What it looks like
An example from Geography.
Groynes are barriers of timber or rock built out from the beach at right angles to the shore. They trap sand carried along the coast by longshore drift, which builds up the beach.
Having shown that sea walls protect towns but are expensive to maintain, this section turns to a common alternative: groynes. Groynes are barriers of timber or rock built out from the beach at right angles to the shore. They trap sand carried along the coast by longshore drift, which builds up the beach. As the next section shows, that sand is then missing from beaches further along the coast.
Why markers write it
Markers read quickly and against criteria, and if they can’t see the shape of your argument they may miss points you’ve actually made. Signposting adds no new content — it makes the structure you already have visible. Since most UK marking criteria include structure and organisation, it’s one of the easier things to improve.
How to fix it in your next essay
- 1Give a roadmap in the introductionOne or two sentences: what the essay argues, and the order it takes.
- 2Open each paragraph with its pointThe first sentence should say what the paragraph argues, not start with a fact or a quotation.
- 3Link back and point aheadUse transitions that show the relationship, such as “by contrast”, “as a result” or “having shown…”, not just “also” or “next”.
Phrases that help
How much it costs
Structure usually counts for part of the mark in UK schemes, and poor signposting can also hide good analysis, so it often costs more than it seems.
Other ways markers say it
- “Signpost more clearly”
- “Hard to follow”
- “Unclear structure”
- “Where is this going?”
- “Needs a clearer roadmap”
Often written alongside
Common questions
- Can signposting be overdone?
- Yes. Announcing every move (“I will now discuss…”) gets repetitive. One clear sentence at each turn is enough.
- Should I use headings?
- Only if your module allows them: reports usually do, essays often don’t. Headings don’t replace signposting in the text.