How do I structure an essay?

Answer 1

The previous tutors provided excellent answers to the overall structure of an essay.

For additional help with body paragraphs, please consider the PIE method:

P- point

I- illustration

E- explanation

PIE Method Paragraph Structure:

Point- make a point or claim (be argumentative, succinct, and

specific) -- sometimes referred to as reasons, which are derived

from the thesis statement

Illustrate- show evidence from a source to prove the

point with a citation, quote, paraphrase, or example

Explanation- write about HOW or WHY the illustration

proves the point

Explanation again- go deeper, analyze the illustration

Explain more if necessary, to make sure the reader fully understands

Closing Statements- return to the point, ask yourself so what?

 

***(Keep in mind, explanation is the most important part of the paragraph because it shows analysis, which makes up most of your grade).***

 

1.    Explain the quote or illustration

2.    Explain the important subjects

3.    Explain an explanation so the reader fully understands

Body Paragraph 1 Example with Headers:

Point: Americans should stop being selfish and hoarding all of the toilet paper. Illustration: According to a recent study by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, "People who feel more threatened by the pandemic stockpile more toilet paper. Given that stockpiling is objectively unrelated to saving lives or jobs during a health crisis, this finding supports the notion that toilet paper functions as a purely subjective symbol of safety.” Explanation 1: Clearly, Americans feel threatened by the novel coronavirus so they feel like they need to stockpile normal necessities like toilet paper even though it has nothing to do with the respiratory or immune system, which is directly impacted by the coronavirus. Explanation 2: However, since Americans have never experienced an airborne virus in recent memory, we are all scared. Explanation 3: Therefore, toilet paper acts as a symbol of safety to make us feel more secure. Closing Statement: Hopefully, we learn from this pandemic and start to care about our community. We are only as safe and healthy as our community.  

I hope this helps with understanding more about the body paragraph structure and the importance of explanations. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know.

Answer 2

Great question! Many people use a five paragraph essay structure, where each paragraph is as follows:

Paragraph 1: Your Introduction

You should include your thesis statement in this paragraph and provide a preview of your main points.

Paragraphs 2-4: Body paragraphs

Each paragraph should build a different point in support of your thesis. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that explains what the main argument of the paragraph is. Then, to build each of your points, you should present evidence (quotes, statistics, etc.) and analyze how each piece of evidence supports your argument. Don't forget to cite your sources of evidence in a bibliography at the end of your paper!

Paragraph 5: Conclusion

This is an opportunity to review your main points and discuss the greater significance of your findings.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any additional questions.

Answer 3

For a standard five paragraph essay, you would start with an introduction paragraph. Include your topic sentence in this paragraph, and the last sentence of this paragraph should be your thesis statement. I recommend structuring your thesis statement with a claim and three reasons. For example,

" In Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s short story, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” the theme of feminism is demonstrated with the fictional elements of setting, conflict, and symbolism."

Then you would write 3 body paragraphs, each one focusing on one of three reasons you listed. Be sure to include evidence.

Finally your conclusion paragraph, restate your initial claim and any strong points you made along the way. Conclude your reasons.