Essay Writing: Structure

First Principles

• A good essay is usually an argument• Takes a stance

– Should the broadcast media be completely de-regulated?

– International aid is completely undermined by international trade agreements. Discuss.

– Women’s roles in Medieval England were subservient and focussed only on the home. Discuss.

Elements of a well structured essay

• Clear• Good use of paragraphs – key

sentence• Good use of evidence & references

Continuity

Continuity• Links between paragraphs

– Oppositions, chronological, thematic• “However, this does not take into

consideration…”• “More recent analysis suggests…”• “Other writers looking at the role of take the

view that…”• “In addition…”• “There are limitations to this model…”• “I will now demonstrate another perspective..”

Structure

Central Idea

Distinct point

Distinct point

Distinct point

Distinct point

Distinct point

Distinct point

Essay Structure Planning

Paragraph Theme Main Supporting Evidence

Linking Sentence

Paragraph Theme Main Supporting Evidence

Themes

Structure

• Thematic• For/ Against• Two sides of the coin• General to specific• Specific to general• Problem, Cause, Solution• Advocacy

Thematic Structure1 Introduction

2 First theme

8 Conclusion

4 Second theme 6 Third theme

3 First theme 5 Second theme 7 Third theme

Introduction

1 Support Argument

3 Support Argument

2 Support Argument

Conclusion

4 Counter Argument

6 Counter Argument

5 Counter Argument

Introduction

1 Support Argument

5 Support Argument

3 Support Argument

Conclusion

2 Counter Argument

4 Counter Argument

6 Counter Argument

General to SpecificIntroduction

Examine the theory

Examine the theory

Conclusion

Introduce specific case study/ situation

Examine how theory applies

Examine how theory applies

Examine how theory applies

Problem, Cause & Solution

1 Introduction

2 Identify problem

Conclusion

3 Look at causes4 Look at causes5 Look at causes

6 Solutions 8 Solutions7 Solutions

Should we go to war with Iraq?

• Arguments for • Humanitarian reasons

– Torture & murder of political opponents– Abuse of sanctions– Use of poison gas against own citizens

• Global Security– Iraq sponsors Hamas suicide bombers– Invaded Iran & Kuwait– Possesses weapons of mass destruction

• Bring democracy to region– Kurdistan - female judges, more schools,

Should we go to war with Iraq?

• Arguments against• Motives?

– For oil

• Create further instability– Evidence of western imperialism – Create anti-western sentiment amongst religious

extremists

• Moral right– Can we ever have the right to invade another sovereign

country?– Why not invade other inhumane regimes?

For Against Structure

Introduction

Humanitarian Reasons

Restore Democracy

Global Security

Conclusion

Civilian Casualties

Moral Right to invade?

Increased Terrorism?

Introduction

Humanitarian Reasons

Restore Democracy

Global Security

Conclusion

Civilian Casualties

Increased Terrorism?

Moral Right to invade?

Themed Essay1 Introduction

2 Humanitarian

8 Conclusion

4 US right toDefend itself

6 Should we intervene in

other non-democracies?3 Imposed

Democracy5 Will it cause

further instability?

7 What cost?

Moral CaseFor War

Global SecurityWorld Community

Advocacy Introduction

Anxiety re: Civilian casualties, increased terror & morality

Conclusion

However, rogue state

Hiding WMD

Links to terror

Invasion of neighbours

Humanitarian

Conclusion

• Essay = Argument• Structure ought to be way of

organising argument• Each paragraph must be

– Self-contained– Clear– Be linked together