how to structure the main body of an essay

How to write an essay: Body

• What's in this guide
• Introduction
• Essay structure
• Additional resources

Body paragraphs

The essay body itself is organised into paragraphs, according to your plan. Remember that each paragraph focuses on one idea, or aspect of your topic, and should contain at least 4-5 sentences so you can deal with that idea properly.

Each body paragraph has three sections. First is the topic sentence . This lets the reader know what the paragraph is going to be about and the main point it will make. It gives the paragraph’s point straight away. Next – and largest – is the supporting sentences . These expand on the central idea, explaining it in more detail, exploring what it means, and of course giving the evidence and argument that back it up. This is where you use your research to support your argument. Then there is a concluding sentence . This restates the idea in the topic sentence, to remind the reader of your main point. It also shows how that point helps answer the question.

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“An appropriate use of paragraphs is an essential part of writing coherent and well-structured essays.” Don Shiach,   How to write essays

The main body of your essay is where you deliver your argument . Its building blocks are well structured, academic paragraphs. Each paragraph is in itself an  individual argument  and when put together they should form a clear narrative that leads the reader to the inevitability of your conclusion.

The importance of the paragraph

A good academic paragraph is a special thing. It makes a clear point, backed up by good quality academic evidence, with a clear explanation of how the evidence supports the point and why the point is relevant to your overall argument  which supports your position . When these paragraphs are put together with appropriate links, there is a logical flow that takes the reader naturally to your essay's conclusion. 

As a general rule there should be one clear key point per paragraph , otherwise your reader could become overwhelmed with evidence that supports different points and makes your argument harder to follow. If you follow the basic structure below, you will be able to build effective paragraphs and so make the main body of your essay deliver on what you say it will do in your introduction.

Paragraph structure

• A topic sentence – what is the overall point that the paragraph is making?
• Evidence that supports your point – this is usually your cited material.
• Explanation of why the point is important and how it helps with your overall argument.
• A link (if necessary) to the next paragraph (or to the previous one if coming at the beginning of the paragraph) or back to the essay question.

This is a good order to use when you are new to writing academic essays - but as you get more accomplished you can adapt it as necessary. The important thing is to make sure all of these elements are present within the paragraph.

The sections below explain more about each of these elements.

The topic sentence (Point)

This should appear early in the paragraph and is often, but not always, the first sentence.  It should clearly state the main point that you are making in the paragraph. When you are planning essays, writing down a list of your topic sentences is an excellent way to check that your argument flows well from one point to the next.

This is the evidence that backs up your topic sentence. Why do you believe what you have written in your topic sentence? The evidence is usually paraphrased or quoted material from your reading . Depending on the nature of the assignment, it could also include:

• Your own data (in a research project for example).
• Personal experiences from practice (especially for Social Care, Health Sciences and Education).
• Personal experiences from learning (in a reflective essay for example).

Any evidence from external sources should, of course, be referenced.

Explanation (analysis)

This is the part of your paragraph where you explain to your reader why the evidence supports the point and why that point is relevant to your overall argument. It is where you answer the question 'So what?'. Tell the reader how the information in the paragraph helps you answer the question and how it leads to your conclusion. Your analysis should attempt to persuade the reader that your conclusion is the correct one.

These are the parts of your paragraphs that will get you the higher marks in any marking scheme.

Links are optional but it will help your argument flow if you include them. They are sentences that help the reader understand how the parts of your argument are connected . Most commonly they come at the end of the paragraph but they can be equally effective at the beginning of the next one. Sometimes a link is split between the end of one paragraph and the beginning of the next (see the example paragraph below).

Paragraph structure video

Length of a paragraph

Academic paragraphs are usually between 200 and 300 words long (they vary more than this but it is a useful guide). The important thing is that they should be long enough to contain all the above material. Only move onto a new paragraph if you are making a new point. 

Many students make their paragraphs too short (because they are not including enough or any analysis) or too long (they are made up of several different points).

Example of an academic paragraph

Using storytelling in educational settings can enable educators to connect with their students because of inborn tendencies for humans to listen to stories.   Written languages have only existed for between 6,000 and 7,000 years (Daniels & Bright, 1995) before then, and continually ever since in many cultures, important lessons for life were passed on using the oral tradition of storytelling. These varied from simple informative tales, to help us learn how to find food or avoid danger, to more magical and miraculous stories designed to help us see how we can resolve conflict and find our place in society (Zipes, 2012). Oral storytelling traditions are still fundamental to native American culture and Rebecca Bishop, a native American public relations officer (quoted in Sorensen, 2012) believes that the physical act of storytelling is a special thing; children will automatically stop what they are doing and listen when a story is told. Professional communicators report that this continues to adulthood (Simmons, 2006; Stevenson, 2008).   This means that storytelling can be a powerful tool for connecting with students of all ages in a way that a list of bullet points in a PowerPoint presentation cannot. The emotional connection and innate, almost hardwired, need to listen when someone tells a story means that educators can teach memorable lessons in a uniquely engaging manner that is   common to all cultures. 

The cross-cultural element of storytelling can be seen when reading or listening to wisdom tales from around the world...

Key:   Topic sentence    Evidence (includes some analysis)    Analysis   Link (crosses into next paragraph)

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Essay and dissertation writing skills

Planning your essay

Writing your introduction

Structuring your essay

• Writing essays in science subjects
• Brief video guides to support essay planning and writing
• Writing extended essays and dissertations
• Planning your dissertation writing time

Structuring your dissertation

• Top tips for writing longer pieces of work

Advice on planning and writing essays and dissertations

University essays differ from school essays in that they are less concerned with what you know and more concerned with how you construct an argument to answer the question. This means that the starting point for writing a strong essay is to first unpick the question and to then use this to plan your essay before you start putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard).

A really good starting point for you are these short, downloadable Tips for Successful Essay Writing and Answering the Question resources. Both resources will help you to plan your essay, as well as giving you guidance on how to distinguish between different sorts of essay questions. 

You may find it helpful to watch this seven-minute video on six tips for essay writing which outlines how to interpret essay questions, as well as giving advice on planning and structuring your writing:

Different disciplines will have different expectations for essay structure and you should always refer to your Faculty or Department student handbook or course Canvas site for more specific guidance.

However, broadly speaking, all essays share the following features:

Essays need an introduction to establish and focus the parameters of the discussion that will follow. You may find it helpful to divide the introduction into areas to demonstrate your breadth and engagement with the essay question. You might define specific terms in the introduction to show your engagement with the essay question; for example, ‘This is a large topic which has been variously discussed by many scientists and commentators. The principal tension is between the views of X and Y who define the main issues as…’ Breadth might be demonstrated by showing the range of viewpoints from which the essay question could be considered; for example, ‘A variety of factors including economic, social and political, influence A and B. This essay will focus on the social and economic aspects, with particular emphasis on…..’

Watch this two-minute video to learn more about how to plan and structure an introduction:

The main body of the essay should elaborate on the issues raised in the introduction and develop an argument(s) that answers the question. It should consist of a number of self-contained paragraphs each of which makes a specific point and provides some form of evidence to support the argument being made. Remember that a clear argument requires that each paragraph explicitly relates back to the essay question or the developing argument.

• Conclusion: An essay should end with a conclusion that reiterates the argument in light of the evidence you have provided; you shouldn’t use the conclusion to introduce new information.
• References: You need to include references to the materials you’ve used to write your essay. These might be in the form of footnotes, in-text citations, or a bibliography at the end. Different systems exist for citing references and different disciplines will use various approaches to citation. Ask your tutor which method(s) you should be using for your essay and also consult your Department or Faculty webpages for specific guidance in your discipline. 

Essay writing in science subjects

If you are writing an essay for a science subject you may need to consider additional areas, such as how to present data or diagrams. This five-minute video gives you some advice on how to approach your reading list, planning which information to include in your answer and how to write for your scientific audience – the video is available here:

A PDF providing further guidance on writing science essays for tutorials is available to download.

Short videos to support your essay writing skills

There are many other resources at Oxford that can help support your essay writing skills and if you are short on time, the Oxford Study Skills Centre has produced a number of short (2-minute) videos covering different aspects of essay writing, including:

• Approaching different types of essay questions  
• Structuring your essay  
• Writing an introduction  
• Making use of evidence in your essay writing  
• Writing your conclusion

Extended essays and dissertations

Longer pieces of writing like extended essays and dissertations may seem like quite a challenge from your regular essay writing. The important point is to start with a plan and to focus on what the question is asking. A PDF providing further guidance on planning Humanities and Social Science dissertations is available to download.

Planning your time effectively

Try not to leave the writing until close to your deadline, instead start as soon as you have some ideas to put down onto paper. Your early drafts may never end up in the final work, but the work of committing your ideas to paper helps to formulate not only your ideas, but the method of structuring your writing to read well and conclude firmly.

Although many students and tutors will say that the introduction is often written last, it is a good idea to begin to think about what will go into it early on. For example, the first draft of your introduction should set out your argument, the information you have, and your methods, and it should give a structure to the chapters and sections you will write. Your introduction will probably change as time goes on but it will stand as a guide to your entire extended essay or dissertation and it will help you to keep focused.

The structure of  extended essays or dissertations will vary depending on the question and discipline, but may include some or all of the following:

• The background information to - and context for - your research. This often takes the form of a literature review.
• Explanation of the focus of your work.
• Explanation of the value of this work to scholarship on the topic.
• List of the aims and objectives of the work and also the issues which will not be covered because they are outside its scope.

The main body of your extended essay or dissertation will probably include your methodology, the results of research, and your argument(s) based on your findings.

The conclusion is to summarise the value your research has added to the topic, and any further lines of research you would undertake given more time or resources. 

Tips on writing longer pieces of work

Approaching each chapter of a dissertation as a shorter essay can make the task of writing a dissertation seem less overwhelming. Each chapter will have an introduction, a main body where the argument is developed and substantiated with evidence, and a conclusion to tie things together. Unlike in a regular essay, chapter conclusions may also introduce the chapter that will follow, indicating how the chapters are connected to one another and how the argument will develop through your dissertation.

For further guidance, watch this two-minute video on writing longer pieces of work . 

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How to shorten an essay, how to make a cover page for an essay, basic essay structure: how to build it.

Writing a well-structured essay is like building a house: you need a solid foundation, sturdy walls, and a roof to complete it. A well-organized essay helps your ideas flow smoothly and makes it easier for readers to follow your argument. Plus, it shows that you’ve put thought into your work, making it more convincing and enjoyable to read.

So, what does a good essay structure look like? Whether you’re writing a narrative, descriptive, expository, or persuasive essay, following this structure will help you stay organized and make your writing more impactful. Let’s dive in and learn how to put it all together!

How to Structure an Essay

Imagine you’re building a house. You need a solid foundation, walls, and a roof to make it stand. Writing an essay is similar. It requires a good structure to hold your ideas together and make your argument clear. Let’s break down the go-to essay structure to help you get started.

First, you need an introduction that grabs the reader’s attention. Start with an engaging opening sentence that makes your reader want to keep going. This could be a surprising fact, a question, or a bold statement. Then, provide some background information to set the context or give a brief overview of the topic. Finally, end your introduction with a thesis statement that clearly presents the main argument or purpose of your essay.

Next, you have the body paragraphs . Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea. Follow this with supporting details, which can be evidence, examples, or explanations that back up your point. It’s important to keep your ideas clear and logical. Also, use transitions to smoothly link each paragraph to the next, helping the reader follow your argument effortlessly.

Lastly, your conclusion ties everything together. Start by restating your thesis in different words to reinforce your main argument. Then, summarize the key points you discussed in the body paragraphs. This helps remind the reader of the journey they’ve taken through your essay. Finally, end with a closing statement or call to action that leaves a lasting impression. This could be a thought-provoking comment, a suggestion for further research, or a call to action based on your argument.

Remember, the introduction sets the stage, the body paragraphs build the argument, and the conclusion wraps it all up.

With practice, you’ll find that this go-to structure makes essay writing much easier and more effective.

Basic Essay Structure for Different Types of Essays

Writing essays becomes simpler when you understand the structure. Here, we’ll look at five common types: narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive, and comparative essays. Each has unique characteristics and serves a specific purpose. I’ll also include an example of how to structure the main body for each type.

Narrative Essay

A narrative essay tells a story from the author’s perspective. It aims to engage the reader by making the story interesting and relatable.

Example Structure:

• Introduction : Set the scene and introduce the main character.
• Body Paragraph 1 : Describe the beginning of the story (setting, characters).
• Body Paragraph 2 : Describe the main event or conflict.
• Body Paragraph 3 : Describe the climax of the story.
• Conclusion : Describe the resolution and the lesson learned.

Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay paints a picture with words. It aims to describe a person, place, object, or event so vividly that the reader can visualize it.

• Introduction : Introduce the subject you will describe.
• Body Paragraph 1 : Describe the subject using sight (what it looks like).
• Body Paragraph 2 : Describe the subject using sound (what it sounds like).
• Body Paragraph 3 : Describe the subject using smell, touch, and taste (if applicable).
• Conclusion : Summarize the main points and highlight the overall impression.

Expository Essay

An expository essay explains or informs. It provides a balanced analysis of a topic, using facts, statistics, and examples.

• Introduction : Present the topic and state the thesis.
• Body Paragraph 1 : Explain the first main idea with supporting facts and examples.
• Body Paragraph 2 : Explain the second main idea with supporting facts and examples.
• Body Paragraph 3 : Explain the third main idea with supporting facts and examples.
• Conclusion : Summarize the main points and restate the thesis.

Persuasive Essay

A persuasive essay aims to convince the reader to accept a particular viewpoint or take a specific action. It uses logic, reason, and emotion to build a compelling argument.

• Introduction : Introduce the topic and state your position.
• Body Paragraph 1 : Present the first supporting argument with evidence.
• Body Paragraph 2 : Present the second supporting argument with evidence.
• Body Paragraph 3 : Present the third supporting argument with evidence.
• Body Paragraph 4 : Address a counterargument and refute it.
• Conclusion : Summarize the arguments and reinforce your position.

Comparative Essay

A comparative essay examines the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. It helps the reader understand the subjects better by comparing them.

• Introduction : Introduce the subjects and state the basis for comparison.
• Body Paragraph 1 : Compare the first point of similarity or difference between the subjects.
• Body Paragraph 2 : Compare the second point of similarity or difference between the subjects.
• Body Paragraph 3 : Compare the third point of similarity or difference between the subjects.
• Conclusion : Summarize the comparisons and highlight the overall insights.

Now, you can effectively organize your essays and make your writing clear and engaging. Each type of essay has its unique features, so choose the one that best fits your topic and purpose.

How to Organize an Essay with Structural Transition Words

Using transitional words is like putting up road signs for your reader. These words guide them through your essay, making it easier to follow your thoughts and arguments. They help in creating a smooth flow, making your writing more engaging and coherent. Let’s dive into different types of transitional words and how they can be used effectively.

👋 Introduction to Body

When you transition from the introduction to the body of your essay, you need words that signal the beginning of your main discussion. These words help to seamlessly connect the introduction to the detailed points you will cover.

For instance, words like “ Firstly ,” “ To begin with ,” and “ Initially ” are perfect for starting your body paragraphs. They let the reader know that you are moving from the introductory context to the main points. For example, you might say, “Firstly, it’s important to understand the historical context of the issue.” Or, “To begin with, let’s explore the primary causes of the conflict.” These words set the stage for detailed analysis and help the reader transition smoothly from the general introduction to specific arguments.

➕ Adding Information

When you need to add more information or points to your argument, transitional words come in handy. These words indicate that there is more to say on the topic, building on what has already been mentioned.

Words like “ Furthermore ,” “ Moreover ,” and “ Additionally ” are great for adding information. For example, “Furthermore, recent studies support this claim,” or “Moreover, this approach has been widely adopted in several countries.” By using these words, you show that you are expanding on your previous points, making your argument more comprehensive and convincing.

✅ Providing Examples

To illustrate your points more clearly, providing examples is absolutely necessary. Transitional words help introduce these examples smoothly, showing the reader that you are giving concrete evidence to support your claims.

Examples of such words include “ For example ,” “ For instance ,” and “ Such as .” You might write, “For example, many schools have implemented this program successfully,” or “For instance, in the case of renewable energy, solar power has shown remarkable potential.” These words prepare the reader for specific details that back up your general statements, making your argument stronger.

☀️❄️ Contrasting Information

Sometimes, you need to present contrasting information to show different perspectives or to highlight an exception to the rule. Transitional words help indicate a shift from one idea to a contrasting one.

Words like “ However ,” “ On the other hand ,” and “ Conversely ” are ideal for this purpose. For example, “However, not all experts agree with this view,” or “On the other hand, there are significant challenges to this approach.” These words signal to the reader that you are about to present a different angle, helping them to understand the complexity of the issue.

🔀 Showing Cause and Effect

To explain the relationship between actions and outcomes, cause-and-effect transitional words are essential. They help you link causes to their effects clearly and logically.

Words such as “ Therefore ,” “ Consequently ,” and “ As a result ” are perfect for this. You might say, “Therefore, it is clear that immediate action is necessary,” or “Consequently, the policy had to be revised.” These words make it easy for the reader to follow the logical progression of your argument, showing how one idea leads to another.

📍 Summarizing/Concluding

In the conclusion of your essay, you need transitional words that help you summarize your main points and bring your argument to a close. These words signal to the reader that you are wrapping up your discussion.

Examples include “ In conclusion ,” “ To summarize ,” and “ Ultimately .” For example, “In conclusion, the evidence strongly supports the need for policy change,” or “To summarize, the key factors influencing this issue have been thoroughly examined.” These words help you succinctly tie together your main points and leave the reader with a clear understanding of your argument.

Tips for Writing a Structure of an Essay

Writing a well-structured essay is like building a strong bridge that connects your ideas seamlessly. Let’s dive into some tips that can help you create a clear and effective essay structure.

Think of an outline as your essay’s roadmap. Before you start writing, take some time to outline your main points. This will give you a clear direction and keep you on track. Start with your introduction, list out the key points you’ll cover in the body, and jot down ideas for your conclusion. Outlining helps you organize your thoughts and makes the writing process smoother.

Each paragraph in your essay should focus on one main idea. Begin with a topic sentence that clearly states this idea. The rest of the paragraph should provide evidence, examples, or explanations that support the topic sentence. This keeps your writing focused and makes it easier for the reader to follow your argument. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, one paragraph might focus on physical health benefits, while another might discuss mental health improvements.

Transitions are the glue that holds your essay together. They help you move smoothly from one idea to the next, ensuring your essay flows well. Words like “Firstly,” “Additionally,” “However,” and “In conclusion” guide your reader through your essay. These transitions make your writing more coherent and help emphasize the relationships between your ideas.

A well-balanced essay is easy to read and understand. Make sure your paragraphs are roughly the same length and provide a balanced amount of information. Avoid cramming too much information into one paragraph or making another too short. Each paragraph should be clear, focused, and contribute to your overall argument. This balance keeps your essay well-organized and engaging.

Once you’ve finished writing, take the time to proofread your essay. Look for structural consistency: Are your paragraphs in a logical order? Do your transitions make sense? Is each paragraph focused on a single main idea? Proofreading helps you catch any inconsistencies or areas that might confuse your reader. It’s also a good time to check for clarity. Make sure your ideas are clearly expressed and easy to understand.

Writing a structured essay doesn’t have to be complicated. By outlining your essay, ensuring each paragraph has a clear main idea, using transitions, keeping paragraphs balanced, and proofreading for consistency and clarity, you can create an essay that is both engaging and easy to follow. Practice these tips, and you’ll become more confident in your essay writing skills. Happy writing!

How should I structure an essay?

Structuring an essay involves three main parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. Start with an engaging introduction that includes a hook, background information, and a clear thesis statement. Then, develop your main ideas in body paragraphs, each starting with a topic sentence and supported by evidence. Finally, wrap up your essay with a conclusion that restates the thesis, summarizes key points, and leaves the reader with a final thought or call to action.

What are the 3 major parts of essay structure?

The three major parts of an essay structure are the introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction sets the stage by introducing the topic and stating the thesis. The body is the main section where you develop your ideas and arguments, usually in several paragraphs. The conclusion ties everything together, restating the thesis and summarizing the main points, providing closure to the discussion.

What is the 5 point structure to an essay?

The 5 point structure to an essay includes:

• Introduction : Hook, background information, and thesis statement.
• Body Paragraph 1 : First main point with supporting evidence.
• Body Paragraph 2 : Second main point with supporting evidence.
• Body Paragraph 3 : Third main point with supporting evidence.
• Conclusion : Restate thesis, summarize key points, and final thought.

This structure helps organize your essay in a clear, logical manner, making it easier for the reader to follow and understand your argument.

What is an example of essay structure?

An example of an essay structure might look like this:

Introduction : “Education is essential for personal and societal growth. This essay will discuss the importance of education in developing critical thinking skills, promoting social equality, and fostering economic development.”

Body Paragraph 1 : “Firstly, education plays a crucial role in developing critical thinking skills. Students learn to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and solve problems creatively. For instance, critical thinking is emphasized in subjects like mathematics and science.”

Body Paragraph 2 : “Moreover, education promotes social equality by providing opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background. Public schooling systems aim to offer equal access to quality education, helping to bridge the gap between different social classes.”

Body Paragraph 3 : “Finally, education fosters economic development by creating a skilled workforce. Educated individuals are more likely to find employment, contribute to innovation, and drive economic growth. For example, countries with higher education levels often have stronger economies.”

Conclusion : “In conclusion, education is vital for developing critical thinking skills, promoting social equality, and fostering economic development. Investing in education is essential for creating a better future for individuals and society as a whole.”

This structure ensures that your essay is well-organized and that each point is clearly presented and supported.

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• Parts of an Academic Essay
• The Writing Process
• Rhetorical Modes as Types of Essays
• Stylistic Considerations
• Literary Analysis Essay - Close Reading
• Unity and Coherence in Essays
• Proving the Thesis/Critical Thinking
• Appropriate Language

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In a way, these academic essays are like a court trial. The attorney, whether prosecuting the case or defending it, begins with an opening statement explaining the background and telling the jury what he or she intends to prove (the thesis statement). Then, the attorney presents witnesses for proof (the body of the paragraphs). Lastly, the attorney presents the closing argument (concluding paragraph).

The Introduction and Thesis

There are a variety of approaches regarding the content of the introduction paragraph such as a brief outline of the proof, an anecdote, explaining key ideas, and asking a question. In addition, some textbooks say that an introduction can be more than one paragraph. The placement of the thesis statement is another variable depending on the instructor and/or text. The approach used in this lesson is that an introduction paragraph gives background information leading into the thesis which is the main idea of the paper, which is stated at the end.

The background in the introductory paragraph consists of information about the circumstances of the thesis. This background information often starts in the introductory paragraph with a general statement which is then refined to the most specific sentence of the essay, the thesis. Background sentences include information about the topic and the controversy. It is important to note that in this approach, the proof for the thesis is not found in the introduction except, possibly, as part of a thesis statement which includes the key elements of the proof. Proof is presented and expanded on in the body.

Some instructors may prefer other types of content in the introduction in addition to the thesis. It is best to check with an instructor as to whether he or she has a preference for content. Generally, the thesis must be stated in the introduction.

The thesis is the position statement. It must contain a subject and a verb and express a complete thought. It must also be defensible. This means it should be an arguable point with which people could reasonably disagree. The more focused and narrow the thesis statement, the better a paper will generally be.

If you are given a question in the instructions for your paper, the thesis statement is a one-sentence answer taking a position on the question.

If you are given a topic instead of a question, then in order to create a thesis statement, you must narrow your analysis of the topic to a specific controversial issue about the topic to take a stand. If it is not a research paper, some brainstorming (jotting down what comes to mind on the issue) should help determine a specific question.

If it is a research paper, the process begins with exploratory research, which should show the various issues and controversies. It should, ultimately, lead to the specific question. Then, the research becomes focused on the question, which should lead to taking a position on the question.

These methods of determining a thesis are still answering a question. It’s just that you pose a question to answer for the thesis.  Here is an example.

Suppose, one of the topics you are given to write about is America’s National Parks. Books have been written about this subject. In fact, books have been written just about a single park. As you are thinking about it, you may realize how there is an issue about balancing between preserving the wilderness and allowing visitors. The question would then be Should visitors to America’s National Parks be regulated in order to preserve the wilderness?

One thesis might be "There is no need for regulations for visiting America’s National Parks to preserve the wilderness."

Another might be "There should be reasonable regulations for visiting America’s National Parks in order to preserve the wilderness."

Finally, avoid using expressions that announce, “Now I will prove…” or “This essay is about…” Instead of telling the reader what the paper is about, a good paper simply proves the thesis in the body. Generally, you shouldn’t refer to your paper in your paper.

Here is an example of a good introduction with the thesis:

Not too long ago, everyday life was filled with burdensome, time-consuming chores that left little time for much more than completing these tasks. People generally worked from their homes or within walking distance to their homes and rarely traveled far from them. People were limited to whatever their physical capacities were. All this changed dramatically as new technologies developed. Modern technology has most improved our lives through convenience, efficiency, and accessibility.

Note how the background is general and leads up to the thesis. No proof is given in the background sentences about how technology has improved lives.

Moreover, notice that the thesis is the last sentence of the introduction. It is a defensible statement.

A reasonable person could argue the opposite position: Although modern technology has provided easier ways of completing some tasks, it has diminished the quality of life since people have to work too many hours to acquire these gadgets, have developed health problems as a result of excess use, and have lost focus on what is really valuable in life.

• The introduction opens the essay and gives background information about the thesis.
• Do not introduce your supporting points (proof) in the introduction unless they are part of the thesis; save these for the body.
• The thesis is placed at the end of the introductory paragraph.
• Don’t use expressions like “this paper will be about...” or “I intend to show…”

For more information on body paragraphs and supporting evidence, see Proving a Thesis – Evidence and Proving a Thesis – Logic, and Logical Fallacies and Appeals in Related Pages on the right sidebar.

Body paragraphs give proof for the thesis. They should have one proof point per paragraph expressed in a topic sentence. The topic sentence is usually found at the beginning of each body paragraph and, like a thesis, must be a complete sentence. Each topic sentence must be directly related to and support the argument made by the thesis.

After the topic sentence, the rest of the paragraph should go on to support this one proof with examples and explanation. It is the details that support the topic sentences in the body paragraphs that make the arguments strong.

If the thesis statement stated that technology improved the quality of life, each body paragraph should begin with a reason why it has improved the quality of life. This reason is called a  topic sentence . Following are three examples of body paragraphs that provide support for the thesis that modern technology has improved our lives through convenience, efficiency, and accessibility:

     Almost every aspect of our lives has been improved through convenience provided by modern technology. From the sound of music from an alarm clock in the morning to the end of the day being entertained in the convenience of our living room, our lives are improved. The automatic coffee maker has the coffee ready at a certain time. Cars or public transportation bring people to work where computers operate at the push of a button. At home, there’s the convenience of washing machines and dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, and power lawn mowers. Modern technology has made life better with many conveniences.      Not only has technology improved our lives through convenience, it has improved our lives through efficiency. The time saved by machines doing most of the work leaves more time for people to develop their personal goals or to just relax. Years ago, when doing laundry could take all day, there wasn’t time left over to read or go to school or even just to take a leisurely walk. Nowadays, people have more time and energy than ever to simply enjoy their lives and pursue their goals thanks to the efficiency of modern technology.      Accessibility to a wide range of options has been expanded through modern technology. Never before could people cross a continent or an ocean in an afternoon. Travel is not the only way technology has created accessibility. Software which types from voice commands has made using computers more accessible for school or work. People with special needs have many new options thanks to modern technology such as special chairs or text readers. Actually, those people who need hearing aids as a result of normal aging have access to continued communication and enjoyment of entertainment they did not previously have. There are many ways technology has improved lives through increased accessibility.

Notice how these proof paragraphs stick to one proof point introduced in the topic sentences. These three paragraphs, not only support the original thesis, but go on to give details and explanations which explain the proof point in the topic sentence.

Quick Tips on Body Paragraphs

• The body of your essay is where you give your main support for the thesis.
• Each body paragraph should start with a topic sentence that is directly related to and supports the thesis statement.
• Each body paragraph should also give details and explanations that further support the poof point for that paragraph.
• Don’t use enumeration such as first, second, and third. The reader will know by the topic sentence that it is a new proof point.
• See Proving the Thesis in Related Pages on the right sidebar for more information on proof.

The Conclusion

Instructors vary of what they expect in the conclusion; however, there is general agreement that conclusions should not introduce any new proof points, should include a restatement of the thesis, and should not contain any words such as “In conclusion.”

Some instructors want only a summary of the proof and a restatement of the thesis. Some instructors ask for a general prediction or implication of the information presented without a restatement of thesis. Still others may want to include a restatement along with a general prediction or implication of the information presents. Be sure to review assignment instructions or check with instructor.  If your assignment instructions don’t specify, just sum up the proof and restate the thesis.

Example which sums up proof and restates thesis :

Modern technology has created many conveniences in everyday from waking up to music to having coffee ready to getting to work and doing a day’s work. The efficiency provided by technology gives people more time to enjoy life and pursue personal development, and the accessibility has broadened options for travel, school, and work. Modern technology has improved our lives through convenience, efficiency, and accessibility.

See how the thesis statement was restated. The two major arguments about the possible locations proven to be incorrect were also included to remind the reader of the major proof points made in the paper.

Example which makes a general prediction or implication of the information presented:

Modern technology has created many conveniences in everyday life from waking up to music to having coffee ready to getting to work and doing a day’s work. The efficiency provided by technology gives people more time to enjoy life and pursue personal development, and the accessibility has broadened options for travel, school, and work. Without it, everyday life would be filled with burdensome tasks and be limited to our neighborhood and our physical capacity.

Here’s an example of a conclusion with a general prediction or implication statement with a restatement of thesis.

Modern technology has created many conveniences in everyday life from waking up to music to having coffee ready to getting to work and doing a day’s work. The efficiency provided by technology gives people more time to enjoy life and pursue personal development, and the accessibility has broadened options for travel, school, and work. Without it, everyday life would be filled with burdensome tasks and be limited to our neighborhood and our physical capacity. Modern technology has improved our lives through convenience, efficiency, and accessibility.

Quick Tips for Conclusions

• The conclusion brings the essay to an end and is typically the shortest paragraph.
• It is important to not introduce new ideas or information here.
• Unless otherwise specified in your assignment, just sum up the proof and restate the conclusion.
• Some instructors may want the concluding paragraph to contain a general prediction or observation implied from the information presented.
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Structure your writing

The main body of your assignment should present a clear and logical response to the question. You should discuss and evidence a few key points in detail, rather than including lots of points that are dealt with in a superficial way.

You should use focussed and connected paragraphs to develop your argument.

Paragraphs are an important part of how we structure writing. They form distinct sections of text, usually on one topic or theme and are made up of several sentences. Without paragraphs it would be difficult to follow the argument in an essay or the evidence presented in a report.

Whatever type of writing you undertake at university and beyond, well-constructed paragraphs will enhance the readability and presentation of your work.

What makes a good paragraph?

In academic work, paragraphs should have:

• an appropriate writing style for your discipline
• criticality

You may be asked to produce different types of writing at university. Essays are one of the most common types of writing, but you might also need to write reports, reflections, summaries, reviews or blogs. Paragraphs in different forms of writing can have different characteristics.

For example, in essay writing it is important to be balanced and represent the voice of the writer. In a report, you still need purpose, clarity, accuracy and criticality, but the extent to which every paragraph within that report needs balance and a writer’s voice, might vary.

Explore our Examples of paragraphs in academic writing resource to learn more about how paragraphs work in different subject disciplines and contexts. Each example has a commentary, showing how each part works together to create an effective paragraph.

You can also find your own examples by analysing the texts recommended in your reading lists. Use these to try to identify what works and how you could use the same techniques in your writing.

Find out about each of the characteristics of paragraphs in more detail below or skip to a particular section with these links:

• writing style

Every paragraph should have a unique purpose, so that each one is an essential part of the wider argument or discussion.

The main idea

Focus on one argument, idea or theme in detail in each paragraph.

Make sure that your reader understands the purpose of your paragraphs by setting out the main idea clearly (usually in the first one or two sentences).

For example:

“Developments in food technology have led to an increase in the availability of convenience foods in the UK over the last 30 years.”

More than one paragraph on a theme

You might have more than one paragraph on a similar theme. If so, make sure that they don’t repeat the same point. Ensure that each paragraph contributes logically and coherently to the overall purpose or argument of your piece of writing. One way to check this is to highlight the first and last sentences of every paragraph and look at whether they represent a fair overview of the points that you want to make.

Show the reader how the key idea of a paragraph contributes towards the overall argument by including sentences which guide or lead the reader through this part of the argument, idea or theme. Your paragraphs should connect to each other and follow on in a logical order.

For example, as part of a theme in an essay about the role of sugar in convenience foods, this sentence at the end of a paragraph on how sugar affects tooth decay moves the reader onto the next paragraph about sugar tax:

“The connection between a diet high in sugar and tooth decay is clear, but the impact of a tax on sugar is less well researched.”

This sentence moves the argument forward by advancing the discussion.

Appropriate writing style for your discipline

Writing good paragraphs takes practice and the commitment to actively respond to feedback to improve your work. The overall style and use of language differs between disciplines, but there are two basic aspects of writing style that are common to many disciplines: paragraph length and when to start a new paragraph.

Length of paragraphs

There is no perfect length for a paragraph because this will vary between disciplines and types of assessments.

Long paragraphs can be difficult for a reader to follow and may prevent them from fully grasping the points that you want to make. To identify whether your paragraphs are too long, read through them and notice whether you are sticking to the original point as set out in the first one or two sentences. If you find that the content is deviating from the point, then you may need to re-think.

Very short paragraphs of less than three or four sentences might look as though you don’t have enough to say about that topic. Ask yourself whether the point that you want to make is genuinely important, which may indicate that you need to do more research to understand it and therefore explore it in more depth. Remember that the person reading your work is expecting each paragraph to be directly relevant to the overall piece.

When to start a new paragraph

One way to look at paragraphs is to think of them as a mini exploration of one aspect of a topic. If you were writing about how to build a house for example, you might include individual paragraphs about designing the building, choosing materials, considering outside space etc. A new paragraph is needed for each new aspect of the topic.

Generally, you should not start a paragraph by reiterating what you have just talked about. Your first sentence of a paragraph should alert the reader to a change of focus, and each paragraph should build to show how your ideas are progressing.

Criticality

Most of your written work needs to show much more than just the ability to repeat information and facts. Critical writing is important to demonstrate the depth of your knowledge and understanding of different arguments, theories and ideas. Our critical thinking webpages are a good starting point if you want to know more.

To show criticality in your paragraphs:

• explore the significance of an idea, principle, innovation or evidence
• tell the reader more than just what happened, what this is, how this works, and explore the causes, consequences, effects and implications of what you are writing about
• use appropriate evidence to support any claims or lines of reasoning
• evaluate the evidence, showing how it links to the overall argument
• compare, contrast or comment on how different pieces of evidence relate to one another and to your wider argument.

The boundaries of knowledge are constantly moving and at any one time there may be a wide number of different ideas or perspectives about your subject area. Over time and in different contexts, some of these ideas or perspectives may become more dominant than others.

When you are writing and researching, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that what we “know” today may change tomorrow, or that what could be “true” in one context is not true in another. This is where balance in your writing becomes important.

To demonstrate balance you can explicitly or implicitly acknowledge that there may be alternative viewpoints on the subject, for example by citing relevant arguments and literature.

You can also show that you understand that knowledge may be ambiguous and rarely definitive by using language which adds caution to your claims, for example:

“High levels of intrinsic motivation in students may be linked to greater satisfaction with their courses.”

Find out more about showing caution in your writing .

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How to structure an essay

(Last updated: 13 May 2021)

Since 2006, Oxbridge Essays has been the UK’s leading paid essay-writing and dissertation service

We have helped 10,000s of undergraduate, Masters and PhD students to maximise their grades in essays, dissertations, model-exam answers, applications and other materials. If you would like a free chat about your project with one of our UK staff, then please just reach out on one of the methods below.

This guide is for anyone looking to vastly improve their essay writing skills through better knowledge what is meant by good 'essay structure'.

Essay writing is a key component to academic success at every level. It is, essentially, the way in which people within the academic community communicate with each other. Thus, there are fundamental ways in which academics structure their work and formal ways of communicating what they have to say. Writing essays is not simply a hoop for students to jump through. The vast majority of instructors and professors also write essays at a professional level, and they do not ask of their students anything less than the standard that is asked of them.

Where too many students go wrong in writing their essays is in either failing to plan ahead (not giving sufficient, care, thought, or time to the process) or in not understanding the expectations of essay writing. Of these expectations, appropriate and effective essay structure is critical. Students often lose valuable marks by failing to structure their essays clearly and concisely to make the best of their ideas.

So how do you structure academic writing? What is the best essay structure format?

First, consider what an essay is . What is it supposed to do? At its core an essay is simply an argument . Now, by argument we don’t mean a slanging match between two angry people. Rather, we are talking about a formal argument. An idea or a claim, which is supported by logic and/or evidence.

Imagine the following scenario: you feel the time has come to approach your boss about getting a raise at work. Imagine yourself walking into your supervisor’s office and requesting that raise. Almost automatically, your mind formulates a rhetorical structure. There are effective and ineffective ways of asking of making such a request. The effective strategy will have a logic and an order. You will firstly claim that you deserve a raise. And you will give evidence to support why you deserve that raise. For example: you are a hard worker, you are never late, you have the admiration and respect of your colleagues, you have been offered another position elsewhere and you want the pay matched. And so on. And you would probably wrap up your discussion with an overview of of why giving you more money is important.

And that is fundamentally an essay. Every good essay has three basic parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

This simple guide will show you how to perfect your essay structure by clearly introducing and concluding your argument, and laying out your paragraphs coherently in between. Your essay writing can be dramatically improved overnight simply by using the correct essay structure, as explained below.

Where the essay starts

When you are writing an essay , every sentence and every paragraph is important. But there is something extra important about introductions. Just like going out on a date for the first time, you want the introduction to be just right, almost perfect. You want to put your best self forward and create a great first impression.

You should already know this, but most professors and instructors will start grading your work in their head as soon as they begin reading it. They will be sorting your essay, maybe not in terms of a grade, but most definitely in terms of strong/weak, interesting/dull, or effective/ineffective. And most will have some notion of where your essay falls on that scale before they even finish the introduction. It will be the rarest of markers who withholds judgement until the end. The introduction is something you absolutely must start strong.

Always develop an introduction that clearly sets out the aims of what you are about to write and, if applicable, refers to the subject under investigation. State what the essay will try to achieve and briefly mention some of the main points you will consider. The idea is to give the marker an overview of your argument, to show that your thought process is logical and coherent and that you have carefully thought the question through. Don’t try to go into any of your key points in depth in your introduction – they will each be covered by a full paragraph later on. If the question is an ‘either or’ or a ‘how far do you agree’ question, it is useful to set out both sides of the argument briefly in the introduction in preparation for exploring the two sides later in the essay.

Think of your introduction as a thumbnail picture of the whole essay. Anyone, but especially the marker, should know the essay subject and how you intend to prove or disprove it, just from having read just the introduction.

Take the following example:

You have been given this assignment: The main purpose of Gothic fiction is to break normal moral and social codes. Discuss.

A strong introduction should read something like this:

It is certainly true that many works of Gothic fiction manifest the transgression of normal moral and social codes as their major theme. Their emphasis on female sexuality, their breaking of the boundaries between life and death and their shocking displays of immoral religious characters would all suggest that this is indeed the case. However, it is also important to consider other major aspects of the genre that might be considered equally important in purpose, such as its fascination with the supernatural, its portrayal of artificial humanity and its satirical social attacks. This essay will explore these conflicting purposes with reference to several different Gothic texts to discover what might be best described as the ‘main’ purpose of the genre.

Reread that paragraph. Does it tell you what the topic of the essay is? What the point is? What the essay plans to do? Now, without reading think about just the size of that paragraph. If a marker were to see an introduction that were any less than that they would automatically know, without even reading a word, that the topic was not going to be well introduced. That is not to suggest you simply fill up the paragraph, but that a certain amount of information in the introduction is expected.

It is worth pointing out that in a much longer essay an introduction does not need to be limited to a single paragraph. Generally, however, it will be.

The body of your essay

The second part of the essay is the body. This is the longest part of the essay. In general, a short essay will have at least three full paragraphs; a long essay considerably more.

Each paragraph is a point that you want to make that relates to the topic. So, going back to the ‘give me more money’ example from earlier, each reason you have for deserving a raise should be a separate paragraph, and that paragraph is an elaboration on that claim.

Paragraphs, like the essay overall, also have an expected structure. You should start a new paragraph for each major new idea within your essay, to clearly show the examiner the structure of your argument. Each paragraph should begin with a signpost sentence that sets out the main point you are going to explore in that section. It is sometimes helpful to refer back to the title of the essay in the signpost sentence, to remind the examiner of the relevance of your point. Essay writing becomes much easier for you too this way, as you remind yourself exactly what you are focusing on each step of the way.

Here's a signpost sentence example: One important way in which Gothic fiction transgresses normal moral and social codes is in its portrayal of the female heroine.

Further sentences in this paragraph would then go on to expand and back up your point in greater detail and with relevant examples. The paragraph should not contain any sentences that are not directly related to the issue set out in the signpost sentence. So you are writing an essay that clearly separates its ideas into structured sections. Going back to the wage-raise example: in the middle of talking about how punctual you are, would you start talking about how you are a good colleague, then about that client you impressed, and then talk about your punctuality again? Of course not. The same rules apply: each paragraph deals with one idea, one subject.

The end of your essay

The last section of your essay is the conclusion. In general, this will also be a single paragraph in shorter essays, but can go on to two or three for slightly longer discussions.

Every well-structured essay ends with a conclusion . Its purpose is to summarise the main points of your argument and, if appropriate, to draw a final decision or judgement about the issues you have been discussing. Sometimes, conclusions attempt to connect the essay to broader issues or areas of further study.

It is important not to introduce any new ideas in the conclusion – it is simply a reminder of what your essay has already covered. It may be useful again to refer back to the title in the conclusion to make it very clear to the examiner that you have thoroughly answered the question at hand. Make sure you remind them of your argument by very concisely touching on each key point.

Here an example of an essay conclusion:

Overall, whilst it is certainly true that the characters, plots and settings of Gothic fiction seem firmly intended to break normal moral and social codes, the great incidence within the genre of the depiction of the supernatural, and in particular its insistent reference to social injustice and hypocrisy might suggest that in fact its main purpose was the criticism and reform of society.

But where do I start???

Now you should have a solid grasp of a typical essay structure but might not know how to actually begin structuring your essay. Everyone works differently. Some people have no trouble thinking everything out in their head, or putting together a plan, and starting with the introduction and finishing with the conclusion.

One surefire way to make your life easier is to, in the first instance, write out an essay plan . Jotting down a plan where you create a structure, which details what your essay will cover, will save you time in the long run - so we highly recommend you do this!

When planning your essay structure, we suggest writing from the inside out and doing the body paragraphs first. Since each body paragraph is a main idea, then once you know what your main ideas are, these should come fairly easily. Then the introduction and conclusion after that.

If you're really struggling - or just curious - you can also look into the Essay Writing Service from ourselves here at Oxbridge Essays. We can put together a comprehensive essay plan for you, which maps out your essay and outlines the key points in advance, and in turn makes the writing process much easier.

One final thought to remember: good essays are not written, they are rewritten . Always go over your first draft and look for ways to improve it before handing it in.

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A typical assignment has an introduction, a main body and a conclusion. The purpose of the introduction is to signpost everything that a reader can expect from the assignment. The main body is where this will be delivered, and the conclusion provides a summary of the main points, perhaps guiding us to further reading or investigation. It might be useful to visualise the final draft of your assignment using the diagram below.

The main body is framed by an introduction that sets out your argument and a conclusion that recaps your argument and restates your thesis. The paragraphs in the main body each take a step forward in order to progress the argument.

For more in-depth information on structuring each section, click on the tabs below.

Writing an introduction can be the most difficult part of your assignment because it is where you lay out everything you will cover in what follows. The purpose of an introduction is to clearly tell the reader about the main themes and concepts in your assignment, as well as how you are going to approach them. Key to academic writing are clarity and predictability so the introduction should act as a signpost, or an essay map; after reading the introduction, the reader should understand what your essay will be about, what you are going to say, and what conclusion you will reach. The structure we suggest below will help you include and organise the key information.

The 'funnel' introduction has three distinct sections, moving from general to specific information, and guides the reader through your main argument:

General or Contextual Information:

This is where you give the background information that relates to your assignment question. You can concentrate on the broad themes that you will establish, perhaps by giving some key facts (statistics, for example) that will act as a 'hook' to interest the reader. This section is about contextualising the information you are going to discuss in the next part of your introduction.

Definitions and Key Concepts:

This part of your introduction will orientate your reader. You will need to introduce the key concepts that form the basis of your argument and let the reader know how these are related to the themes you introduce in the first part of the introduction. It might be useful to think about this section of the introduction as signalling to the reader what steps you will take to discuss those themes.

Thesis Statement:

This section will form the end of your introduction and will provide the detailed 'essay map' for your reader. You will make the main claim of your essay in the thesis statement (that is, what is the main conclusion you will reach), and you will outline the steps you are going to take to reach that conclusion (that is, what is the development of your main argument).

A common question about introductions is 'how long should they be?'. There is not a simple answer; it will depend on the length of your assignment. As a guide, lots of departments suggest that you should aim for an introduction of around 10% of your overall word count. Similarly, although the funnel structure is comprised of three parts, this does not mean that your introduction will be split into three paragraphs. How you organise it will depend on the flow of your ideas and the length of your assignment.

The paragraphs in the main body of your assignment act as building blocks for your argument. This means that their structure is crucial for enabling your reader to follow that argument.  Just as the overall structure of your assignment has a clear beginning, middle, and end, so does each paragraph. You will usually see this structure referred to as the 'topic sentence', the 'supporting sentences', and the 'summary sentence'.

Topic Sentences

The topic sentence (sometimes called the 'paragraph header') outlines what the reader can expect from the rest of the paragraph; that is, it introduces the argument you will be making and gives some indication of how you will make it. Another way to think about this is that the topic sentence tells the reader what the theme of the paragraph will be (the main idea that underpins the paragraph) and outlines the lens through which you are going to explore that theme (what you are going to say about your main idea).

It is useful for you to check that each of your topic sentences is linked in some way to the thesis statement contained in your introduction. Are you following the ideas you laid out in your thesis statement? By referring back to the thesis statement, you can make sure that your argument remains focused on answering the question (rather than drifting) and that you are covering the information you introduced at the beginning of the assignment. In some cases, the topic sentence may not introduce an argument. This occurs when the purpose of the paragraph is to provide background information or describe something. This is okay too, as long as the content of the paragraph is needed to support your thesis statement in some way.

Tip : The topic sentence may not be the first sentence in the paragraph if you include a linking sentence to your previous paragraph, but it should definitely be placed close to the start of the paragraph.

Supporting Sentences

The supporting sentences are where you put together your main argument. They develop the idea outlined in the topic sentence and contain your analysis of that idea. Your supporting sentences will usually contain your references to the literature in your discipline which you will use to build your own argument. You may also include facts and figures, counter arguments, and your judgements on how useful the literature is for your topic. The key to using supporting sentences to form a good paragraph lies in the 'Four Rs':

• Are the supporting sentences relevant ? Each of them should explore and develop the idea you have introduced in your topic sentence.
• Are they related ? Although you should not repeat the same idea throughout a paragraph, you do need to make sure that each of your supporting sentences is linked. This will help you provide multiple examples, counter arguments, and analysis of the theme of the paragraph. Think of each supporting sentence as a link in the chain of your argument.
• Are the supporting sentences in the right order ? You will need to make an active decision about the way you present the argument in the paragraph; for example, you might present your research chronologically, or perhaps you prefer to discuss the argument and then the counter argument (so grouping together the relevant pieces of information).
• And, of course, any ideas that are not your own need to be clearly referenced . Good referencing, according to the referencing style used by your department, is essential to academic integrity.

Summary Sentences

The summary sentence is important because it helps you tie together the arguments made in your supporting statements and comment on the point made in your topic sentence. This will be where you provide your reader with your judgement on the information contained in the paragraph. In that sense, the summary sentence is your conclusion for the particular point made in the paragraph – you will tell the reader why the point is important and perhaps give an indication of how it is linked to your overall thesis.

Tip : At the end of each paragraph, try asking yourself 'So What?': 'So what is the point of what I've said?'; 'so what is the conclusion I've reached based on the information included in the paragraph?'. This question will help you see whether you have been critical rather than simply descriptive.

The flow within and between paragraphs is important for a coherent structure. You can strengthen the flow by ensuring your argument proceeds logically and by using language that signals to the reader how your argument is progressing, and how you want them to interpret what you are saying:

Logical Order

Broadly following the structures outlined above will help you put together a logical paragraph structure. However, you also need to think about the flow of information in your assignment as a whole. Remember that each paragraph should make a point, discuss that point, and conclude the point before moving on to make a new point. This means that your assignment will be made up of chunks of information and it makes sense to organise those chunks in relation to each other.

Signalling Language

There are many words and phrases you can use to help your reader interpret information. If you focus on using effective transitions in your paragraphs, you will be able to better demonstrate your understanding of the relationship between the ideas you are discussing, and your writing will flow more easily. This is because your reader will be guided between points rather than having to make the links themselves. Below are some of the most common examples of transition words and phrases, though you can find many websites with further examples (university writing centres  such as this one are usually reliable sources, though remember to use your judgement):

Tip : There are other techniques you can use to improve the flow of both your argument and style. Cohesive devices like pronouns, word families, and recap words help the reader. In addition, structured reasoning can support your argument. You can find a range of courses which explore these devices in detail by going to the website for the Centre for Academic Success .

The conclusion should be easy to write because you do not have to discuss any new information (in fact, you should not introduce any new points in this part of your assignment). In reality, though, it can be a struggle to decide what to include in your conclusion. Using the framework in the diagram can help you effectively bring your argument to a close. This is an inverse structure of your introduction: in the conclusion you are moving from specific information to broader information.

In the 'Restate' section of a conclusion, it is a good idea to remind the reader of your thesis statement. You can paraphrase your thesis statement in order to remind the reader of the central claim of the assignment and how you set out to demonstrate this claim.

You can then broaden the discussion to provide a 'Recap' of your main argument. This does not mean repeating yourself; rather, you will give a brief synopsis of each part of your main argument, with a reminder of how it links to your main claim. This will help consolidate your argument in the reader's mind and confirm that you have answered your own thesis.

Finally, the 'Suggest' section can help you place your work within the wider scholarship of your discipline. You might, for example, make suggestions for further research based on gaps you have identified.

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How to Invest in Stocks: A 7-Step Guide

Step 1: set clear investment goals, step 2: determine how much you can afford to invest, step 3: determine your risk tolerance and investing style, step 4. choose an investment account, step 5: fund your stock account, step 6: pick your stocks, step 7. learn, monitor, review, best stocks for beginners, the bottom line, how to start investing in stocks in 2024.

A 7-Step Guide To Get You Trading in the Market

Yarilet Perez is an experienced multimedia journalist and fact-checker with a Master of Science in Journalism. She has worked in multiple cities covering breaking news, politics, education, and more. Her expertise is in personal finance and investing, and real estate.

• Investing: An Introduction
• Stock Market Definition
• Primary and Secondary Markets
• How to Buy/Sell Stocks
• Market Hours
• Stock Exchanges
• How to Start Investing in Stocks: A Beginner’s Guide CURRENT ARTICLE
• What Owning a Stock Means
• The Basics of Order Types
• Position Sizing
• Executing Trades
• When to Sell a Stock
• Income, Value, Growth Stocks
• Commissions
• Investing and Trading Differences
• Stocks vs. ETFs
• Stocks vs. Mutual Funds
• ETFs vs. Mutual Funds
• What Is a Bond?
• Bond Yield Definition
• Basic Bond Characteristics
• How to Buy a Bond
• Corporate Bonds
• Government Bonds
• Municipal Bonds
• Options vs. Futures
• Essential Options Trading
• Diversification
• Measuring Investment Returns
• Corporate Actions
• Stock Fundamentals
• Essentials of Analyzing Stocks
• Evaluating Company Financials
• Technical Analysis

To trade stocks, you need to set clear investment goals, determine how much you can invest, decide how much risk you can tolerate, pick an account at a broker that matches your trading style, fund your stock account, and start trading.

It can be a powerful way to grow your wealth over time. This beginner’s guide takes you through the essential steps to invest in stocks. Whether you have thousands set aside or can invest a more modest $25 a week, let's get you started.

Key Takeaways

• Investing in stocks and letting your money work for you is one way to grow your wealth.
• Investing involves a chance of losses. However, there are ways to lower your risk, though you can't eliminate it altogether.
• New investors have never had so many resources for expert advice.
• Following these seven essential steps, you’ll learn how to set clear investment goals, choose the right stocks, and understand the basics of stock investing.

Investing in stocks involves purchasing shares of ownership in a public company in the hopes of seeing the company perform well in the stock market , leading to a share price increase that makes your investment more valuable.

Investing in stocks can lead to positive financial returns if you own a stock that grows in value over time. But you also face the risk of losing money if a share price falls over time.

Begin by specifying your financial objectives. Clear goals will guide your investment decisions and help you stay focused. Consider both short-term and long-term goals, as they will affect your investment strategy.

You might have short-term goals like saving for a home or a vacation or have long-term objectives like securing a comfortable retirement or funding a child’s education. Your objectives depend on your life stage and ambitions. Younger investors tend to focus more on growth and long-term wealth accumulation, while those closer to retirement typically prefer generating income and capital preservation. The more precise you are, the better.

Tips for Setting Investment Goals:

• Be precise about your objectives : Instead of vague goals like “save for retirement,” aim for specific targets like “accumulate $500,000 in my retirement fund by age 50.”
• Determine your investment horizon : Assess how long you have to achieve each goal. Longer time horizons often allow for more aggressive investment strategies, while shorter ones may require more conservative approaches. The longer you give yourself, the less conservative you'll need to be early on.
• Evaluate your finances : Be realistic about how much you can put toward your investment goals, considering your savings, regular income, and any other financial resources.
• Rank your goals : Most of us balance several goals at once, and we have to prioritize saving for a home down payment, paying for a wedding next year, or preparing for retirement based on urgency and importance. For example, saving for a down payment on a house might take precedence over planning a vacation.
• Adapt as life changes : The phrase financial planning is best taken as a verb, not a noun. It's an ongoing process that should evolve with your needs and aspirations. You might fall in love or out of it, have many children or none of them, or realize your life’s work means moving cross country. Regularly review and adjust your goals as your life circumstances change.

The first step in any venture is the biggest, but by setting clear and precise investment goals, you'll lay a strong foundation for building your investments. This clarity will help you navigate the stock market with confidence and purpose.

Pinpointing how much you can afford to put in stocks requires a clear-eyed assessment of your finances. This step helps ensure that you are investing responsibly without endangering your financial stability.

Tips for Determining Your Investment Amount:

• Review your income sources : Begin by listing all your sources of income. Check if your employer offers investment options with tax benefits or matching funds to amplify your investments.
• Establish an emergency fund : Ensure you have a solid financial foundation before investing. Solid does not mean perfect. This fund should cover a few months' worth of major expenses, such as mortgage or rent payments and other essential bills.
• Pay off high-interest debts : Financial planners typically recommend paying down high-interest debts, such as credit card balances. The returns from investing in stocks are unlikely to outweigh the costs of high interest accumulating on these debts. Thus, scrutinize each of your debts similarly, weighing the interest payments against potential investment returns. Likely, your debts will have to come first.
• Create a budget : Based on your financial assessment, decide how much money you can comfortably invest in stocks. You also want to know if you're starting with a lump sum or smaller amounts put in over time. Your budget should ensure that you are not dipping into funds you need for expenses.

Don't worry if your funds are less than you would wish. You wouldn't berate yourself for not being ready for a race on your first day of training; so, too, with investing. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and the journey is still ahead.

Two crucial points :

• Only invest money you can afford to lose.
• Never put yourself in a financially vulnerable position for the sake of investing.

Taking these seriously is what separates investing from gambling.

Understanding your risk tolerance is a cornerstone of investing. It helps you align your comfort level with the inherent uncertainties of the stock market and financial goals.

Tips for Assessing Your Risk Tolerance

• Self-assessment : Reflect on your comfort level with the ups and downs of the stock market. Are you willing to accept higher risks for potentially greater returns, or do you prefer stability even if that means potentially less in the end?
• Consider your time horizon : Your risk tolerance often depends on your investment timeline. Longer horizons allow for more risk since you have time to recover from potential losses. Shorter timelines typically require more conservative investments.
• Gauge your financial cushion : Assess your finances, including your savings, emergency fund, and other investments. A solid financial cushion can help you take on more risk.
• Align investments with risk levels : Choose stocks and other investments that align with your risk tolerance. Examples:
• Lower risk: Dividend stocks and bonds.
• Moderate risk: Midcap and large-capitalization stocks , index funds, and exchange-traded funds.
• High risk: Small-cap stocks, growth stocks, and sector-specific investments.
• Adjust over time : Your risk tolerance may change as your finances and goals evolve. Regularly reassess your risk tolerance and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

By accurately determining your risk tolerance, you can build a portfolio that reflects your financial goals and personal comfort level, helping you navigate the stock market with more peace of mind.

Tips for Identifying Your Investing Style:

Whether you prefer a hands-on approach or a more passive strategy, understanding your investing style helps you choose the right investment methods and tools. Everyone has a different relationship with money. Some prefer an active role, meticulously pouring over every last cell on their portfolio's spreadsheets, while others opt for a set-it-and-forget-it approach. They trust their investments will grow over time if they just leave them alone.

Your style might evolve, but you'll need to start somewhere, even if your choice isn't set in stone.

Begin with a self-reflection on whether you enjoy researching and analyzing stocks or prefer a more detached approach. Here are your main choices:

1. DIY investing : If you grasp how stocks work and have the confidence to head out with minimal guidance into the market, managing the trades yourself is one option. Even DIY, there are more and less active approaches:

• Active : You use your brokerage account to access various investments, including stocks, bonds, and other assets, and trade as you wish. You'll set your goals and choose when to buy and sell.
• Passive : You use your brokerage account to buy shares in index ETFs and mutual funds. You still control which funds you purchase, but fund managers do the trading for you.

2. Professional guidance : For those who prefer a more personal approach and want more, an experienced broker or financial advisor is often invaluable. These financial professionals tailor their advice to your life experiences and goals, help you decide among the most promising stock choices, monitor your portfolio, and collaborate with you when things need changing.

You've figured out your goals, the risk you can tolerate, and how active an investor you want to be. Now, it's time to choose the type of account you'll use. Each has its own features, benefits, and drawbacks. In addition, the type of account you choose can greatly impact your tax situation, investment options, and overall strategy. You'll need to compare different brokers to find the investment account right for you.

Tips for Choosing Your Investment Account

1. Understand the different account types : In the table below, we've listed the differences between regular brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, and managed accounts. You'll want to choose one that'll work for you. We also list special accounts for education and health savings.

2. Consider the tax implications :

• Taxable accounts : These are the most common if you're trading online. Brokerage accounts don’t offer tax benefits, but there are no restrictions on contributions or withdrawals.
• Tax-deferred accounts : Contributions to traditional IRAs and 401(k)s cut taxable income, and taxes are deferred until you withdraw the money.
• Tax-free accounts : Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s are funded with after-tax dollars, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.

3. Evaluate your investment goals : Match your investment account type with your goals. For long-term retirement savings, consider tax-advantaged accounts. For short-term goals or flexible investing, a standard brokerage account might be better.

4. Scrutinize account fees, commissions, and minimums :

• Trading commissions : These are fees brokers charge when you buy or sell securities. Many brokers now offer commission-free trades for particular investments, such as stocks and ETFs.
• Account maintenance fees : Some brokerage accounts may charge annual or monthly maintenance fees, which depend on the account type and balance.
• Inactivity fees : Brokers may charge fees if your account has little or no trading activity over a certain period.
• Subscription-based models : As Generation Zers and Millennials take up a larger share of the investment space, financial advisors, planners, and brokers are adjusting. Instead of paying per transaction or for specific services, you pay a flat monthly or annual fee. Your subscription may include commission-free trades, access to research tools, and other premium support.
• Account minimums: Momentous changes in recent years have resulted from immense competition among brokerages. Many online brokers have eliminated account minimums, making it easier for more investors to get started. If you have just a few dollars to invest, you can open a brokerage account and begin trading stocks.

5. Check for added features : Some accounts offer additional features such as automatic contributions, access to financial advisors, educational resources, and more. Select an account that provides the features that fit your preferences.

• Research and analysis : Choose a broker with robust research tools, market analysis, and educational resources to help you make informed decisions.
• User-friendly trading platform : It shouldn't be glitchy or too difficult for you to use. It's best if it has real-time quotes, sophisticated charting tools, and mobile access.
• Customer service : Look for brokers that offer several customer support options, including phone, email, live chat, and in-person support if needed.
• Reputation and security : Avoid any platform that is not regulated by authorities like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Also, check that the broker employs strong security measures, such as encryption and two-factor authentication, to protect your personal and financial information.

6. Pick your broker : Brokers  are full-service, discount, or robo-advisory. A good broker will offer the tools, resources, and support you need to make informed investment decisions and manage your portfolio effectively.

• Full-service brokers : These pack an array of financial services into one offering, including financial advice for retirement, healthcare, and educational products. They might craft financial plans to help you save for college, prepare for retirement, navigate estate transitions, and tackle other major life events. This personalized service explains their typically higher fees—usually a percentage of your transaction values and assets under management. Some firms bill a yearly membership fee. To access these services, you'll typically need to invest at least $25,000, and they have traditionally catered to high-net-worth individuals.
• Discount brokers : These have much lower, if any, thresholds for access but have a typically more streamlined service that allows you to place individual trades (often for low or no commissions per trade). Most have educational materials on their sites and mobile apps. However, they may have other requirements and fees. Be sure to check on both and review our Best Online Brokers for Beginners of 2024 .
• Robo-advisors : For an automated solution, robo-advisors save money and take little effort on your part. If you select one, you won't be alone. According to Charles Schwab, 58% of Americans say they will use some sort of robo-advisor by 2025. They tend to offer fewer trading options and lack the personal approach to financial planning that's often best for long-term investing. Want to know more? See our Best Robo-Advisors of 2024 .

By this step, you've picked a broker that aligns with your investment goals and preferences or is simply the most convenient. You've also decided whether you're opening a cash account, which requires you to pay for investments in full, or a margin account, which lets you borrow when purchasing securities.

Once you've chosen a brokerage and account type, you'll open your account. This involves providing your personal information: Social Security number, address, employment details, and financial data. This shouldn't take you more than 15 minutes.

Now you'll have to fund it. Here are tips for doing so:

Tips for Funding Your Stock Account

1. Choose how you'll fund it :

• Bank transfer : The most common method is to transfer funds directly from your bank account. This can be done via electronic funds transfer or wire transfer.
• Check deposit : Some brokers allow you to mail a check to fund your account. This method can take longer but is viable if you prefer not to use electronic transfers.
• Transfer from another brokerage : If you have an existing brokerage account, you can transfer assets directly to your new account. This process, known as an ACATS transfer , is usually straightforward but may take a few days to complete.

2. Set up automatic contributions : Dollar-cost averaging involves investing a fixed amount of money at regular intervals over time, no matter what the market does. This cuts your risk of making bad decisions based on short-term market news. Most brokers let you customize the frequency and amount of your automatic contributions, making it easier to stay within your budget and keep on track with your investment goals.

3. Start investing : Once you've verified the funds are in your account (don't worry: the brokerage won't let you trade otherwise), it's time to start choosing the stocks that best fit your investment goals.

If you plan to trade frequently, check out our list of brokers for cost-conscious traders.

Even experienced investors grapple with choosing the best stocks. Beginners should look for stability, a strong track record, and the potential for steady growth. Resist the temptation to gamble on risky stocks, hoping for a quick windfall. Long-term investing is mostly slow and steady, not fast and rash.

Here are the types of stocks more likely to be solid bets when starting off:

• Blue chips : These are shares of large, well-established, and financially sound companies with a history of reliable performance. Examples include companies listed in the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500. They are typically industry leaders and offer stability during market fluctuations.
• Dividend stocks : Companies that regularly pay dividends can be a good choice for beginners. Dividends give you a regular income, which can be reinvested to buy even more stock. See How to Buy Dividend Stocks to learn more.
• Growth stocks : The greater the chances for outsized growth in a stock, the riskier investing in it will be. Beginners interested in growth stocks should target industries with long-term potential, such as technology or healthcare.
• Defensive stocks : These are in industries that tend to do well even during economic downturns, such as utilities, healthcare, and consumer goods. They will give you a buffer against market volatility as you start.
• ETFs : Traded like stocks, these track market indexes like the S&P 500, and offer instant diversification, reducing the risk associated with individual stocks. As you gain experience, you can look at funds for sectors that pique your interest, themes that meet your investment goals, or funds pooling environmental, social, and governance  stocks.

It's prudent to begin with a conservative approach, focusing on stocks or funds that offer stability and a good track record. This will give you confidence and returns to trade with as you advance in your investing knowledge.

Successful investors discover tips and strategies each passing day. As the stock market changes, staying up to date, going back to Step 1, reviewing your goals, etc., will be key. Here are tips on learning about, monitoring, and reviewing your accounts with an eye toward your goals and risk tolerance.

Tips for Learning and Monitoring Your Stocks

• Read widely and regularly : Read reputable financial news sites. Keep informed about the global economy, industry trends, and the companies you are invested in. Avoid sites and books promising easy returns or tricks, not tips, likely to redound to their benefit when you buy their courses or apps. Books on investment strategies, stock market fundamentals, and diversification are essential.
• Use stock simulators : These are platforms that enable you to practice trading stocks risk-free using virtual money. They are excellent for applying investment theories and testing strategies without risk. Investopedia 's simulator is entirely free to use.
• Learn about diversification : Having taken your beginning steps here, you'll next want to spread your investments across diverse asset classes to cut down on risk and improve your potential for returns. When you're ready, we can help you learn how to diversify your portfolio beyond stocks .

You now need to monitor your stocks and other investments. Regular reviewing and staying informed will help you adjust when necessary to keep on track with your financial goals.

Picking the right stocks can overwhelm those starting to navigate the investing world—you're starting with a blank slate, and the options are endless. Here are ideas that aren't only the best for beginners but are many times the choice of the experts managing their own portfolios:

Index funds : These are not technically stocks but funds that trade shares like them. They are passively managed funds that track the performance of a particular market index, like the S&P 500, a collection of 500 major publicly traded American companies.

These might not come with the excitement of picking a stock and seeing it take off, but index funds take what would be impractical or too expensive for a beginner and let you invest in a whole pool of them. And they do well: According to the S&P Indices Versus Active score cards, a widely respected benchmark, about 90% of actively managed funds didn't match the returns of the S&P 500 over 10 and 15-year periods. This is simple but winning information: the most effortless route might be the most profitable.

Blue chip stocks : Classic investing advice has been to buy shares of well-established, stable companies with a history of consistent growth and dividend payments. The blue chips —named for the traditional color of the highest-value poker chips—have strong brand recognition, a solid market position, and a track record of weathering economic downturns. Investing in them can provide you with stability and the potential for steady, long-term returns.

Examples include Apple ( AAPL ), known for its ubiquitous technology products and loyal customer base; JP Morgan & Chase Co ( JPM ), the banking giant; Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ), a healthcare giant that also owns manufacturers of many consumer goods; and Coca-Cola ( KO ), the soft drink maker that has distributed dividends each year since 1893.

Dividend aristocrats : Coca-Cola is not just a blue-chip stock but also belongs to a select group that has distributed and increased their dividends for at least 25 consecutive years. By investing in dividend aristocrats, beginners can benefit from the potential for rising income and the chance to reinvest the dividends for compound growth .

Examples include ExxonMobil ( XOM ), one of the world's largest oil and gas companies with a history of solid cash generation; Procter & Gamble Co. ( PG ), the consumer products multinational; and Walmart ( WMT ), the retail behemoth.

Low-volatility stocks : These companies' shares have historically had fewer price swings, providing more solidity to portfolios and, not for nothing, calm for investor heart rates. They often belong to "defensive sectors" (recession-proof parts of the economy) such as utilities, consumer staples, and healthcare.

Examples include companies we've mentioned already (Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble, etc.), as well as Berkshire Hathaway ( BRK.B ), Brystol-Myers Squibb Company ( BMY ), Duke Energy ( DUK ), and the Hershey Company ( HSY ), whose stability even during financial storms shows that the love of chocolate doesn't go away when the economy hits some bumps.

Quality factor ETFs : These invest in companies with solid balance sheets, consistent growth in earnings, and other measures of good financial health. Quality factor ETFs take a rules-based approach to selecting stocks with low debt levels, stable earnings, and high returns.

Example funds include the iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF, which holds large- and midcap U.S. stocks with solid quality characteristics, and the Invesco S&P 500 Quality ETF, which focuses on high-quality stocks within the S&P 500 index .

The potential drawback for each of these investments is that you might not see the outsized growth that riskier stocks could provide. In addition, past performance does not determine future results. If you have limited funds, this could be unappealing: more modest returns won't seem to add much when you don't have much to begin with.

However, reinvested dividends and compound growth add up. Investing is not gambling, and the reason to invest rather than go to a casino is that prudent, patient, and disciplined investing is how most investors get ahead.

How Much Money Do I Need To Start Investing in Stocks?

The amount needed depends on the brokerage firm and the investments you're interested in. Some online brokerages have no minimum deposit requirements, allowing you to start investing with a small amount of money. However, the price of individual stocks and the minimum investment for certain mutual funds or ETFs might require you to start with more of an initial investment. That said, there are many brokerages and investment options now for those starting with less to invest than there were a decade or two ago.

Are Stock Funds Good for Beginner Investors?

Stock funds, including mutual funds and ETFs that invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, are a good option for beginner investors. They offer diversification, which helps spread risk across different stocks, and are managed by professional fund managers. In addition, stock funds allow beginners to invest in a broad range of stocks with a single investment, making it easier to get started without having to pick individual stocks. While you watch your mutual fund or ETF investment over time, you will also gain experience about the ebb and flow of the stocks these funds hold, good knowledge that will help you when investing later.

What Are the Risks of Investing?

Investing is a commitment of resources now toward a future financial goal. There are many levels of risk, with certain asset classes and investment products inherently much riskier than others. It is always possible that the value of your investment will not increase over time. For this reason, a key consideration for investors is how to manage their risk to achieve their financial goals, whether short- or long-term.

Do I Have To Live in the U.S. To Open a Brokerage Account?

To open a brokerage account, you don't have to live in the U.S. Many U.S. brokerage firms accept international clients. However, the application process and requirements will differ, including the need for additional documentation, such as proof of identity and residence. There are also some investments and services regulations curtailed for those who aren't U.S. citizens, but the experience is very similar. Most major online brokerages in the U.S. accept international clients.

How Do Commissions and Fees Work?

Most brokers charge customers a commission for every trade. Due to commission costs, investors generally find it prudent to limit the total number of trades they make to avoid spending extra money on fees. Certain other types of investments, such as exchange-traded funds, may carry additional fees to cover fund management costs.

Beginners can start investing in stocks with a relatively small amount of money. You'll have to do your homework to determine your investment goals, risk tolerance, and the costs of investing in stocks and mutual funds. You'll also need to research brokers and their fees to find the one that best fits your investment style and goals. Once you do, you’ll be well-positioned to take advantage of the potential stocks have to reward you financially in the coming years.

Internal Revenue Service. " Fact Sheet on College Savings Plans ."

Internal Revenue Service. " Publication 969 (2022) ."

Jen Hollers. " Subscriptions and a Sustainable Business in Financial Planning ." Journal of Financial Planning . (August 2023.)

Securities and Exchange Commission. " How Fees and Expenses Affect Your Investment Portfolio ."

Charles Schwab. “ The Rise of Robo: Americans’ Perspectives and Predictions on the Use of Digital Advice .” Page 3.

S&P Dow Jones Indices. “ SPIVA .”

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Frequently asked questions

What is the structure of an essay.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

Frequently asked questions: Writing an essay

For a stronger conclusion paragraph, avoid including:

• Important evidence or analysis that wasn’t mentioned in the main body
• Generic concluding phrases (e.g. “In conclusion…”)
• Weak statements that undermine your argument (e.g. “There are good points on both sides of this issue.”)

Your conclusion should leave the reader with a strong, decisive impression of your work.

Your essay’s conclusion should contain:

• A rephrased version of your overall thesis
• A brief review of the key points you made in the main body
• An indication of why your argument matters

The conclusion may also reflect on the broader implications of your argument, showing how your ideas could applied to other contexts or debates.

The conclusion paragraph of an essay is usually shorter than the introduction . As a rule, it shouldn’t take up more than 10–15% of the text.

An essay is a focused piece of writing that explains, argues, describes, or narrates.

In high school, you may have to write many different types of essays to develop your writing skills.

Academic essays at college level are usually argumentative : you develop a clear thesis about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.

To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

Let’s say you’re writing a five-paragraph  essay about the environmental impacts of dietary choices. Here are three examples of topic sentences you could use for each of the three body paragraphs :

• Research has shown that the meat industry has severe environmental impacts.
• However, many plant-based foods are also produced in environmentally damaging ways.
• It’s important to consider not only what type of diet we eat, but where our food comes from and how it is produced.

Each of these sentences expresses one main idea – by listing them in order, we can see the overall structure of the essay at a glance. Each paragraph will expand on the topic sentence with relevant detail, evidence, and arguments.

The topic sentence usually comes at the very start of the paragraph .

However, sometimes you might start with a transition sentence to summarize what was discussed in previous paragraphs, followed by the topic sentence that expresses the focus of the current paragraph.

Topic sentences help keep your writing focused and guide the reader through your argument.

In an essay or paper , each paragraph should focus on a single idea. By stating the main idea in the topic sentence, you clarify what the paragraph is about for both yourself and your reader.

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the main point of a paragraph . Everything else in the paragraph should relate to the topic sentence.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

An essay isn’t just a loose collection of facts and ideas. Instead, it should be centered on an overarching argument (summarized in your thesis statement ) that every part of the essay relates to.

The way you structure your essay is crucial to presenting your argument coherently. A well-structured essay helps your reader follow the logic of your ideas and understand your overall point.

The vast majority of essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Almost all academic writing involves building up an argument, though other types of essay might be assigned in composition classes.

Essays can present arguments about all kinds of different topics. For example:

• In a literary analysis essay, you might make an argument for a specific interpretation of a text
• In a history essay, you might present an argument for the importance of a particular event
• In a politics essay, you might argue for the validity of a certain political theory

At high school and in composition classes at university, you’ll often be told to write a specific type of essay , but you might also just be given prompts.

Look for keywords in these prompts that suggest a certain approach: The word “explain” suggests you should write an expository essay , while the word “describe” implies a descriptive essay . An argumentative essay might be prompted with the word “assess” or “argue.”

In rhetorical analysis , a claim is something the author wants the audience to believe. A support is the evidence or appeal they use to convince the reader to believe the claim. A warrant is the (often implicit) assumption that links the support with the claim.

Logos appeals to the audience’s reason, building up logical arguments . Ethos appeals to the speaker’s status or authority, making the audience more likely to trust them. Pathos appeals to the emotions, trying to make the audience feel angry or sympathetic, for example.

Collectively, these three appeals are sometimes called the rhetorical triangle . They are central to rhetorical analysis , though a piece of rhetoric might not necessarily use all of them.

The term “text” in a rhetorical analysis essay refers to whatever object you’re analyzing. It’s frequently a piece of writing or a speech, but it doesn’t have to be. For example, you could also treat an advertisement or political cartoon as a text.

The goal of a rhetorical analysis is to explain the effect a piece of writing or oratory has on its audience, how successful it is, and the devices and appeals it uses to achieve its goals.

Unlike a standard argumentative essay , it’s less about taking a position on the arguments presented, and more about exploring how they are constructed.

You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.

If you have to hand in your essay outline , you may be given specific guidelines stating whether you have to use full sentences. If you’re not sure, ask your supervisor.

When writing an essay outline for yourself, the choice is yours. Some students find it helpful to write out their ideas in full sentences, while others prefer to summarize them in short phrases.

You will sometimes be asked to hand in an essay outline before you start writing your essay . Your supervisor wants to see that you have a clear idea of your structure so that writing will go smoothly.

Even when you do not have to hand it in, writing an essay outline is an important part of the writing process . It’s a good idea to write one (as informally as you like) to clarify your structure for yourself whenever you are working on an essay.

Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:

• The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
• The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.

It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.

Your subjects might be very different or quite similar, but it’s important that there be meaningful grounds for comparison . You can probably describe many differences between a cat and a bicycle, but there isn’t really any connection between them to justify the comparison.

You’ll have to write a thesis statement explaining the central point you want to make in your essay , so be sure to know in advance what connects your subjects and makes them worth comparing.

Some essay prompts include the keywords “compare” and/or “contrast.” In these cases, an essay structured around comparing and contrasting is the appropriate response.

Comparing and contrasting is also a useful approach in all kinds of academic writing : You might compare different studies in a literature review , weigh up different arguments in an argumentative essay , or consider different theoretical approaches in a theoretical framework .

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

If you’re not given a specific prompt for your descriptive essay , think about places and objects you know well, that you can think of interesting ways to describe, or that have strong personal significance for you.

The best kind of object for a descriptive essay is one specific enough that you can describe its particular features in detail—don’t choose something too vague or general.

If you’re not given much guidance on what your narrative essay should be about, consider the context and scope of the assignment. What kind of story is relevant, interesting, and possible to tell within the word count?

The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to reflect on a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

Don’t worry too much if your topic seems unoriginal. The point of a narrative essay is how you tell the story and the point you make with it, not the subject of the story itself.

Narrative essays are usually assigned as writing exercises at high school or in university composition classes. They may also form part of a university application.

When you are prompted to tell a story about your own life or experiences, a narrative essay is usually the right response.

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

An expository essay is a common assignment in high-school and university composition classes. It might be assigned as coursework, in class, or as part of an exam.

Sometimes you might not be told explicitly to write an expository essay. Look out for prompts containing keywords like “explain” and “define.” An expository essay is usually the right response to these prompts.

An expository essay is a broad form that varies in length according to the scope of the assignment.

Expository essays are often assigned as a writing exercise or as part of an exam, in which case a five-paragraph essay of around 800 words may be appropriate.

You’ll usually be given guidelines regarding length; if you’re not sure, ask.

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