of the material cited to your central research question or questions, and your chosen research methods (practical and textual). 

A mini- conclusion that links to the next chapter. 

Use Harvard Referencing throughout

Chapter 3 – Main Body 2: Case Studies of Practice (1500 words)

A number of extended analyses of specific works of art and/or design. Try not to include too many – two or three extended, critical analyses are preferable to many superficial analyses. 

A clear rationale for the selection of your chosen works. You can choose a number of works by the same practitioner, or different works by different practitioners. However, you must explicitly explain the relevance of all of the works cited to your central research question or questions, and your chosen research methods (practical and textual). This is best dealt with in the first paragraph of this chapter. 

Descriptive Analysis: Basically, describing the image in as much detail as you can to help with your later interpretation.

Chapter 4 – Main Body 3: Reflective Practice (700 words)

This is the final section of the main body of your Essay. It is suggested to be quite short, but in many ways it is the most important. It is the section where you will evidence your ability to use all the critical theory raised in the previous chapters to critical evaluate examples of your creative work (6B1). It also demonstrates how a synthesised, contextual, and theoretical understanding of your studio work has emerged through a rigorous and reflective process of research (6A1 / 6B1 / 6C1 / 6D1). This is called Reflective Practice

A Descriptive Analysis of the work produced during the practical side of the CoP3 module. Try to use as much detail as you can to help with your later interpretation. Include information about the project rationale, research methods, timescales, location, and project management. 

A Theoretical and Contextual Analysis of the work produced during the practical side of the CoP3 module. You must explicitly explain the relevance of all of the works cited in Chapter 2, and all of the works analysed in Chapter 3, to the work produced and the production decisions made during the process. You should also discuss how the work you have produced relates to your central research question or questions, and your chosen research methods (practical and textual). Finally, you should try to suggest how your own work has extended your knowledge of your chosen research topic.

Chapter 5 – Conclusion (400 words)

An extended paragraph summarising the findings of each of the preceding chapters. This can be tackled on a chapter-by-chapter basis, or as something more overarching, comparative, or fluid.

A paragraph evaluating the successes and/or shortcomings of your research project. This should include an extended discussion of the extent to which your research body successfully synthesises theory and practice. Try to discuss research methods and processes as much as final outcomes.

All conclusions should be linked to evidence produced in the main body of the essay. If you have material in the conclusion that doesn’t relate to preceding evidence, then take it out.

All conclusions should explicitly answer the Research Questions outlined in the Introduction of the Essay.

The conclusion should be written in a formal academic tone. Though the emphasis is on personal reflection, try to avoid a first person, conversational tone.