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3. The Essay

Let's look at the basic essay structure:

1.  Introduction
    • Context sentence (This sentence will briefly introduce the topic of your essay.)
    • Thesis statement.
    • Outline of the key points you will use within your essay to prove your thesis.
    • NB  Introductions can be inductive or deductive.  In other words, you might like to start or finish with your thesis.
    • The second paragraph of your introduction will define key terms and might need to give the context of your essay/topic in greater detail.
2.  Body
    • Key point 1:
      • Introduce your key point and link it to what has gone before.
      • Clarify this key point by including detail and research.
      • Analyse the key point in relation to your thesis.  (What have you proven? Why is this point relevant to your thesis/topic?)
    • Key point 2:
      • Repeat as above.
    • Include as many key points as you need.

3.  Conclusion

    • Synthesis/evaluation paragraph:
      • Focus just on the analysis sections from each of your key points.
      • Identify any overarching synthesis or evaluation of these key points in relation to what they prove (i.e. your thesis).
      • Ask yourself, how do these points join together to prove your thesis.  This will require some deep thinking and time.
    • Summary paragraph:
      • Linking sentence.
      • Thesis statement.
      • Outline of the key points you used within your essay to prove your thesis
      • Conclusions can be inductive or deductive.  In other words, you might like to start or finish with your thesis.  (Notice how similar this is to your introduction?)

Cognitive prompts for analysis OR ways to make yourself analyse:

  • Ask yourself ‘so what?’ after you make a statement.
  • Ask yourself ‘why?’ after you make a statement.
  • Focus on ‘because’ when extending your points.

A visual way of thinking about essay structure:





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