organization

The following is a guide to help you if you are not sure what to write or where to put your idea in your essay.

Elements of a composition class essay:

TITLE – (required: perhaps a two-part academic title consisting of a “hook” and a “focus”)

EPIGRAPH – (optional: a suggestive quote that frames / suggests / is a starting point for your argument)

I. INTRODUCTION (required: 1-4 are optional, but try to include at least one element)

  1. (INTERESTING OPENING/HOOK to introduce the topic)
  2. (RATIONALE for writing – why is it important to discuss this topic now?)
  3. (BACKGROUND/CONTEXT of the topic, perhaps historical or an academic controversy about it)
  4. (DEFINITION/S of any key terms on which the argument of the essay depends)
    • DO NOT GIVE DETAILED ARGUMENTS OR SUPPORT YET – WAIT FOR THE BODY!
  5. A clear and concise THESIS STATEMENT of your arguments A1, A2, A3 … An

II. MAIN BODY PARAGRAPHS (required: three or four well-developed body paragraphs)

  1. A TOPIC SENTENCE clearly stating YOUR argument
  2. SUPPORT details, explanations, and/or examples to support your argument. At least one of these should quote / paraphrases a reputable source.
  3. A CONCLUDING SENTENCE linking the support to your argument and thesis / transitioning to the next paragraph

III. CONCLUSION (required: 3-6 are optional, but try to include at least one element)

  1. RESTATEMENT OF THESIS (in different words)
  2. brief SUMMARY of your 3 (or more) main points
    • DO NOT ADD NEW SUPPORTING DETAILS HERE – PUT THEM IN THE BODY!
  3. (RECOMMENDATIONS for behaviour, action, policy or research)
  4. (PREDICTIONS about future outcomes/changes)
  5. (FINAL THOUGHT about the topic, artfully expressed)
  6. (REFER BACK to the opening of the essay)

REFERENCE LIST – (required: a full list of all the sources you used to support your essay)

N.b.:

  • This guide CANNOT be used as a template for writing all possible essays at university, but simply describes requirements for my course.
  • See also the FAE Writing Criteria notes on “Organizational Structure” (Bilkent students only)