Organization and Structure
One important way to make sure that your writing is clear and persuasive is to structure and organize your essay in a logical way. In other words, your paragraphs must be arranged in a way that makes sense, have internal cohesion, and flow from one to another smoothly. A reader must be able to follow your thinking over the course of the piece of writing.
In order to accomplish this, organized essays will usually contain an introductory paragraph to kick things off, a conclusion paragraph to wrap up, and several body paragraphs in between.
Introductions
An introductory paragraph belongs at the very beginning of an essay. The main functions of an introductory paragraph are to:
- Grab the reader’s attention with a compelling or thought-provoking quote, fact, anecdote, or argument
- Provide background information on the topic you are discussing, just enough for the reader to follow
- Provide a “road map” of the essay that follows (lay out how the essay will be organized)
- Clearly state the thesis or main argument of the essay, usually at the end of the paragraph
Some writers like to wait and write their introductory paragraph after they’ve finished writing all the other paragraphs. At that point in the writing process, their ideas have usually become clearer and more focused.
Conclusions
The conclusion paragraph is the final paragraph in an essay or paper, and it wraps up your discussion and gives the reader a sense of closure. Strong conclusions do the following:
- Restate the main thesis or argument of the paper, but in a new and interesting way, as well as the key points/takeaways of the paper
- Give the reader an idea of what is at stake, why the content of your paper is important in the first place
- Broaden the topic to comment on its larger significance in the world, or suggest future action
- Give the reader a sense of completion and finality by leaving them with a lasting thought
A conclusion should avoid a simple, verbatim restatement of the introduction or thesis. Instead, give your reader a new way of thinking about the topic you’ve just covered. Also try to avoid the phrase “in conclusion,” which is overused.
Body Paragraphs
The body of an essay is the core section that develops and supports the main thesis with focused analysis, evidence, and well-researched argumentation. Each body paragraph should have its own main idea, along with evidence/support and a transition sentence.
Five-Paragraph Essay
One common, straightforward way to organize your paper is to utilize the “five-paragraph essay” form. This structure can help you present a clear, well-organized argument that any reader can follow. Here’s a complete breakdown of how such a paper is organized.
Further Reading
- How to Structure and Organize Your Paper (University of Washington)
- Writing Paragraphs (UNC Chapel Hill)
- Strong Body Paragraphs (University of Washington)
- Introductions and Conclusions (Piedmont Virginia Community College)