This essay structure is ideal if you’re writing about:


University essays differ from school essays in that they are less concerned with what you know and more concerned with how you construct an argument to answer the question. This means that the starting point for writing a strong essay is to first unpick the question and to then use this to plan your essay before you start putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard).


A really good starting point for you are these short, downloadable and resources. Both resources will help you to plan your essay, as well as giving you guidance on how to distinguish between different sorts of essay questions.

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This resource covers key considerations when writing an essay.

An essay that makes good, evidence-supported points will only receive a high grade if it is written clearly. Clarity is produced through careful revision and editing, which can turn a good essay into an excellent one.

You may find it helpful to watch this seven-minute video on six tips for essay writing which outlines how to interpret essay questions, as well as giving advice on planning and structuring your writing:

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.


My essay has an interesting and informative title.

The body of your essay should be written in paragraphs. Each body paragraph should develop one main idea that supports your argument. To learn how to structure a paragraph, look at the page .

Strong paragraphs are essential to a well-written essay.

Academic essays at college level are usually : you develop a clear about your topic and make a case for your position using evidence, analysis and interpretation.

Short videos to support your essay writing skills

Knowing how to structure an essay can get you past this seemingly insurmountable first step because it gives you a clear skeleton upon which to flesh out your thoughts.

Tips on writing longer pieces of work

Essays need an introduction to establish and focus the parameters of the discussion that will follow. You may find it helpful to divide the introduction into areas to demonstrate your breadth and engagement with the essay question. You might define specific terms in the introduction to show your engagement with the essay question; for example, ‘This is a large topic which has been variously discussed by many scientists and commentators. The principal tension is between the views of X and Y who define the main issues as…’ Breadth might be demonstrated by showing the range of viewpoints from which the essay question could be considered; for example, ‘A variety of factors including economic, social and political, influence A and B. This essay will focus on the social and economic aspects, with particular emphasis on…..’

Experience the future of academic writing –

I hope this helps some of you in your writing process. It’s important to remember, however, that everyone writes differently, and there are a million ways to write an essay. This is simply the method that works for me. I’d love to read how you guys approach essays in the comments!

How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates - Scribbr

Submit your essay. You’re done! Congratulate yourself, because every completed essay is an achievement. You probably won’t be happy with the final piece, but don’t worry – we are our own worst critics. Remember that if you’ve been diligent in your research, thorough in your planning, and careful in your writing, you stand a good chance of getting a good grade.