How do I structure an essay?

Before you begin writing…

Read widely around the question. Research the author/ playwright, historical/ political context and critical opinions on the text. This will give you an idea of your hypothesis*. When planning your essay structure, you must keep referring to this hypothesis. This should keep your writing concise and focused.

Introduction…

You may have a clearer idea of your essay’s introduction once the main body has been written. In the introduction you should state your hypothesis. Depending on the length of the essay, you might use a short critical quotation. 

Main body of essay…

The first section of your essay is a point which supports your hypothesis. You might quote from the text, analyse it and quote from a critic to reinforce your reasoning. 

In the second section, you might acknowledge a counter-point, quoting from primary source(s) and secondary sources*.

The third section might further justify your hypothesis. Once again, you should quote from primary and secondary sources and analyse them in depth. 

An essay of 1000 words might only have two points (and one brief counter-point), whilst a longer piece of 3000 words might have three or four points (and two more detailed counter- points). 

It is not quantity of points, but rather the quality and depth of discussion which is important. 

Remember that each point should follow a PEE structure (point, example, evidence). You might have several PEE paragraphs in each section of your essay.

You should always aim to convince an imaginary ‘skeptical reader’.

Remember that all sources are biased. Consider this when choosing and using quotations. 

Conclusion…

Do not introduce any new arguments or evidence in your conclusion. Instead, summarise your arguments. You might end on a relevant quotation from a primary or secondary source.

*Hypothesis: In brief, this is the idea that you will argue for in your essay. For example, your hypothesis might be "Hamlet is faking his madness".

*Primary and secondary sources: An example of a primary source might be Blood Wedding, by Federico Garcia Lorca. This is often the text on which the question is set. Examples of reliable secondary sources include critical essays, peer- reviewed journal articles, newspaper reviews and adaptations of a text.