Key words: report writing, signposts, headings, heading levels, sub-headings, parallel structure, maximal & minimal capitalisation Headings are standard for some written forms (e.g. report writing, case studies). However, lecturers can be divided about whether they allow/prefer you to use headings in your academic essays. Some
lecturers prefer headings while others don’t want you to use headings. You will need to check your lecturer’s preference. If you do use headings, then use them wisely and correctly. Most students who have just completed secondary studies come to university with the firm belief that you should not use headings in essay writing. The use of headings in formal writing was once restricted to business style writing, such as report writing. However, in more recent
times, headings are often used in formal academic writing such as books and journals. Also, texts on the Internet are easier to read on screen if they have headings. Headings are signposts that focus the reader on the most important content in a piece of writing, and are usually connected to the set question. Provided that they are well structured, a few headings make longer pieces of writing easier to write and easier to read (for the marker). Look at headings systems in your unit reading
material, and you will get a ‘feeling’ for their structure and suitability. Exercise 1: Recognising the appropriate use of headings It’s easy to see why you need a few rules to help you develop a good system of headings. Compare the following sets of headings then answer the questions that follow: INTRODUCTION HEADING HIERARCHIES (sub-headings for this section) EFFECTIVE WORDING FOR HEADINGS (sub-headings for this section) CONCLUSION INTRODUCTION What are the heading hierarchies? (sub-headings for this section) Effective WORDING for HEADINGS (sub-headings for this section) CONCLUSION
Read this description of a well-structured set of headings: This description applies to: Heading set 1 Correct! When you see headings set out like this, it becomes
obvious that you need to create a plan for your headings before you start. Heading set 1 follows the rules and is logical, whereas Heading set 2 breaks the rules and would send the reader on a ‘chase’ to work out what the writer means. So, take a couple of minutes to work out a consistent plan for using headings and apply it to all of your essays. In general, you are expected to use headings correctly so that your writing is clear, and it is obvious that you
have answered the set question. There are rules to help you to do this. Click on the links to see more details and examples. Design a system of graded headings BEFORE YOU START YOUR ESSAY, HAVE A CLEAR AND LOGICAL HEADING HIERARCHY. Work out a system of headings that you can use with all of your essays. Headings should be graded at levels to show a clear order of importance (e.g. level 1 – most important; level 2 – next important and so on). You will mainly use one to three levels of headings in your essay, depending on the length of your assignment. For example, most 2000 word essays may only require 3-5 level 1 headings (i.e. a level 1 heading every 2-3 pages). Remember that the aim of using headings is to keep your reader on track. Too many headings and too many levels creates confusion. When you design
a heading system, show the relative importance of headings with the type size, position (e.g. centred or left justified), using boldface, underlining or capital letters. You can follow a recommended pattern or make up your own system—so long as it is clear and consistent. Example: Distribute information in logical sections Information in logical sectionsUSE HEADINGS FOR SECTIONS IN YOUR DOCUMENT (NOT FOR EACH PARAGRAPH). The key to working out your essay sections is to work from your question analysis. Consider the following question: Many lecturers now approve of the use of headings in academic essays. Consider whether the benefits outweigh the problems for the writers and markers. Identify and discuss the key rules for using headings appropriately in academic essays. (2000 words) Example of a heading plan for this question: Level 1 headings Level 2
headings (example from one section) Heading hierarchies (3 paragraphs) Effective wording of headings (2 paragraphs) Only use sub-headings if there is a lot of information in a section. Use three principles to word your headings Effective wording of headingsWHEN YOU DESIGN YOUR HEADINGS SYSTEM, MAKE SURE THAT THE WORDING IS CONSISTENT. Use three basic principles to word your headings:
For example:
Punctuate headings correctly and consistently Correct punctuation for headingsIT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU KNOW AND APPLY PUNCTUATION RULES TO YOUR HEADINGS. Headings can be single words or short phrases and DO NOT require a full stop unless you have used a question as a heading—a question mark is then required. The use of capital letters may follow either of the following approaches provided that you are consistent:
Linking headings to the following text INTRODUCE THE TOPIC OF YOUR HEADING IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH FOLLOWING YOUR HEADING. When you place a heading in the text, it is a signpost for a section of writing. You need to begin the following paragraph with a sentence that introduces the reader to the heading topic and then announce what will be coming in that section in the essay—just as you do in the essay introduction. A heading is not part of the text of your paragraph, so you should not refer to it with a pronoun reference (e.g. this, these, that). Example: Effective wording of headings This means that the wording of the heading matches the information of the following section. Do not make the heading part of the first sentence.
What NOT to doThere is much to learn from what is NOT wanted. Following are some of the common mistakes made in the use of headings in formal written work: Click on the links to see more details. DO NOT rules
Avoid rules
Headings for essay planningDesigning a good headings system is also very helpful for setting up a plan for writing as you can quickly see whether you have included and balanced all of the parts of a question. Make sure your headings match the information you signal in the outline statement of your introduction paragraph. How do you write the heading?Things to remember when writing headings and subheadings. Keep headings concise. Headings are typically one to five words long, like a title. ... . Use headings to enhance, not replace. Headings (and subheadings) should supplement the substance of your paper, not take the place of your topic sentences. ... . Do not overdo it.. What is a heading in writing example?Headings are signposts that help you structure longer pieces of writing and allow the reader easily navigate their way around a document. The type of headings used will depend on the format of your writing: for example, a case study will have different headings to a report.
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