Essay Structure
Most essays have a similar structure:
1. Introduction - the place to make your first impression . You need to draw the reader's interest and lay out your main argument (often called your thesis). See "How to Write an Introduction."
2. The Body - can be one paragraph or many more! In your body paragraphs, you will prove your argument with evidence and analysis. Make sure to focus on one idea per paragraph, transition between thoughts, and make clear connections to your thesis. Transition between your various ideas!
3. Conclusion - where you pull together your paper's main ideas and make a larger connection. See "How to Write a Conclusion."
1. Introduction - the place to make your first impression . You need to draw the reader's interest and lay out your main argument (often called your thesis). See "How to Write an Introduction."
2. The Body - can be one paragraph or many more! In your body paragraphs, you will prove your argument with evidence and analysis. Make sure to focus on one idea per paragraph, transition between thoughts, and make clear connections to your thesis. Transition between your various ideas!
3. Conclusion - where you pull together your paper's main ideas and make a larger connection. See "How to Write a Conclusion."
Outlining
Outlining comes after brainstorming in the writing process. To make an outline, write your thesis at the top of your paper. Doing so will help you remember your paper's focus. After that, return to your brainstorming and try to select the main ideas that support your thesis. Each main idea will get its own Roman numeral and will be supported with evidence and analysis. See the sample for a five-paragraph essay (with MEAL paragraphs):
Sample Outline
Thesis =
I. Introduction (no need to outline this - you will write it later)
II. Body Paragraph 1 - Main Idea
A. Evidence that supports main idea
1. Analysis of evidence - How does it support main idea?
a. Last Thought/Linking Sentence - tie back to thesis and, if required, transition to next paragraph
*Note: Some teachers ask you to transition at the end of each body paragraph, and others would prefer to see the transition at the start of the next paragraph. Check with your teacher!*
III. Body Paragraph 2 - Main Idea
A. Evidence that supports main idea
1. Analysis of evidence - How does it support main idea?
a. Last Thought/Linking Sentence - tie back to thesis and, if required, transition to next paragraph
IV. Body Paragraph 3 - Main Idea
A. Evidence that supports main idea
1. Analysis of evidence - How does it support main idea?
a. Last Thought/Linking Sentence - tie back to thesis and, if required, transition to conclusion
V. Conclusion
Sample Outline
Thesis =
I. Introduction (no need to outline this - you will write it later)
II. Body Paragraph 1 - Main Idea
A. Evidence that supports main idea
1. Analysis of evidence - How does it support main idea?
a. Last Thought/Linking Sentence - tie back to thesis and, if required, transition to next paragraph
*Note: Some teachers ask you to transition at the end of each body paragraph, and others would prefer to see the transition at the start of the next paragraph. Check with your teacher!*
III. Body Paragraph 2 - Main Idea
A. Evidence that supports main idea
1. Analysis of evidence - How does it support main idea?
a. Last Thought/Linking Sentence - tie back to thesis and, if required, transition to next paragraph
IV. Body Paragraph 3 - Main Idea
A. Evidence that supports main idea
1. Analysis of evidence - How does it support main idea?
a. Last Thought/Linking Sentence - tie back to thesis and, if required, transition to conclusion
V. Conclusion
