Brief overview and advice on how to structure and write an essay

1. Structuring & Writing a
good essay
Blackburn College: Sociology
Access (Level 3)

2. Use Objective language
• Consider the example sentences below
(which do you think are correct)?

3. Use Objective language
• Consider the example sentences below
(which do you think are correct)?

4. Here’s What An Essay
“Looks” Like:
• Title - always start your essay off with the full/complete title
• Introduction
• Overview of main topic areas; what your essay will cover;
key definitions
• Body of Essay (paragraph 1)
• Topic sentence
• Supporting details
• Body of Essay (paragraph 2 … etc.)
• Topic sentence
• Supporting details
• Summary/Conclusion

5. Introduction
• Your first or introductory paragraph should
explain your topic and provide any key
definitions of terms.
• Your introductory paragraph (or paragraphs)
contain statements that help your reader
focus on what exactly you are going to talk
about in the upcoming body paragraphs.

6. Body Paragraphs
• Body paragraphs support and explain the
response to the essay question/title.
• Cohesive, neat paragraphs are important, as
they make your essay:
• ‘Reader friendly’
• They help make the essay look organized.
• And, of course, they help you meet your
essay’s word-length requirement.

7. Some advice for paragraphs
• Generally, a paragraph starts with a topic sentence,
that tells what the paragraph is about, (the other
sentences provide details and support.
• Each paragraph is a complete thought
• A paragraph focuses on a particular theme, topic, or
argument
• As soon as you start to change thoughts, or if your
writing goes in a new direction, start a new paragraph
• Don’t be afraid of having several paragraphs.
• But likewise, don’t have too many

8. Conclusions
• A concluding paragraph is the final
paragraph in your essay
• It presents an important summary of
your essay; and, it should link directly
back to the title/introduction
• PS: Don’t forget a full & accurate
Bibliography