How to Structure a Clear Essay

Most of us learned some basic rules of writing in high school. Most of us thought those rules were stupid, constricting tools invented by teachers to hold us down and stifle our innate creativity. In the real world, though, I'm constantly amazed at number of publications I read whose authors clearly were not sure what their point was and whose examples seem random and useless. I'd be the first to agree that all rules should be subject to scrutiny. However, the whole point of writing something is to communicate with someone else, and those basic rules of structure and grammar can be invaluable tools. This lesson will outline a basic essay structure that I learned from the inestimable Dr. East in 10th grade. It's a simple formula: introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion. We'll talk about what goes in each section and why. This format will get you through everything from your high-school paper on bird imagery in The Awakening to your newest publication on federal policy or your newest pitch to your board. If you use it, you and your reader will know exactly what your point is and exactly why that point is compelling and correct.

The essay we'll be talking about in this lesson is a five-paragraph short essay, high-school style. However, this same structure can apply to long essays and even books. A longer essay works like a fractal: it has the same structure at the macro-level as it does at the micro level. For example, the first section of the first paragraph is where you establish relevance. If you are writing a book, the "relevance" section might be a chapter in itself. This is the macro level. That chapter, however, should have it's very own "relevance" section, followed by the "agenda" section, followed by your thesis, followed by a supporting point, and so on.  At any level, this structure will help you produce a clear, solidly-constructed argument.

If you don't use this format or one similar to it, be sure you have a good reason. Good reasons do not include "it sounds better," or "that's the way I say it when I talk to people," or "I didn't think about it," or even, "my boss said to do it this way." Jobs come and go. Good logic endures forever. The only good reason is "saying it this way makes my point better." A story, a poem, a skit, a cartoon, a song, a business plan, a news story or a series of jokes might actually work better than this essay format. If you choose another structure, just keep asking yourself the same questions we'll ask throughout this lesson: "What's my thesis?" and "How does this help prove my thesis?" If you and your reader can answer those questions, break all the rules you like. If the answers are unclear - well, a little structure never hurt anyone.


The Shape of Your Argument

A clear essay is a lot easier to draw than write. It consists of an upside-down triangle, three rectangles, and a right-side-up triangle:
 

(If you can't read the text on this picture, take a look at the attached PDF; the resolution is significantly better.)

Each shape represents one paragraph in a five-paragraph essay. We'll go through this picture one shape at a time.


Upside-Down Triangle: Introduction

The first shape, the upside-sown triangle, is your introduction. This is the paragraph where you tell people why you bothered to write this essay, what it's about, and what point you are going to convince them of.

The first part of the introduction establishes the relevance of your essay - why you are going to the trouble to write this. Here, you prepare your reader for what they are about to read. A rookie mistake here is to make the relevance too broad. For instance, if you are writing an essay that argues that Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice is illustrates the conflict and resolution between a religious and a capitalist world view, don't start by saying "People have always debated which is more important, God or money." You want to show why your thesis statement is relevant, so make sure your first sentence isn't too far from where you're going. A statement like, "In Shakespeare's time, England was opening to international trade and exploration for the first time. In Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare grapples with the changing pressures on English society," actually establishes relevance more effectively. Make sure this first sentence pulls the reader in, but be honest in preparing them for what they are about to read.

The second part of the introduction is the agenda. This is where you tell your reader what they are about to read. This sounds boring, but it's critical. Introducing evidence you'll bring up in your paper shows that your point, whatever it is, is going to be well-supported. It also prepares the reader for the kind of paper they will be reading. For example, if you are arguing that the Merchant of Venice is about the conflict between capitalism and Christian values, you'll probably want to say something like, "Through the role of wealth in Bassanio and Portia's relationship, in the relationships between fathers and daughters, and in the final court settlement, Shakespeare illustrates the conflict between capitalism and charity."

The agenda achieves two things. First, it lets your reader know you know wheat you are talking about. If this paper started, "Through the bill from my veterinarian, the clearcut on my drive to work, and the new cars in the church parking lot, we see that compassion and profit are at odds in the world, and therefore in Shakespeare's work," I probably wouldn't read it expecting an academic paper about a play. Second, the agenda section makes sure you pull the reader through from argument to argument. You can't remind people often enough that each of your supporting points is related to your overall point. This is your first chance to do that.

The last, and most important, part of your introduction is your thesis. Your thesis is your point. State it boldly. Don't use "I think," or "This paper will show," or any other qualifying statement. Your reader knows they are reading what you think and what this paper shows. Likewise, don't make it too broad. Make sure this is actually what your paper is about. Everything in the essay needs to relate directly to this sentence. This is the most important sentence of your entire essay. Make it clear, exact, and unafraid. 


Rectangle, Rectangle, Rectangle: Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs are the meat of your essay. They back up your thesis with evidence. Each paragraph has a supporting point. These points are the little min-theses that support your big thesis. You made a short list of these in the agenda part of your introduction. Often, the supporting points get left out of a paper because writers assume their readers will infer them from the evidence. Never assume this. Your readers are smart and obviously interested in what you have to say. However, it's your job, not theirs, to make your point.

Back up each of your supporting points with at least three pieces of evidence. Present a piece of evidence, say where it came from and what it means, and then move on the next one. In an English paper, evidence is usually quotations. In a proposal, it is usually statistics or findings from other research. In a pitch by a car salesman, it would be specific features of each car.

The most common mistake people make with evidence is just leaving it hanging without saying what it means or or where it came from. A long list of statistics or a quotation hanging out in the air can be confusing. It jolts the reader out of the flow of your argument. Your introduction and explanation can be less than one sentence long, but they are critical. For example if I am presenting a quotation from Shakespeare's play as evidence, I might say, "In the courtroom scene, Portia argues, "The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven," illustrating the generous and gentle nature of compassion." This shows your reader how your evidence relates to the supporting point.

Three body paragraphs is a good rule for a minimum length. Three supporting points and nine pieces of evidence illustrate your point fairly solidly. As you move from one body paragraph to the next, don't forget your transitions. These show your reader how each point relates to the next. Transitions make sure your little rectangular body paragraphs stack solidly on top of each other instead of wobbling around like a badly built wall. A car salesman might say, "Not only does this Volvo have room for your family, but it's got a reliable engine." An English student might say. "The idea of money's opposition to love shows up in the casket scene as well." In general, the transition goes at the end of the paragraph, but you can also put it at the beginning of the next paragraph if it fits better there.


Triangle: Conclusion

The conclusion is, in essence, your introduction upside down. You remind readers of the point you have just finished proving, remind them why you are right, and remind them why your paper is relevant to their interests. First, you restate the thesis. Don't reuse the same exact sentence, but make the same exact point. Once again, be bold. Finish with a flourish. Remember, you have just brilliantly defended this thesis. Then restate your agenda. Remind your reader of the points that support your thesis. Finally, restate the relevance of your thesis. The conclusion tells the reader everything they need to remember: what you said, how you justified it, and why it matters.


The Geometry of Proving a Point

Writing is an intensely personal process, even business writing and scholarly writing. While structure can feel constricting, it can be an invaluable tool to help you get your point across. This essay format is not designed to chain your thoughts into an oddly shaped cage. It helps you organize you thoughts in a bulletproof way and helps you explain those thoughts clearly to others. Used correctly, it can actually help you achieve that personal expression you are striving for. When you finish writing an upside-down triangle, three rectangles and a triangle, you will have addressed an issue that matters, stated your opinion on it, and supported that opinion with clear evidence. In other words, you're right, and you know it.