Academic Essays: form and function

Essays have a particular structure, and understanding this can improve your writing

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The structure of a
1000–3000 word essay
Introduction

10% of
 Overview of topic area
word count
 Problem/issue presented by the focus
of the question
 Definitions of key words or themes (if
no separate definition paragraph)
 Thesis statement, perhaps with
Defining terms rationale, perhaps with “roadmap”
Sometimes, if there are
many key words and
concepts to define and
explain, it is useful to have
an entire paragraph doing Body
that job, rather than doing it
in the introduction. Try to The number of body paragraphs in an
keep it to 150–200 words. essay varies, but for a 1500 word essay,
you could expect to have approximately
4–8, of about 150–250 words each. Most
body paragraphs will include:

 A topic sentence that advances the

argument
 Evidence
 Examples
 Clarifications
 Qualifications
 Implications for overall argument
 Sometimes a gesture towards topic of
next paragraph

Conclusion

Repeat as  Strong, clear, concise restatement of

needed argument
 Reference to insights and key
themes/concepts in essay
 Perhaps reference to question wording
150–200  No new material or quotations
words
Personal vs. academic essays The introduction
Essays are pieces of writing that creatively and The introduction has many jobs to do in a very short
engagingly discuss a given topic – generally to space. You need to move efficiently from an overview
persuade the reader to accept a particular point of of the topic area, to an articulation of the issue
view, position, or way of understanding. However, suggested by the focus of the question, to a summary
students should remember that broadly speaking of the argument in one concise sentence (the thesis
there are two types of essay – the “personal” and the statement). You may also define key terms and point
“academic”. You are expected to write academic to key themes or ideas that will appear throughout
essays at university. You will find a personal essay in, the essay. The thesis statement normally comes near
for example, a book of “great essays” or in The New the end of the introduction. As well as summarising
York Times. A personal essay is usually an the argument, it may also include a brief statement of
individual’s reflections on a topic; its focus will often the logic behind that argument. It will often be
seem to drift to and fro, and it may not state its ideas accompanied by a “road-map” of the essay – a
very directly. A personal essay will often imply or suggestion of the topics that will be covered as the
suggest, not stating its point of view explicitly, nor logical path of the argument is followed. By the end
explaining the connections between its ideas. of the introduction, readers should have a good sense
of where the essay is going; for this reason, many
An academic essay should never be suggestive in
writers find it easier to craft their introduction last.
this way, and that is one of the main differences
between the two types of essay. An academic essay The body
needs to be very explicit about its subject matter,
about its way of interpreting that subject matter (its The body of an essay is made up of as many
argument), and about the interconnections between paragraphs as is appropriate to its size. Each
all the ideas that make up its argument. Indeed, the paragraph should deal with one identifiable point or
main structural components of an academic essay – subpoint. That point – or the topic of the paragraph –
its introduction and thesis statement, its body should be clear from the topic sentence, which is
paragraphs, topic sentences,and conclusion – usually the first sentence of the paragraph. This is
all ensure that the writer is being clear about his/her very important for students new to essay writing:
argument and its progression. paragraphs should focus on your argument, not
merely on the topic of the essay. That is, a
Other differences between personal and academic paragraph’s opening sentence should not present
essays concern the style and tone of the writing. facts (evidence or examples), but should be a
There is less freedom of expression in an academic statement of understanding that will require evidence
essay: you are expected to follow academic rules of and examples to support it. The remainder of the
grammar and punctuation without improvising; very paragraph will provide such evidence and examples,
short or over-long paragraphs are discouraged; and will clarify and discuss the implications for the
information and quotations from other sources must overall argument of the point being made. Ordering
be referenced according to strict protocols; informal, paragraphs in an essay – finding an appropriate
colloquial language and contractions are structure to present the various points – is a complex
inappropriate; and the use of first-person pronouns art, and there are no straightforward rules because
– I and we – is usually not acceptable, especially in every essay is different.
the more scientific disciplines.
Despite these restrictions, however, there is still
The conclusion
considerable art in writing a good academic essay. An essay’s final paragraph is the conclusion. By this
Mostly this is a matter of organising your ideas into a point, you will be most clear in your own mind about
structure that most logically, simply, and your argument, and now is the time to restate it in a
compellingly leads the reader to an understanding of new and vigorous manner. It is also useful to refer to
your overall point of view or argument. An academic the various important themes and concepts that have
essay’s essential structural components, mentioned appeared in the essay, and to allude to the more
above, provide a very basic but necessary framework general implications of the argument you have
for the delicate task of structuring each unique essay. presented. The conclusion should not introduce any
idea that has not already been addressed in the body
of the essay.