Structure Option #1: Follow the Structure of the Text

Most essays about literature are structured according to the structure of the text: beginning, middle, end. This makes it easy to ensure that each body paragraph has a unique focus: each body paragraph will focus on a different part of the text.

In the below example, each paragraph focuses on a different part of the story ("Before the party," "During the party itself," "at the very end of the party"). If I were writing a longer essay, I could have broken up the story further (beginning, first half of the party, second half of the party, end).

Each topic sentence makes an assertion about Rosaura’s interpretation of the party at that point in the story. The first paragraph argues that she thinks she is a friend; the second shows both sides, and the last paragraph focuses on her role as a maid. Note that all three paragraphs together are necessary to prove the thesis.

Thesis: In "The Stolen Party" by Liliana Heker, Rosaura misinterprets her role at the party because she believes she is a guest while being treated like a maid.

Topic Sentence #1: Before the party, despite her mother's warnings, Rosaura believes she has been invited to the party as a friend.

Topic Sentence #2: During the party itself, Rosaura's confidence in her role as a guest increases even as Señora Ines assigns her tasks that would normally be performed by a maid.

Topic Sentence #3: Rosaura finally recognizes she was invited to serve the other children at the very end of the party.

Structure Option #2: Follow the Structure of Your Thesis

If you choose this option, you'll start with the question "What sub-claims do I need to prove in order to prove my thesis?" Then you'll write a paragraph that supports each sub-claim.

In the example below, my thesis includes two sub-claims: (1) Rosaura believes she is a guest and (2) she is treated as a maid.

Thesis: In "The Stolen Party" by Liliana Heker, Rosaura misinterprets her role at the party because she believes she is a guest while being treated like a maid.

TS #1 (Sub-Claim #1): Rosaura believes she is a guest at the party.

TS #2 (Sub-Claim #2): However, even while enjoying the party, Rosaura is treated as a maid without her knowledge.

This could work, but I might want more than two body paragraphs. If that is the case, I can further divide my sub-claims (into sub-sub claims, technically). I'll develop those by asking the question "What different examples support each sub-claim?"

(It's worth noting that you'll probably end up partially following the structure of the text even if you don't mean to. In the below example, the first paragraph is about the beginning of the story and the last paragraph is about the end.)

Thesis: In "The Stolen Party" by Liliana Heker, Rosaura misinterprets her role at the party because she believes she is a guest while being treated like a maid.

TS #1 (Sub-Claim #1): When talking to her mother before the party, Rosaura is sure she will be a guest at the party.

TS #2 (Sub-Claim #1): At the party itself, Rosaura's positive interactions with the other children support her belief that she is a guest.

TS #3 (Sub-Claim #1): Not only does Rosaura enjoy the other children's company, but she is proud of how much Señora Ines seems to trust her; she is certain she is the best-behaved guest at the party.

TS #4 (Sub-Claim #2): However, even while enjoying the party, Rosaura is treated as a maid without her knowledge.

TS #5 (Sub-Claim #2): When Señora Ines tries to pay Rosaura at the end of the party, it becomes painfully clear that she has seen her as a maid all along.

Structure Option #3: Build Complexity

Essays tend to build complexity naturally: each paragraph adds a new idea that needs to be considered along with all the previous ideas. However, it's also possible to structure an essay directly around increasing levels of complexity. Basically, your first body paragraph will start with a surface-level interpretation; your second body paragraph will reveal something happening under the surface; your third body paragraph will go deeper under the surface; and so on. This structure is a challenging one because you need to identify multiple layers of complexity. 

In this example, the italicized words reframe the main idea of the previous paragraph. They all include phrases that signal a shift: "Later, though,..."; "While Señora Ines may seem..."; "Ironically,..." The bold words state the new level of complexity about to be examined.

Thesis: In "The Stolen Party" by Liliana Heker, Rosaura misinterprets her role at the party because she believes she is a guest while being treated like a maid.

TS #1: Throughout most of the story, Rosaura thinks she is having the best day of her life at Luciana’s party.

TS #2: Later, though, her favorite moments from the party take on an entirely different meaning when she realizes Señora Ines sees her as a maid.

TS #3: While Señora Ines may seem like the story’s villain, her intentions are kind; she does not mean to trick Rosaura.

TS #4: Ironically, it is Señora Ines’s kindness that leads to Rosaura’s deep disappointment.

Conclusion: Ultimately, the story serves as a warning against the dangers of prejudice and ignorance masked by kind intentions.