Essay Structure
An academic essay is supposed to be clear and orderly in its idea presentation to make an argument comprehensible. Each fresh idea should be made at a time and in an order, which makes sense to the reader. Consequently, a well-structured essay is one of the best ways to get readers to read your piece. Usually, the type of essay you are writing determines its structure. The structure will then dictate how information flows in the article. With all said, it should follow the logic of the reader.
- The Parts of an Essay
An essay is made up of different kinds of information, depending on what you are writing. The information should be well placed in sections that fit them. Therefore, the various parts like the introduction, body paragraph, and conclusion, all have specific information.
You introduce your argument in the introduction section, then analyze it with data and facts in the body paragraph. This is where you submit background materials, including historical events, and then agree or make a counterargument. You then summarize everything in the concluding section.
- Mapping an Essay
To be able to structure your essay according to what the reader expects, then you need to examine your thesis and step in the readers' shoes as to what they need to know and the order they want it. Doing this makes you feel confident in coming out with a masterpiece. However, you cannot achieve this without mapping your essay. You can plan your ideas by writing them down. This will then serve as a buffer, which you will resort to when short of ideas.
Mapping also helps you to structure the essay according to your readers’ expectations. So, you can determine where they expect the background information, primary and counter-arguments, among others. Essay maps are not much related to the paragraphs but with the sections. They try to predict or direct your major arguments, so your reader can guess what follows. Your map can follow the following
- Start with your thesis
The thesis statement is an essential aspect of your essay. The thesis should be in a sentence or two. You then follow it with another sentence, which explains the claims, and why it matters. Afterward, state what the readers stand to benefit or learn by agreeing with your views.
- Your next sentence matters
After grabbing your reader’s attention to read more, start to build a connection with them. Tell yourself, “my readers need to know….”. Your next sentence should persuade readers by citing examples and backing your claims with facts. You present the standpoint and then tell the readers what they need to know to accept it. Continue by providing enough evidence to build your case. On the other hand, you can go straight by giving background information about your subject.
- Follow up with another strong sentence
In your next sentence, continue to present more facts and state why they matter by asking yourself what readers need to know. You will continue this on and on until you complete the mapping.
In your mapping, remember to answer the question of what, how, and why?