An essay is a type of text that analyses, evaluates and interprets a particular topic, either for academic purposes, or for personal interest. It's a literary genre, so it can include poetry, fiction or drama. Furthermore, essays usually consist of a specific structure. If you're interested in this topic, check out our article at oneHOWTO on how to write an essay.
Essays should begin with a clear introduction followed by supporting paragraphs and end with a conclusion. This is, broadly speaking, is the essential structure for identifying and writing an essay.
Before beginning an essay, it is advisable to brainstorm, and then write down your outline: Write down your thesis, and the main point of each paragraph. Make sure that the points that each paragraph makes is distinct so that there is no overlap of information between articles.
The introduction of an essay is one of the most important elements in which the author will establish what the topic is, present their thesis and the main points of their argument. It represents 10% of the essay, and therein, may pose problems of the subject matter, the author's reflections or, other authors' work, etc.
Your thesis should be well thought out and delivered. Remember that this is the focal point of the entire essay. That is, your essay should support and prove your thesis statement, and not go off topic.
In the supporting paragraphs, the author describes and analyses the topic they have chosen. They present their ideas and arguments, based on other sources, such as magazines, interviews, books and even online sources. It's the largest section, occupying 80% of the essay. Furthermore, in the first and last sentence of each supporting paragraph, it is necessary to synthesise and summarise the content of the paragraph.
You should make sure that your paragraphs remain relevant and to the point. You should not digress from the thesis subject.
It's in the supporting paragraphs that the author develops their thesis, supported as stated above, by their own opinions and data taken from other sources, during research for the essay. Always ensure to reference the sources of the information obtained, and place quotes on phrases that are directly taken from an outside source. Not referencing your ideas is considered plagiarism and can have very serious consequences.
Be sure to have at least three supporting paragraphs, each with a different subject.
Finally, there's the conclusion, the section where the idea or the main points of the essay are summarised. In addition to summing up the main idea of the essay, you may want to bring up one or two statements that you wish to distinguish from the rest.
Thus, the conclusion should clearly demonstrate the author's position, and list the most important arguments presented in the supporting paragraphs. If you wish, you can end the essay on a completely different, but very related note.
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