Using PDSC to Teach Writing > Catharina Marshall, Professor Communications

The Point‐Define‐Support‐Conclude or PDSC approach to writing may evoke an “Aha! Moment” for your students whether they apply it to their discussion board responses or project essays. Here’s the PDSC approach explained in such a way that you can pass this on to your students.

POINT ‐ begin with a clearly stated central point (a thesis statement).

DEFINE ‐ provide definitions of terms and explanations of principles or theories.

SUPPORT ‐ provide logical, detailed support from the readings for the central point.

CONCLUDE ‐ provide a summary, recommendation, and concluding thought (B. Stewart‐Grosse, personal communication, September 1994).

STEP ONE: POINT

• A significant, clearly stated and concise central point should guide each assignment.
• The central point is the main idea and the point of view that the rest of the entry will support and discuss.
• State the central point that will be developed in the assignment.
• Provide a preview of the major points that will support the central point.

STEP TWO: DEFINE

• Supply any background information your readers need to understand the point(s) you are making.
• Assume that your readers are not familiar with the course material you are presenting.
• Define terms/principles/theories using references from the course/text.
  

STEP THREE: SUPPORT

• Keep in mind that your readers may not understand or agree with your position. As they process your writing, they will continually ask, "Why?" Provide the reader with the basis for understanding the point you are making. And you should not expect your readers to take your views on faith. Any idea that you advance must be supported with specific reasons and details.
• Details serve as support and give the evidence needed for the reader/listener to see and understand general course ideas. In general, supporting details include facts, examples, statistics, and testimonials.
• Provide enough detail to fully support the point being made, such as examples or an extended definitionor description. Without support, your assignment will be underdeveloped.
• Clear reasoning supports your points by relating the specific details to the appropriate terms/principles/theories. Be sure the details you present relate to and actually support your point or the principles/ definitions you are using. Your reader/ listener should never have to ask: "What does this have to do with your point?"
  

STEP FOUR: CONCLUDE

• Summarize your support and reinforce the central point by briefly restating the central idea and sometimes the main supporting details.
• Present a concluding thought about the topic of the assignment. 

This approach has worked for me in both my own writing as well as my teaching. I hope you will find a way to incorporate it into your own assignments so that students have some direction when composing assignments for your classes.

[This article was originally published in our August, 2009 issue.]