The essay

English essays are linear:

- they start at the beginning and finish at the end, with every part contributing to the main line
of argument, without digressions or repetition. Writers are responsible for making their line of
argument clear and presenting it in an orderly fashion so that the reader can follow. Each
paragraph discusses one major point and each paragraph should lead directly to the next. The
paragraphs are tied together with an introduction and a conclusion.

An essay has three main parts

1. An introduction

2. A main body

3. A conclusion

1. The introduction.

The introduction consists of two parts:
 a. It should include a few general statements about the subject to provide a background to your
essay and to attract the reader’s attention. It should try to explain why you are writing the
essay. It may include a definition of terms in the context of the essay, etc.
 b. It should also include a statement of the specific subdivisions of the topic and/or indication
of how the topic is going to be tackled in order to specifically address the question.

It should introduce the central idea or the main purpose of the writing. It should address the
question.

2. The main body.

The main body consists of one or more paragraphs of ideas and arguments. Each paragraph develops a
subdivision of the topic. The paragraphs of the essay contain the main ideas and arguments of the
essay together with illustrations or examples. The paragraphs are linked in order to connect the
ideas. The purpose of the essay must be made clear and the reader must be able to follow its
development.

3. The conclusion.

The conclusion includes the writer’s final points.
 a. It should recall the issues raised in the introduction and draw together the points made in the
main body
 b. and explain the overall significance of the conclusions. What general points can be drawn from
the essay as a whole?

It should clearly signal to the reader that the essay is finished and leave a clear impression that
the purpose of the essay has been achieved, and that the question has been answered.

                     I. INTRODUCTION


                        General Statement
                     Organisation Statement


                     Arrow

                                                                II. MAIN BODY


                     A. Introductory Sentence
                              Point 1
                              Point 2
                              Point 3
                                ...
                        Concluding Sentence


                     Arrow


                     B. Introductory Sentence
                              Point 1
                              Point 2
                              Point 3
                                ...
                        Concluding Sentence


                     Arrow


                     C. Introductory Sentence
                              Point 1
                              Point 2
                              Point 3
                                ...
                        Concluding Sentence


                     Arrow

                                                               III. CONCLUSION


                     Recall issues in introduction;
                       draw together main points;
                             final comment.


References: A bibliography entry requires the name of the author, the date of publication, the name
of the article (if applicable), the name of the publication (with volume number and page numbers)
and finally the publisher´s name and city.

Example: Abercrombie, D. (1968). Paralanguage. British Journal of Disorders of Communication, 3,
55-59.

Barr, P., Clegg, J. & Wallace, C. (1981). Advanced reading skills. London: Longman.