HOW TO STRUCTURE AN ESSAY – SOME SUGGESTIONS:
Remember that there is not one correct way to structure an essay! The following are
suggestions that you may find helpful.
Sample qu: ‘How Successful Was Luther’s Reformation?’
PLAN
When planning, it can be helpful to:
1) Underline & define key words in qu.
‘How successful’: ....
‘Luther’s Reformation: ...
2) Jot down what theme each paragraph will be dealing with.
e.g.
Paragraph 1: ‘eradicating spiritual apathy’
Paragraph 2: ‘eradicating incorrect doctrine’
Paragraph 3: ‘eradicating clerical corruption’
ESSAY
Introduction
This is one good way to structure your introduction:
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Start with a “hook”.
Provide one or two precise sentences of wider context.
Summarise key terms in the qu.
Summarise historiographical debate.
Summarise in one or two sentences the key argument of your essay.
Summarise (in the right order!!) the areas you’ll be looking at in your argument.
Paragraphs
This is one good way to structure each paragraph:
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Summarise argument of paragraph in one sentence.
Lay out the historiographical debate on this theme. E.g. ‘X argues this’, ‘Y argues’ that.
Try to identify the strengths and weaknesses in these different historians’ approaches.
Now say what you argue i.e. what is your approach. Present your argument by making
clear points which you back up with concise pieces of detailed evidence.
Summarise argument of paragraph again in one sentence.
Conclusion
This is one good way to structure your conclusion:
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Summarise overall argument of your essay in one sentence.
Then summarise, in one sentence each, the argument of each of your paragraphs.
If you can, finish with something that makes your essay sparkle e.g. a striking example
from a primary source that encapsulates your argument.