This document provides guidance on structuring an essay. It recommends that an introduction paragraph provide background on the topic and include a thesis statement. The main body should explore the thesis in depth with supporting evidence from credible sources, including quotations and citations. An example main body paragraph is given that expands on a thesis, provides an example to support a claim, and includes a quotation from a critic agreeing with the point. The conclusion should bring closure by summarizing the main points. A works cited section lists references.

1. Structuring your essay
English

2. Introduction
• One paragraph (for shorter essays)
• Gives the reader general information about your topic, such as
background
• Leads to the thesis statement

3. Introduction
Example:
J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series and J. R. R. Tolkien’s The
Lord of the Rings trilogy are among the bestselling works of
fantasy literature. Both series have had wide appeal and been
adapted into profitable films. However, much of fantasy
literature, such as Harry Potter and The Lord of the
Rings, features an over-simplistic binary of good
versus evil, which reduces its characters to one-
dimensional didactic devices.

4. Main Body
In the body of your essay, you should:
Explore your thesis in-depth
Avoid simply repeating your thesis without elaborating
Provide concrete supporting evidence from credible sources
Include quotations and citations
Discuss quotations and how they relate to your thesis statement
and support your argument
Assume your reader has already read/watched the material
Avoid simply summarizing the text

5. Main Body
 Example:
 Thesis: Much of fantasy literature, such as Harry Potter and The Lord
of the Rings, features an over-simplistic binary of good versus evil,
which reduces its characters to one-dimensional didactic devices.
Despite their popular appeal, Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings are
unsuccessful in terms of characterization. This is primarily due to the
good versus evil plot device, which transforms the characters into
one-dimensional figures of either good or evil. For instance, little
insight is given into the internal lives of Tolkien’s evil characters, and
they become an essentially homogeneous group defined simply by
their label as ‘evil.’ As Hourihan says, “Nor is Sauron himself more
than a cipher. He has no discernible motivation […] Neither Sauron
nor his servants the Orcs provide any insights into the nature of
institutionalized or individual evil […] The Lord of the Rings simply
reasserts the traditional dualisms” (34).
Thesis statement is expanded upon
Example given to support claim of one-dimensional characters
A quotation is provided showing a point of agreement with the
critic, Hourihan
Essay then goes on to discuss characters using further examples and
refuting counterarguments

6. Conclusion
Brings the essay to a feeling of closure
Summarizes the main points of your paper
 Tip: After finishing the first draft of your essay, you may
wish to go back and refine your thesis statement to make
sure it fits with your overall paper.

7. Works Cited
Hourihan, Margery. Deconstructing the Hero: Literary Theory and
Children’s Literature. Routledge, 1997.