Structuring your essay

Structuring your essay

At its most basic, an essay will follow a set structure

  1. Introduction
  2. Body of the essay
  3. Main Point 1 (as reflected in Thesis statement)
  4. Main Point 2
  5. Main Point 3
  6. Etc. …
  7. Conclusion

Structuring the body of your essay using a TREAC structure

 

T Topic Sentence - The first sentence introduces the subject of a paragraph, essentially serving as a miniature thesis statement.

R Restatement or Restriction - The second sentence can restate or restrict what was written in the first sentence, making the subject more specific.

E Evidence- This section of the paragraph consists of the examples (evidence, data, facts, quotes, etc.) that support your topic sentence. This section can contain several sentences.

A  Analysis - Here, you should explain, interpret, and contextualize the illustrations that have been made. Never leave illustrations by themselves; they are not effective without analysis.

C Conclusion - Review what the paragraph has discussed, and/or reemphasize what the illustration and analysis suggest. This closing section may also evaluate the connections you've made in your paragraph and logically lead into next section.

 

A topic sentence:

  • Comes at the beginning of a paragraph
  • Presents the most important point you want to make in that paragraph, in the same order as your overall thesis statement
  • Uses terms found in the question
  • Acts as a signpost to the reader to indicate direction of essay

Use Compelling Evidence to Support Your Topic Sentence

  • Supporting points are examples or pieces of evidence that support the claim you have made in your topic sentence.
  • They can be:
    • Facts
    • Examples
    • Quotes/Paraphrases/Summaries of scholarly texts
    • Observations
    • Statistics

 

Analyse the evidence you have included

  • Without analysis your argument is not complete, it is just a list of examples
  • Analysis can include:
    • Highlighting the importance of the evidence
    • Critically assessing the sources you have used
    • Comparing or contrasting evidence
    • Highlighting the cause and effect of evidence

 

Strategies for writing a Conclusion

(based on adapted from http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/conclude.html)
A conclusion should

  • stress the importance of the thesis statement, give the essay a sense of completeness, and leave a final impression on the reader. It is not the place for new evidence.
  • Answer the question "So What?”: Show your reader the essay was meaningful.
  • Synthesize, don't summarize:  Don't simply repeat things that were in your paper. Show how the points you made and the support and examples you used were not random, but fit together.
  • Echo the introduction: bring the reader full-circle. If you begin by describing a scenario, you can end with the same scenario as proof that your essay was helpful in creating a new understanding.
  • Pose a challenge: Highlight how this content of your essay might challenge our lives, churches etc. This can encourage a new perspective on the topic. It may also bring your main ideas together to create a new meaning.

 

Writing the Rough Draft

  • Now that you have a thesis and outline, you may begin writing your rough draft.
  • As you write this rough draft, keep the following strategies in mind:
  • Organise information in your body paragraphs
  • Hook the reader in the introduction
  • Keep your paper coherent with transition words and sentences
  • Wrap up your paper with a strong closing
  • Utilize academic writing conventions
  • Follow the writing process

Do give yourself time to develop your paper - Remember, Writing is a Process

Every writing assignment is practice for the next one

  • Writing takes time
  • Go through every step of the process
  • Focus on your ideas first
  • Focus on grammar and spelling last
  • Get feedback from a peer, mentor, lecturer, family member

More information/Practice?

Explore the following pages from UNE

Activity: Your strengths and areas of growth

Reflect on:

  • What you think are your strengths when it comes to writing. Try to list at least 5 strengths!
  • What you recognise will be challenges when it comes to essay writing.
  • Can you create some SMART goals to help you develop and growth in the areas that you recognise will be a challenge?