How do I structure an essay.

A good saying when writing essays is 'tell em what you're going to tell em, tell em, tell em what you told em'. So consider your introduction the 'tell em what you're going to tell em' part, where you set out your central argument and give them a map of how this argument will develop. I then advise giving three different arguments, two on one side and one on the other. This is the 'tell em' part. These should cover the bulk of your essay and should include analysis and historical knowledge. Finally, the conclusion should bring together your arguments thus far, your are essentially 'telling em what you told em', but adding why, in detail, how you have came to the conclusion you have. An example is: How significant was the emancipation of the serfs in 1861 to Russia’s economic growth in the years up to 1894?Intro - The abolition of serfdom was highly significant in the development of the Russian economy until 1894. Because the abolition allowed the free movement of labour within the Russian economy it was a significant factor in allowing the growth of industry in Russia; it was a prerequisite for the development of industry. However, the significance is arguably limited because it was only one aspect of a comprehensive set of reforms instituted by the tsarist regime. However, this limitation does not refute the argument that the abolition of serfdom was highly significant to Russia’s economic growth. p1 > The abolition of serfdom was highly significant because it freed up labour, no longer being bound to the land, to own their own land and to work in industry. It allowed the movement of labour within the country, and essential aspect to development. It allowed more peasants to become Kulaks, and others to eventually become industrial workers. P2 > Arguably land reform, and the failure to effectively vest private ownership of land into the newly freed serfs, alongside a lack of industrial opportunities and the imposition of internal passports restricted the economic benefits of emancipation and thus undercuts the argument that it is significant. Conclusion > Whilst land reform and internal mobility controls did restrict the ability of the peasantry to engage in a free market, and other reforms of the judiciary, instituting stronger property rights, and reforming local governance were all vital, the creation of a free labour force was a significant and essential pre-requisite to any economic development and catch-up.