Discovering Structure
There isn't one correct way to organize an essay.
In fact, organizational structure emerges as you figure out the threads of your discussion and the connections between your ideas.
An effective organizational structure helps guide your reader through your paper.
> Activity: Let's compare notes
What have you been told about essay structure?
How does that advice stack up against our assertion that organizational structure develops organically as you sort out the connections between your ideas?
Myth: Essays should have 5 paragraphs
The idea that essays should have 5 paragraphs (introduction, argument 1, argument 2, argument 3, conclusion) is widespread because this is how many teachers introduce students to essay writing. This template for structuring essays can really help novice writers focus on narrowing their ideas, developing content, and writing beginner essays. Where this template begins to hinder writers rather than benefit them is when essay-writing tasks become more complex and more varied in length and style.
An 8-10 page paper cannot be only 5 paragraphs without really challenging the reader's patience!
Breaking away from the 5-paragraph template can be a bit scary. Connect with a writing tutor at the Writing Centre for support.
When should you think about structure?
A concept map can help you generate a tentative pre-writing outline for the paper.
A reverse outline will help you see the structure of a draft and recognized opportunities to reorganize and create transitions.
A final revision of your draft will help you make structure explicit for readers
... throughout the writing process.
Communicating Structure
You have a number of options for communicating structure to your reader, especially at the outset of the paper:
Statement of purpose
Research question
Thesis statement
Paper road map
For more about these elements of essays, read the developing thesis statements page.
These conventions are culturally specific!
In North America, readers tend to prefer writing that:
gets to the point quickly,
makes connections for them,
and that spoils the ending.
Elsewhere, readers may prefer writing that:
is somewhat artistic in its use of figurative language,
offers opportunities to make connections,
and that doesn’t constrain their opinion at the outset.