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Essay writing is a rather thoughtful process. Each aspect of the text has its own requirements, which must be fulfilled without fail. Otherwise, the result may be much worse than expected. The same rules apply to essay structure. Compliance with the rules and understanding which method is better to apply in a particular case is the first step to success. If you are wondering “Who could edit my essay,” you can contact the EssayEdge service. The company offers experienced experts who will improve your writing.
Table of Contents:
What is the Structure of an Essay?
An essay format helps determine the topic and its argument itself. Luckily, all the functions of the sections are already, in fact, spelled out. Often the paper consists of three main parts:
- Introduction
The introduction should introduce the topic in such a way that the reader wants to know what is next. Often, those who read a paper manage to conclude the first paragraph of your writing. It creates a first impression that will be further hard to change. Therefore, setting a good start in the text is very important.
The introduction should give the thesis statement, as well as provide the reader with a background of the idea itself. It is also essential that you have absolute confidence in it. It means that the introduction should not contain words like: «possibly,» «probably,» or «most likely.»
- Body
The principal part of the text must accomplish the task of giving arguments and analyzing the presented idea. It is also essential to provide evidence in the form of citations, for example. The main feature is that there should be only one main idea in one paragraph.
If you are not certain whether to include a paragraph in your text, you should return to the thesis. If your idea does not relate to the thesis or does not support it, it is worth discarding this idea.
- Conclusion
The conclusion should tie together all the main points of your essay. It is the result that proves the truthfulness or falsity of the initial thesis. By linking all the ideas together, you show the importance of the arguments provided.
How many paragraphs should an essay have?
At school, you were probably already taught how to write and format a college essay, arguing that five paragraphs are a strict condition. However, when it comes to college text, that number can change. That is why you should consider five paragraphs as the minimum number. For more specific information, you should contact your professor.
How to Make an Essay Structure Functional?
Any writing, even the smallest one, has its function: to present, analyze, and prove. That is how your paper exists: everything starts with an introduction. Then we move on to the essential part, where we analyze or prove our point of view. We can also criticize ideas we do not like, but the main thing is to justify our choice. It is necessary to conclude by summing up our thoughts.
You better ask yourself a few questions to understand how to structure an essay that will determine the connecting thread between the sections of your text.
«What?»
Frequently the answer to the question «what?» is in the very first paragraph of your paper. It presents the subject in a way that is understandable to the user.
«How?»
Sometimes the answer can be in the first paragraph too. You can provide a background, which will be the key. In any case, the question «What?» and «How?» should take up about one-third of your essay.
«Why?»
It is the essential part. When explaining what and how you should give the reader answers to questions they may ask themselves when reading your text. You must explain why your words are important and what they mean. This question also prompts us to go deeper and give more powerful context.
Even though «why?» is the principal part of the text, its main points should be described in the final one. By summarizing your reasons, you make the essay complete.
Essay Structure Types
There are several types of essay formats when it comes to writing. Sometimes the task will require you to use one type or another in your text. One way or another, each type of structure is created for a reason and has strengths and weaknesses. You should consult with your teacher if you hesitate about which type to use.
Chronological
The chronological type of structure is widely used in essays. It is because the reader is led through a series of events in order. Inconsistency can be misleading or make you lose the main thread of the discussion.
An applicant can use chronological type when they write about:
- Current or historical events
- Processes or procedures
- Books or articles
After presenting your idea, you should take turns presenting your arguments. If this is a discussion of some event, then the importance of the sequence increases significantly. In your conclusion, it is principal to talk about the event’s results, once again confirming your original idea.
Compare and contrast
A comparative essay has one purpose: to compare two ideas, concepts, novels, etc. You can decide exactly how to compare the two topics. For example, you can first dedicate a paragraph to the similarities between them. In the next one, you can talk about their differences.
Depending on your idea, you can focus on only one thing: similarities or differences. But in any case, you should stick to your thesis without deviating far from it.
Problems-methods-solution
Almost the very name of this type of structure can tell you exactly how to write such a text:
- Define the problem and announce it in the introduction.
- Suggest ways to solve this problem.
- Come to a solution that would satisfy the conditions
This structure type is more suitable for tasks where you must explore and study something. It is also a convenient structure for critiquing particular solutions, along with why it is not appropriate for a given problem.
Is Chronological Structure the best for essays?
The chronological structure seems to be the easiest and most obvious. Indeed, chronological order allows the author to tell their story while the reader observes the results. However, it is still worth considering some nuances that can spoil your text:
You may be including too much. If you start with «I was born on…» and proceed to recite your life history, you have probably included a great deal of unnecessary information.
Your writing might be boring and monotonous. The most enjoyable essays have a sense of drama, which usually requires a more creative structure. Perhaps the introductory paragraph sets up some problem, and the following details attempt to solve it. On the other hand, a chronological format seems inherently like a list.
You show less thought and effort. It is obvious to the reader when an essay has been crafted with care and insight. Chronological texts might seem too effortless if there is no authorial imprint.
You separate naturally related points. A thematically structured paper puts them together and allows them to build upon each other. Unless your life developed along thematic lines, a chronological text would sacrifice the synergy juxtaposing these points would create.
What Should You Keep in Mind When Structuring Your Essay?
- Clarity
After writing your drafts, it is principal to make sure that the essence of your message is presented clearly. All your subsequent explanations should be logical and consistent. Your main task is to make sure that your reader appreciates the idea and its arguments. - Focus
When focusing on a certain idea, you need to follow it unquestioningly. Perhaps you have written three paragraphs, each devoted to one topic, but you have not shown how each contributes to a larger point. By concentrating on the topic, you should come to a decision that can put a clear thought in the reader’s head. - Influence
Even a clear and coherent essay can fail to achieve the optimal writing structure that maximizes its overall impact. For example, the overarching theme of a paper might be your desire to help others. After outlining this focus in your first paragraph, you write three clear paragraphs, offering evidence of your willingness to help people. What is lacking is a sense of progression: the reader sees not growth but repetition.
Your text should show progress, which is not in the structure itself, but in the idea. As you write, you should gradually develop it.
Bottom Line
Writing an essay can be problematic for students because the requirements of colleges are often different from school ones. However, knowing the structure of writing helps you a lot because you already know about the foundation. Taking the first step will be much easier. Step by step, following each session, you will be able to overcome this task yourself.
