How do I structure an effective essay, for example for Lord of the Flies?

To answer this question, let's suggest that the essay question is 'How is human nature shown to change throughout the novel?' The best way to structure an essay is using the PEAL method: Point, Evidence, Analysis, Link. Firstly, you need to choose a point that answers the question, for example, that the boys' language changes as they move away from civilisation. Then, find some evidence in the text, e.g. the chant 'Kill the beast! Cut his throat! Spill his blood!' Then, analyse the evidence. Here, you could discuss the imperatives 'kill,' 'cut' and 'spill' and how these demonstrate that the boys are becoming wild. Alternatively, you could discuss the use of exclamation marks, which show the excitement that the boys feel for death, and compare it to the more docile language at the beginning of Golding's text. Finally, link your response back to the question. A simple sentence such as 'This demonstrates that the boys become more carnal throughout the text, as their nature changes from well behaved schoolboys to more animalistic creatures.