Basic ‘Keyhole’ Essay Structure
Introduction
Thesis Statement and
Signposting (‘First, I
will note X. Second, I
will argue Y…’)
Move from the general to the specific,
and make intro punchy to capture reader
attention; frame the argument; roughly
10% of word count
Body of Essay (80% of word count, roughly)
Arg #1 – Topic Sentence – introduce first part of argument with topic sentence that
refers back to thesis
Arg #2 – Topic sentence – as above; arguments need to be logically sound, to show
knowledge of the topic, and to be supported with appropriate evidence
Etc…
Restate thesis
Conclusion
Move from specific back to more
general conclusions; 10% of word
count, roughly
General advice:
• Buy a writing guide – see LMS tab on ‘How to Write’
• Use peer-reviewed academic sources – need to be able to distinguish good/bad sources; journals &
book presses found on reading list a guide (avoid e.g. the ‘Mississauga Journal of World Affairs’)
• Do not use subheadings for quite short essays – breaks up text too much
• Make an argument in the essay - support the argument with evidence
• Use literature to show you know the main arguments and to show how you are engaging with them
• Proof-read!! And get a friend to read over as well to check for clarity