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Structure
Structure
An essay is an extended response to a question.
All essays follow a basic structure :
- Introduction
- Body
- Conclusion
An essay requires you to answer a question, using a number of ideas and examples. The main argument of your essay is summed up in your THESIS.
Essays are written using Formal Language.
Writing an Introduction and Thesis
Writing an Introduction and Thesis
An Essay is a response to a question. The job of the introduction is to set out your answer to the question and include your main ideas that you will explore through the rest of the essay. This summary of your argument is called your thesis. Your thesis should follow this pattern:
The question (rewrite as a statement) + BECAUSE +Your topic sentences (2-3 main ideas from the text)
Use a word such as 'because', as it connects the question to your ideas/ themes. You don't have to use 'because' exactly, you can use words such as: as, through, due to, is seen when,
For example:
Question:
It is only when we are faced with challenges, that we discover our real strengths.
How is this communicated in the novel you have studied?
Introduction and thesis:
It is only when we are faced with life's challenges that we discover our true strengths and realise what we are capable of. This is explored in the novel 'Goodnight Mr Tom' through the journey of Will, as he builds positive relationships with others and receives love and care for the first time. Through experiencing the healing power of friendship and having a supportive family, Will discovers his own talents and becomes more confident about who he is and what he is capable of. This enables him to overcome the hardships he faces in his life and to have hope for a better future.
The 2 topic sentences in this introduction are the ideas/themes of
- the healing power of friendship and positive relationships
- the importance of having people who love and care for you
Body Paragraphs
Body Paragraphs
The body of the essay is where you use TEEL or TE-EL to explore your ideas. You must remember to refer back to the points/ language of the question often, and make sure you are keeping to the ideas you set out in your thesis.
Topic Sentence
Explanation
Example/ Evidence
Link
Begin a new paragraph for each new theme discussion.
Include 2-3 examples in the EL part of your discussion. Each example must be analysed for the use of language techniques and the effect of it on the meaning.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Here you need to refer back to the question and sum up your response. You can restate your thesis to help conclude your response.
Essay Vocabulary Builder
Essay Vocabulary Builder
Connectives: create cohesion through connectors!
in contrast alternatively furthermore moreover is analogous
in comparison similarly correspondingly conversely nevertheless
additionally indeed
Words to use when Comparing Ideas
like also alternatively as well as
but compared to concurrently differs from
however in contrast to in other respects in spite of this
just as greater than nevertheless not only
on the one hand on the other hand rather
similarly specifically the way that whereas
even though similar in that in both cases on the contrary
in the same way
Words to use when Contrasting Ideas
alternatively although by contrast conversely
even though however in contrast in fact
in no way similar or differs from even so
in other respects in spite of this greater than nevertheless
on the contrary on the one hand on the other hand opposing
rather unlike not only but also whereas while whilst yet
Words to use when Sequencing Ideas
after also and then as as a final point as well as as soon as
at the outset at the same time before every time first, second, third, etc
following initially in summary in the beginning lastly meanwhile
now that once on top of previously prior to subsequently up until now
finally formerly moreover
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