STRUCTURE YOUR ESSAY

STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Explore the structure of an academic essay

Start

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STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Index

INTRODUCTION

MAIN BODY

CONCLUSION

STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Introduction

Goal

The introduction of an academic essay serves as the opening paragraph that provides an overview of the topic and sets the tone for the entire essay

STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Introduction

Composition

1. A brief explanation of the context of the topic
2. An outline of the topic as you understand it
3. An explanation of how you plan to address the topic in this particular text – in effect, a statement of intent.

STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Introduction

Advice

• This is the first contact that your reader makes with you as the author of the text. Avoid jargon or technical words as far as possible.
• It has to be well organised and clear.
• However, to achieve this it is important to see the introductory section as ‘work in progress’. It is generally a good idea to go back to your Introduction and consider re-writing once you have finished your conclusion.

STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Introduction

Advice

• This is the first contact that your reader makes with you as the author of the text. Avoid jargon or technical words as far as possible.
• It has to be well organised and clear.
• However, to achieve this it is important to see the introductory section as ‘work in progress’. It is generally a good idea to go back to your Introduction and consider re-writing once you have finished your conclusion.

STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Introduction - Composition

GENERAL SENTENCE

SPECIFIC

OUTLINE OF MAIN POINTS

THESIS STATEMENT

Introduce the general topic / background

What is the main topic / information based on this topic / definition

Should include the question and the key topics of your argument. It must include your stance / opinion

What is the general structure and suggestion

STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Main body

Goal

The body, also known as the central claim or thesis, forms the backbone of the academic essay. It represents the primary point the essay seeks to prove or support through evidence, reasoning, and analysis.

STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Main body - Composition

TOPIC SENTENCE

ARGUMENTS

SUMMARY

TRANSITIONS

Key topic in the paragraph

For each idea : Development : discussed in detail Example : Support, evidence, data, statistic = show the development is credible / valid Academic references

Overall main points are summarized

Link the ideas between them using signposting language

STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Main body

Advice

• It lays out your work based on the analysis of the evaluation grid
• You will have explained the approach in the introduction
• You should have mapped out your route for explaining your points in your plan
• The body can contain as many paragraph as necessary to meet the requirement and address the essay question
• 1 main topic = 1 paragraph = focus on a single point

STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Conclusion

Goal

This summarises the whole piece of work

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STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Conclusion - Composition

RESTATE YOUR STANCE

FINAL COMMENT

SUMMARY MAIN POINTS

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STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Conclusion

Composition

• A restatement of the question or task and what you feel are the most important features of the topic
• A summary of the specific evidence that you have presented in support of your views
• A statement of your overall viewpoint on the topic

MORE INFO ABOUT FEATURES

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Features of an academic writing

Structured

Formal

Evidenced

Objective

Critical

Balanced

Precise

STRUCTURING AN ESSAY

Conclusion

Advice

• You will be writing about the detail of the content
• You cas use technical or more sophisticated language because you will have introduced this in the main body.
• You should avoid introducing new ideas in the conclusion that have not already been discussed in the earlier part of the assignment.

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