This is the first of a series of articles that will explain, in some detail, exactly how to structure an essay. The content of a good introduction and of a good conclusion will be explored within this series, as will the structure both of the individual paragraphs within an essay, and of the essay as a whole.
The structure that will be described is suitable for almost any examination or coursework essay that is likely to confront pupils or students of ages 16 and above, whether at school or at university. It is designed to be easy to teach, easy to learn, easy to put into practice, and easy for an examiner to follow.
The simple rules that will be laid down are based on comments made on A-level essays by experienced examiners, advice given by leading academics in several different fields, and on my own experiences as an extremely successful and relatively recent examination candidate.
Why is a good grasp of essay structure so important? Shouldn’t it be a personal thing? Doesn’t it just boil down to beginning-middle-end?
Examinations are almost always taken under extreme time-pressure, and are usually extremely stressful. If the candidate is used to employing a single, extremely simple, yet highly effective structure, then that is one less thing that he or she needs to think about. All of that saved time and effort can then be poured into recalling facts and developing a powerful and detailed argument.
The use of a consistent structure also means that there is one less thing that can go wrong. Many ideas that appear to be moments of genius during an exam turn out to be serious errors. This way, at least the structure will be solid.
Most importantly, an essay written using this structure will be an essay than an examiner will find easy to mark. Examiners have a vast workload, and often neglect to read essays thoroughly. This structure, if correctly employed, will ensure that every point of note will be picked up and fully credited by the examiner.
In order to fully benefit from using this structure, regular practice is recommended. By the time of the exam, writing a well-structured essay should be second-nature, leaving the mind free to concentrate on those challenges that are unique to each individual subject, paper, and question.