How is an essay structured?
In order for your essay to be convincing and make sense, it needs to be presented inside a well structured piece of writing. How do you do this within the framework of an essay's general structure ofIntroduction, Body, Conclusion? Firstly, you need to be clear about what elements you should include within these three sections of an essay. The table below outlines these elements.
Introduction
General statement or orientation to topic
Thesis statement
Brief summary of the main topics/arguments/points made in the essay
Body paragraphs
1. Topic sentence A
1. supporting sentence
2. supporting sentence
3. supporting sentence
2. Topic sentence B
1. supporting sentence
2. supporting sentence
3. supporting sentence
3. Topic sentence C
1. supporting sentence
2. supporting sentence
3. supporting sentence
These sentences support, expand or explain the point made in the topic sentence
Conclusion
Restatement or summary of the main points made in the body paragraphs and a final comment (if appropriate)
You also need to be clear about the function of each of these essay sections.
The introduction of the essay
The function of the Introduction is to serve as a 'map' of the essay, outlining to your reader the main argument and points which you develop in your essay. Most introductions begin with an orientation in the form of a brief general statement that leads the reader into the topic showing how the specific topic relates to bigger issues or to the discipline field. This is followed by your thesis statement, which is your concise response to the essay question, then an outline of the argument presented in the essay. You may find it useful to think of an essay's introduction as funnel shaped moving from the general to the specific. Here is an example:
Example of an essay introduction1
Essay Question: Italy on the eve of 1860 has often been described as an unlikely nation. Why?
On the eve of 1860 the word Italy...