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Writing frames

Writing frames are an excellent way to structure your writing. They help you organise your ideas in a logical, coherent way. But it's also important to make sure they don't restrict you. As always, critical thinking is needed to use them effectively.

There are drawbacks to writing frames. They can cramp and restrict real thinking. For instance, look at basic notion that a text has to have an Intro, a Main Body, and a Conclusion. If you set out thinking that writing consists solely of three units, you are not likely to write well.

But hang on ... just look at that first paragraph. What do we have ?

Intro

There are drawbacks to writing frames.

Main Body

They can cramp and restrict real thinking. For instance, look at the basic notion that a text has to have an Intro, a Main Body, and a Conclusion.

Conclusion

If you set out thinking that writing consists solely of three units, you are not likely to write well.

Frames in Sequence

Here is how a sequence of writing frames moves from simple to complex, using a basic "For and Against" essay as an example. The more complex the frame, the more your ideas interact.

  • (Very) Simple: The two-lump structure. You put all of your "for" ideas in one paragraph and all of your "against" ideas in another. Because the arguments are isolated, sophisticated discussion is unlikely, but at least your ideas are categorised.
  • Alternating (1): One idea "for" is followed immediately by one idea "against". This creates interplay between the arguments, especially if you link your paragraphs logically by related topics.
  • Alternating (2): The reversed structure. You begin with "against" followed by "for". This changes the effect because each pair ends on a positive note, allowing your "for" arguments to answer the counterclaims. Choose this version if your overall stance is "FOR".
  • Crossover / Blended: You pair opposing viewpoints within the same paragraph to address common aspects of the issue. This creates real debate, allowing differing interpretations to develop side by side.
  • Interwoven: You play with the sequencing even further (e.g., PRO 1 + CON 1 > CON 2 + PRO 2). This creates a highly sophisticated, interwoven argument.

Moving Towards Complexity: One, Two, and Three

These three essay frames show how you can handle increasingly complex combinations of ideas. While these are designed for essays, remember that these exact same techniques can be used to organise any text type. Click the + icon below to see each approach.

1. The Definition Frame (Handling One Concept)

This frame focuses on unfolding, analysing, and debating the various meanings wrapped up in a single, complex concept, like the word “culture.”

                       [ Introduction ]
                              │
       ┌──────────────────────┼──────────────────────┐
       ▼                      ▼                      ▼
[ Key Word 1 ]         [ Key Word 2 ]         [ Key Word 3 ]
(Sub-definition)       (Sub-definition)       (Sub-definition)
       │                      │                      │
       └──────────────────────┼──────────────────────┘
                              ▼
                       [ Conclusion ]
             (How the key words relate together)
  • How it works: You look up a complex word across different dictionaries to discover its range of meanings. Select three to five significant "Key Words" (sub-definitions) from your research. You then write a paragraph about each Key Word, discussing your understanding of it and how it relates back to the central concept.
  • The Challenge: The trick is creating cohesion. Avoid writing separate mini-essays that have no connection. Your paragraphs must link logically, and your conclusion must weave all your chosen Key Words back together into a final, unified argument.

2. The Compare and Contrast Frame (Handling Two Concepts)

This frame requires you to directly relate, assess, and map out the similarities and differences between two separate concepts or subjects—such as comparing two different countries.

                  ┌────────────────────────┐
                  │      Introduction      │
                  └───────────┬────────────┘
                              │
             ┌────────────────┴────────────────┐
             ▼                                 ▼
   ┌──────────────────┐              ┌──────────────────┐
   │     FRAME #1     │              │     FRAME #2     │
   │  (By Attribute)  │              │    (By Subject)  │
   ├──────────────────┤              ├──────────────────┤
   │ • Similarity A   │              │ • Subject 1      │
   │ • Similarity B   │              │   (All aspects)  │
   │ • Difference X   │              │ • Subject 2      │
   │ • Difference Y   │              │   (All aspects)  │
   └─────────┬────────┘              └─────────┬────────┘
             │                                 │
             └────────────────┬────────────────┘
                              ▼
                  ┌────────────────────────┐
                  │       Conclusion       │
                  │ "What comparison shows"│
                  └────────────────────────┘
  • How it works: You can organise this in two ways. Frame #1 groups your writing by attribute (two paragraphs on similarities, followed by two paragraphs on differences). Frame #2 groups your writing by subject (all about Subject 1, followed by all about Subject 2, using identical criteria).
  • The Challenge: This requires deep pattern recognition. You must look beyond the obvious to discover subtle parallels and contrasts. Your conclusion shouldn't just list your findings; it must answer "what the comparison shows" by re-assessing your content to deliver a final judgment. Your choice of frame depends entirely on the logic of your ideas and the impact you want to have on your reader.

3. The Triad Frame (Handling Three Concepts)

When you introduce a third major idea, the relationships become much more complex. This model uses a methodical, three-way analysis to control and map out your thoughts.

                        [ Introduction ]
                               │
                               ▼
                        [ Segment A ]
                     (Shared by ALL three)
                               │
             ┌─────────────────┴─────────────────┐
             ▼                                   ▼
       [ Segment B ]                       [ Segment C ]
(Shared by TWO concepts only)          (Unique CONTRASTS to others)
  • B1 (Concept X + Y)                   • C1 (Concept X alone)
  • B2 (Concept Y + Z)                   • C2 (Concept Y alone)
  • B3 (Concept Z + X)                   • C3 (Concept Z alone)
             │                                   │
             └─────────────────┬─────────────────┘
                               ▼
                        [ Conclusion ]
                         "So what?"
  • How it works: Using a Venn diagram mindset, you break your analysis into three distinct sections: A (what all three concepts have in common), B (what pairs of concepts share), and C (the unique traits that contrast each concept from the other two).
  • The Challenge: This sophisticated, 11-paragraph framework demands complex value judgments. You must distinguish between "distinctions" (subtle shifts in meaning) and "differences" (fundamental contrasts). If your ideas outgrow the frame, break your sections into further sub-paragraphs. The ultimate goal is to answer the final question in your conclusion: "So what?" Answering this pushes you past mechanical sorting and into making a committed personal statement.
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