Ways We Use Essay Structure

To discuss the structure of an essay, we will discuss four major components: the title; the introduction and thesis; the body paragraphs and topic sentences; and the conclusion.

 

The construction of an essay is like the construction of a paragraph, discussed in Unit 4. Remember the image of the hamburger?

 

To create this sandwich, you need a recipe (outline), the top bun (topic sentence), the hamburger and condiments (supporting sentences), and the bottom bun (conclusion). A tasty sandwich depends on having all of the ingredients in the correct order.  

Let's consider the way you create a paragraph:

  • A topic sentence guides the focus of your paragraph.

     

  • The supporting sentences develop the idea fully.

     

  • The conclusion ties it all together.

 

In an essay, we have much the same process:

  • A thesis serves much the same role as the topic sentence in a paragraph.
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  • You use supporting paragraphs to prove your thesis.
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  • Then you tie it all together with your final paragraph -- the conclusion.

 

In creating a paragraph, we have this process: a topic sentence guides the focus of the paragraph; the supporting sentences develop the idea fully; and the conclusion ties it all together. In an essay, a thesis serves much the same role as the topic sentence in a paragraph. It is your guiding idea, your point, or your direction. You need to prove this statement throughout the course of the essay itself. You will be using supporting paragraphs to flesh out the essay. Then you will tie it all together with your final paragraph -- the conclusion.

 


 

In a traditional academic essay, the paragraphs serve specific roles. We will use the five-paragraph essay as a model for how this works:

 Essay Sandwich

 

 

Paragraph 1: Introduction paragraph (often includes a thesis statement) 

Paragraph 2: Body paragraph (the topic sentence in the supporting point of the thesis)  

Paragraph 3: Body paragraph (another topic sentence in the supporting point of the thesis) 

 

Paragraph 4: Body paragraph (another topic sentence is the supporting point of the thesis)

 

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

 

 

 

 

 

Here is an example of a five-paragraph essay. (Use the controls within the frame to scroll through the essay, increase/decrease the font size, or even print out a copy.)

 

 

 

In academic contexts this structure is often the same, though the "pattern" shifts:   your introduction may be more than one paragraph, and your thesis may come after the first paragraph, even toward the end of the essay in some disciplines; each supporting idea or topic may govern more than one paragraph; your conclusion will sum up the writing, may capture research findings, or may pose more questions.   Nonetheless, essays have an introduction, body sections, and a conclusion.   This concept rarely changes.  

 

Even in other forms of academic writing, such as technical reports, there is a short opening, maybe only a sentence; headings and support details; and a concluding statement.   There are fairly clear beginnings, middles, and ends.

 


 

Let's look at what is traditionally involved in each of these components:

 

Title

A title connects with the content of the essay and presents an idea that will capture the audience's interest.   A title may be very straightforward, in the case of titles for scientific papers, or more clever or subtle, as is the case with narrative essays or creative writing.

 

Introduction

This paragraph or section usually contains three key components:

1.   An attention-getting hook

2.   Background information

3.   A thesis

 

The Attention-Getting Hook

First, you need a statement in the opening that gets the reader's attention.   This should open the essay and be clearly related to content, designed to grab the reader's interest.   Sometimes this is a statistic, or a probing question, or a controversial statement.  

 

Background Information

This attention-getting hook is followed by information that helps the reader understand the background or context for the essay.

 

Thesis

Finally, the thesis statement sets the direction of the essay by providing the point on which you will inform or argue.   It is clear and focused.   If the thesis is not focused and specific, the essay itself will often lack structure or internal continuity.

 

A good thesis statement presents the central idea of your writing. It may suggest a dominant impression you have of the subject or it may present your interpretation of something.   It may present an opinion or a particular point of analysis. In any case, the thesis should limit the focus of the essay, state your perspective, and give direction. The thesis does not need to list the details of your points; rather, it provides guidelines and/or an overview.  

 

Your first draft of your thesis statement probably won't be your last. You may revise it after you are done writing your paper to make sure it matches the content and is accurately focused.

 

Some common advice in writing a thesis, your paper, and the conclusion is as follows:

 

However, this is not necessarily "an exact science."   You want to preview but not sound repetitive as you weave all components together:  the intro and thesis, the body, and the conclusion. Let's examine some common "pitfalls" in writing a thesis statement.

 

COMMON THESIS PITFALLS

Original Thesis

Revised Thesis

Too Broad

Focused

Schools in the United States should consider how much sugar they serve in their lunches.

Elementary schools in rural Alaska should reduce the amount of sugar they serve in their hot lunches.

Not Arguable

Arguable

Elementary, middle, and high schools serve a hot lunch to their students.

High schools should serve an affordable hot lunch that consists of whole wheat, one fruit, and at least two vegetable options.

Not Clear

Clear & Direct

Too many students eat lunches at schools that should be better.

Schools in rural Alaska should provide students with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options for their lunches.

 

Body

The body of the essay should support the thesis, making points that "back up" what you are claiming.   Each section should be cohesive and fully developed, according to the principles we learned for writing solid paragraphs.   You can draw on rhetorical modes, such as narration or persuasion, to develop content in these paragraphs.

 

Conclusion

The concluding paragraph should help "close" the essay.  It should sum up the main points of what has been discussed and revisit your thesis statement, though not usually word for word.  

 

Now let's take another look at that five-paragraph essay from above and examine it more closely for the essay components we have just discussed.

 

Use the controls within the frame to scroll through the essay,

increase/decrease the font size, or even print out a copy.

 


Self Check Activity

 

Let's check your understanding of the use of structure in an essay. 

 

 Open/Close Self Check Activity    

 

  

Click here to go to the review section for Module 1: The Structure of an Essay.