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Essay Structure Defined
Essay Structure Defined
The ability to produce a well-written essay at a professional level is vital for presenting a topic, convincing an audience of an argument, and maintaining respect as an author. A well-written essay has a clear topic with organized evidence presented coherently and convincingly.
While every essay contains an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion, the successful incorporation of the author's ideas and arguments into this overall structure produces a truly effective essay. This organization and incorporation of ideas is called essay structure. With a robust and intentional essay structure, the topic of the essay becomes clear and the thesis is strongly argued. The ability to strengthen an argument and help the reader comprehend the evidence presented will produce a more effective essay.
The Importance of Essay Structure
The Importance of Essay Structure
As mentioned above, the most practical way to improve essay structure is to use an essay outline. Outlining during the prewriting process is “extremely pivotal to have good idea quality development” (Salija 11). Drawing from an experimental study on the effects of outline use in student writing, Kisman Salija argues that “idea development quality of students’ composition if using an outline is significantly different from the quality of composition without using an outline” (Salija 17). This pattern extends to all forms of argumentation and communication. For instance, a study on renewable energy conducted by Anwar Khan et al. which clearly outlines an introduction, three main body section (“Critics on past literature,” “Data and methods,” and “Empirical results and discussions”) and a conclusion and implications section (Khan et al. 479–488). At the highest level, clear essay structure is still a dominant factor in determining the efficacy of communication. Within higher education, mastering the art of essay composition stands as a foundational pillar of success for college students.
Essay Outline
Essay Outline
One method of incorporating structure into an essay is with the use of an outline. In an outline, the essay is divided into separate paragraphs, and then within these paragraphs, key points and ideas are organized. Within an outline, a paragraph typically consists of the topic sentence, specific points, evidence, analysis, and argument. When the essay is deconstructed in this form, the task of connecting ideas and evidence to the main topic of the essay becomes much simpler.
Utilizing an outline allows the writer to stay connected to the main topic or argument and provides a roadmap to follow for the entirety of the writing process. Additionally, an outline can greatly decrease the amount of time spent planning an essay which would be useful for a busy student. Although the planning may seem counterproductive to fragment an essay into simpler ideas, recognizing and giving attention to all elements in an essay ultimately produces a more comprehensible and persuasive essay.
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction Outline Example
Introduction Outline Example
Essay Topic Sentence - Genetic modification, the deliberate alteration of an individual’s genetic material to achieve specific traits or outcomes, raises ethical issues and controversy, as well as the potential for destructive misuse.
Specific Point 1 - Gene editing technologies that allow scientists to modify or edit specific genes can correct genetic disorders which can lead to the end of suffering and diseases.
Specific Point 2 - Gene editing technologies can enhance or change certain traits and features.
Specific Point 3 - Germline genetic modification makes changes to the DNA of reproductive cells or early-stage embryos, making them heritable to future generations.
Concrete examples to be examined - The concrete examples being examined are Crispr-Cas9 and the isolation of IGF-1.
Thesis Statement - This essay will present the argument that genetic modification, the deliberate alteration of an individual’s genetic material to achieve certain traits or outcomes, is ethically complex and has the potential for destructive misuse, but also has the potential to be used as a tool to improve a person’s wellbeing.
Introduction Analysis
Introduction Analysis
An introduction paragraph gives enough background information on the essay topic to provide sufficient context to understand the argument or main topic. The topic sentence hooks the reader while introducing the topic of the essay. Then, the listing of specific points to be addressed in the essay allows the writer to focus on the three main points that will be utilized to make the essay’s argument. Finally, the thesis statement clearly states what the argument of the essay is and broadly summarizes why that argument is being made.
Topic Sentence:
Introduces the topic of the essay that will be analyzed.
Provides the reader with a general idea of the topic.
Grabs readers attention.
Often begins with a broad view of the topic that will be used to establish the specific argument the writer will make.
Specific Points:
The specific arguments the author will prove or argue.
Outlines what the body paragraphs will focus on, providing structure.
Preview the argument made in the essay.
Evidence to be Examined:
Includes concrete examples that will be analyzed in the body paragraphs.
Evidence should be relevant to the main argument and help the reader understand how the evidence is related to the overall topic of the essay.
Evidence should support specific points made and thesis.
Can be used to compel the reader to support the argument.
Thesis Statement:
Presents the claims and arguments of the essay.
Directly informs the reader of what is being argued or the topic being examined in the essay.
Avoid broad or general statements.
Helps the reader understand the main argument of the essay and the significance of the argument.
Body Paragraphs
Body Paragraphs
Body Paragraph Outline Example
Body Paragraph Outline Example
Topic Sentence - Gene editing technologies can allow scientists to manipulate specific DNA sequences that result in enhancing certain traits in humans.
Specific Points- Scientists discovered new ways to combat muscle aging and dystrophy. If the research can be applied to humans and athletes, those athletes can achieve an unfair advantage. If muscles are strengthened by IGF-1, the increase can lead to cancer and cardiac problems. Gene doping can become unethical or used as a tool. Consider if gene doping is a safer alternative to steroids.
Evidence - Green, Ronald M. “Babies by Design: The Ethics Of Genetic Choice .” JSTOR, Yale UP, 2007, www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1nqbdf.
Examples - H. Lee Sweeny conducted research that isolated the DNA that creates IGF-1 (insulin growth factor 1) the naturally occurring substance that is responsible for the growth of muscle tissue. When isolated and inserted into a group of harmless viruses that can infect the muscle tissues and multiply, the results are bigger muscles, and the muscles do not become weaker with age. In another experiment at Harvard, Nadia Rosenthal, altered gene sequence in early-stage mouse embryos that created mice produced more IGF-1 throughout their skeletal muscles. This resulted in super strong rodents.
Analysis - Research has discovered ways to potentially prolong muscle aging and allow humans to enhance the strength of their muscles with gene therapy instead of training and diet. Sweeny’s and Rosenthal’s research proved this to be possible using viral vectors or by direct modification of the embryo’s genes. Some humans are naturally born with genes that give them outstanding natural abilities such as a higher percentage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells.
Paragraph argument - The utilization of gene doping and gene therapy has undermined the principles of fairness and justice in competitive sports. If used by athletes, to enhance athletic performance, hard work and passion are neglected and forgotten. There would be no stopping the extent people would go to enhance themselves to improve their performance which could become dangerous. If abused, the results of gene doping could be used for more unethical purposes other than athletics. With the discovery of how to prolong aging in muscles, gene doping can potentially be dangerous for the finite aspect of human lives.
Body Paragraph Analysis
Body Paragraph Analysis
Each body paragraph in an essay should be one aspect of the main topic that includes supporting analysis and evidence of the main topic or argument. The paragraphs should work in conjunction with each other to prove the validity of the main idea. Every paragraph should be focused on one of the specific points mentioned in the introduction, providing an in-depth analysis with evidence to support each point.
Topic Sentence:
Introduces the topic of the paragraph and relates to the thesis.
Specific points from the introduction can be reused as the topic sentence.
Specific Points:
Elaborate and explain the idea introduced in the topic sentence.
Introduces evidence being used later in the paragraph.
Evidence:
Supporting evidence of argument being made.
Support/evidence/data/statistics/ that establish the credibility of the argument.
Conceptual evidence.
Examples:
Concrete examples from the source.
Analysis:
Analyze the evidence used and establish what the evidence proves.
Explain how the evidence is correlated with the main argument or topic of the essay stated in the thesis.
Provides the reader with an explanation and breakdown of the evidence.
Paragraph Argument:
The overall argument the paragraph analyzes.
The argument the evidence proves or supports.
Wraps up the paragraph and connects back to the thesis statement.
General Paragraph Structure
General Paragraph Structure
In a paragraph, there should be:
One idea or point.
A specific and intentional structure.
At minimum, 6-8 sentences and 250-300 words.
A trend towards newer information as the paragraph progresses.
A consistency in length compared to other paragraphs in the essay.
A logical and clear progression in the overall structure.
In a sentence, there should be:
One idea or point.
A specific and intentional structure.
15-20 words.
A trend towards more important information at the end of the sentence.
Consistent grammatical structure, i.e. parallelism.
An effort to avoid starting the sentence with an indefinite pronoun or subject. A specific subject should be provided as early in the sentence as possible.
Eric Hayot's Uneven-U Structure
Eric Hayot's Uneven-U Structure
A useful framework for encouraging proper paragraph structure is the Uneven-U Model, created by Eric Hayot. In this model, sentences are categorized into five levels of meaning (Hayot 60):
5 - Sentence is abstract and general; ideas are oriented toward a solution or a conclusion.
4 - Sentence is less general; ideas are oriented toward a problem and pull ideas together.
3 - Sentence is a conceptual summary; ideas draw together two or more pieces of evidence, or introduce a broad example.
2 - Sentence is a description, a plain or interpretive summary, or an establishing shot.
1 - Sentence is evidentiary; ideas are concrete and include raw, unmediated data or information.
An ideal Uneven-U paragraph begins with a level 4 sentence, a general, comprehensive overview of the paragraph topic. As the paragraph is developed, sentences decrease in levels of meaning, down to level 1 sentences that include direct evidence such as raw data, concrete examples, or direct quotes. Level 1 sentences are supported by level 2 and level 3 sentences, and the paragraph builds to a close with a level 5 sentence that summarizes and concludes the paragraph argument. The final level 5 sentence should draw together ideas and present the major claim of the paragraph that contributes to the argument of the essay as a whole.
By utilizing the Uneven-U structure, sentences are intentionally designed to support and flow from one another, and the main claim of the paragraph is emphasized. Paragraphs are kept relatively consistent in length and overall structure, and each paragraph clearly advances and maintains the essay thesis.
Paragraph Example
Paragraph Example
[Sentence level 4] Genetically modified organisms are frequently misrepresented in the public sphere, where perceptions are shaped by a myriad of sources with varied interests and perspectives. [3, 2] While a considerable amount of misinformation permeates public discourse, the widely-accepted consensus within the scientific community affirms the safety and viability of GMO technology (Nicolia et al. 84). [1] There is no such consensus among the general public, due to the way the media represents GMOs to the average consumer. [1] Vera Ventura et al. found that in Italy, the agri-food sector “is strongly oriented towards offering a negative representation of genetically modified organisms,” noting that in Italian media the “negative information about GMOs is only marginally balanced with information promoting this technology” (547, 559). [1, 2] Through a cross-national analysis of media coverage, John C. Pollock et al. revealed that “media coverage of GMOs worldwide is robustly associated with [a] … pattern in which media mirror the interests of marginal groups,” indicating a bias in reporting (590–591). [3, 4] Reporting such as this does not align with the research conducted or being conducted on genetically modified organisms, and can mislead the public. [5] A growing disconnect between scientific research and public perception of genetically modified organisms emphasizes the need for ethical documentation in public communication.
Fig. 1. Eric Hayot, "The Uneven U"
Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion structure
Conclusion structure
Essay topic revisited - Gene modification technologies can be a potential threat to society if exploited in threatening ways.
Paragraph argument claims revisited - Genetic engineering and therapies can jeopardize core values of the natural order of the genetic code and competition in athletics. However, if used in a beneficial way, gene editing has the potential to be a lifesaving technology.
Final argument claim (hint: revised thesis) - Ultimately, the possible effects of this technology rely on the ones utilizing it.
Conclusion Analysis
Conclusion Analysis
The concluding paragraph of an essay is an important piece of closure for a reader reminding them of the essay's purpose. The main topic and argument are revisited to reinforce the essay topic and ensure the audience has a clear understanding. Then the paragraph claims are reviewed to emphasize their importance and give a final appeal to persuade the reader to the side of your argument. Finally, the thesis is restated in a new way to tie the entire essay together. restating the thesis can advocate a course of action, or a solution to a proposed issue, and will leave a strong impression on the reader.
Essay topic revisited:
An overview of the essay.
Evokes the essay's purpose.
Paragraph argument claims revisited:
The final attempt at persuading the audience.
Emphasize the importance of your claims.
Final argument claim:
Restate the thesis.
Leave a strong impression on the reader about your topic.
Useful Transition Words
Useful Transition Words
Works Cited
Hayot, Eric. The Elements of Academic Style: Writing for the Humanities. Columbia UP, 2014.
Khan, Anwar, et al. “Impact of Technological Innovation, Financial Development and Foreign Direct Investment on Renewable Energy,
Non-Renewable Energy and the Environment in Belt & Road Initiative Countries.” Renewable Energy, vol. 171, 2021, pp. 479–
491.
Salija, Kisman. “The Effect of Using Outlines on Idea Development Quality of Students Essay Writings.” International Journal of Language
Education, vol. 1, no. 1, 29 Mar. 2017, pp. 11–19.
"Transitions: Transitions Between Paragraphs." Birmingham Young University Idaho Resource Center,
https://content.byui.edu/file/b8b83119-9acc-4a7b-bc84-efacf9043998/1/Writing-1-6-9.html. Accessed 5 December 2023.
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