Think about the order of your points – which signals the development of your argument.
What is your overall point?.. Then work through it by establishing the issues, has this been theorised previously?
If you feel you are losing the plot, go back to the question, reflect on your focus, go back to your introduction
Constantly remind yourself: what do I want to say? Why did I choose this focus?
Order your points logically so that they flow in connection to the themes/issues you have raised
Simplicity in structure is best (NB not simplistic argument) = achieving clarity
Don’t be convoluted or verbose.
Inject yourself into the argument. Description is regurgitating/ recounting other’s arguments/ rehashing without reflection
Break into the argument by asking yourself questions: what are the reasons scholars are interested in the debates between law and medicine? Why must we account for prison deaths? Why should we care? What are the theoretical debates?
What is the importance of using the theory? Is there a quote from the readings that you can use? Or one that you disagree with? What can boost your argument?
Use quotes wisely the purpose of the quote is to evidence your argument
All this means you will be exercising a perspective
Critical analysis does not constitute ‘trashing’ – ie do not write that someone’s argument is ridiculous, stupid, etc
Academic writing requires that you unfold your argument through analysis, not through trashing.
Instead of saying ‘I wholeheartedly disagree with the unwarranted and irrelevant points noted by X’, you could say “In noting so and so’s argument that X causes Y, this analysis differs in that it considers additional issues of such and such”……
It is important to think too about any legal instruments of relevance – are you looking at sentencing? It would be wise to look at the legislative arrangements in relation sentencing for eg!
Demonstrate that you have researched the relevant legal instruments/know what they are and mean if they are of relevance
Don’t forget to include legal cases and/or statutes in your bibliography under a separate title – such as ‘Cases’ ‘Acts’ or ‘Statutes’. BE THOROUGH.
Stick to one referencing system and make sure you are (a) KNOW how to use it and (b) are consistent.
Check out the essay writing help USYD provides via the Learning Centre, the WriteSite etc if you are unclear on appropriate referencing practices.
Overall what you need to care about:
Expression and sentence structure
Grammar
Structure of your argument
Referencing
Research resources
Presentation