How do I structure a good essay?

When writing an essay you are trying to show the reader that you have a wide range of knowledge on the topic. The general structure of an essay is: an introduction that explains your argument and gives some background to what you are going to be talking about, 3-4 main body paragraphs in which you give your main points (roughly two for your argument and two against), and finally a conclusion in which you draw all your points together and state your final judgement. Throughout the essay it is important to make sure you are answering the question directly. In the introduction it is good to try and rephrase the question into an answer, making it clear to the examiner that you know what you are talking about. To make sure that your paragraphs are answering the question link each concluding sentence back to the question. In terms of ordering your points, put your weakest point 'for' your argument first, then a point 'against' your argument, then your strongest point 'for' your argument and then another point 'against' it. With each 'against' point you should conclude by showing how your argument is still right, for example 'despite this, x is still a stronger reason for y'. It is important to remember not to introduce any new ideas in the conclusion. The conclusion should be specifically answering the question by drawing all your points together - prove to the reader that you know what you are talking about and that you have answered the question.