How do I structure essay paragraphs?

Worrying about how to structure an essay and ensure it meets all AOs is a common GCSE worry. Putting your answer into a logical structure will help you meet all the criteria and also help your argument flow. If you view the question as part of a two-step thought process, it will make it easier to understand.
Example: How does Golding present Simon as different from the other boys on the island? (William Golding, Lord of the Flies)
1) What is the question asking?The phrase "how does Golding present..." shows the question is asking specifically about writing techniques and authorial methods that Golding has used to convey the character of Simon. This means you can use key phrases such as "Golding presents Simon as different from the other boys through the use of [language device]".You should also look at the overall question and understand the context of what it is asking. This question in particular is asking how Simon as a character is different from the other boys on the island. This means you should draw on your knowledge of the novel and plot points and think of evidence to answer the question. An example is: Simon is different from the other boys because he is the only one that recognises the idea of the beast as a metaphorical ideal. Simon is different from the other boys because he behaves kindly to the younger children unlike Jack.
2) The second thing you should think about is what you need to include in each paragraph. If you're nervous you might miss something, sometimes it helps to write a checklist on the side of your exam paper and ensure you've hit each point in your paragraph. You should aim to include:* writer's method/language device* quote showing the method/device* focus on a specific part of above device (also known as 'zooming in)* present an interpretation of the device and how it answers the question* present an alternative interpretation of the device* relate this to context* link back to the question (make sure you've answered it)
Planning essay questions as part of revision is a really good way of learning and perfecting this process- practice makes perfect!