AIC LSU Student Resources ESSAY WRITING What is an essay? Structure - Introduction - Body - Conclusion - Basic Essay Structure Standard conventions (presentation) Tips Essay checklist What is an essay? An essay is a piece of writing that allows you to develop ideas and arguments using a logical sequence of interrelated paragraphs. Unlike reports, essays usually do not contain any headings, lists (bullet points) or diagrams. Rather they depend on direct links from one paragraph to the next in order to gradually build the argument and justify the point of view. Essay structure Before beginning an essay, there are several planning steps that need to be undertaken. Do not attempt to begin writing without having first done the planning and research as you will find that your essay will have little to say and will lack organisation and structure. Academic writing requires you to develop your ideas with reference to evidence and the arguments of expert authors in the field. In an essay you need to support your opinion by discussing the opinions of experts. To find these expert opinions, you need to research. An essay is made up of four key parts: • Introduction (beginning) – This is the first paragraph (approximately 10% of the length of the essay). • Body (middle) – These paragraphs develop the main idea and provide supporting arguments and evidence. • Conclusion (end) –This is the last paragraph (approximately 10% of the length of the essay). • Reference List Each part of the essay plays an important role in its overall effect. Note however that although an essay must have these four parts, you should not put headings for any section except the Reference List. The first and last paragraphs should automatically serve as the introduction and conclusion and therefore everything in between constitutes the body. Basic Essay Structure Introduction (approx 10% of word count) Paragraph
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