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
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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