Lukas Hofer

You Are Viewing

A Blog Post

Basic structure and rules for writing an essay.

Basic Essay Structure

The simplest, most conventional essay structure in English includes introduction > body > conclusion. Many papers that are academic this structure, though it is actually adapted for some reason to suit different topics and purposes.

This structure is popular given that it helps to ensure that the primary points associated with essay are extremely clear and well supported. The introduction gives the writer’s overall purpose and point in the essay. The body gives support because of this point that is overall. The conclusion restates the point that is overall.

A prototype essay of this structure includes in more detail


The purpose of the introduction is always to capture the reader’s attention, lead the reader into your topic and provide your reader your overall point or purpose.

A conventional structure for introductions is general to specific. These introductions start out with some general statements on a topic (e.g. a development or trend, an interesting fact, a situation, a common belief or argument), before moving on the particular issue or problem that the essay will cope with. They end with the overall point and/or purpose of the essay – to create the thesis statement. This thesis statement must be supported by then the other countries in the essay.

Everyone knows that vitamin D may be the sunshine vitamin, and therefore vitamin D is really important once and for all health. Researchers have indicated that vitamin D prevents illnesses such as for example rickets, improves the health of your skin, regulates the immune system and escalates the rate of metabolism (Nordwist 2000). Despite this knowledge that is general however, many people today still have problems with vitamin D deficiencies around the globe. This essay overviews the sources of this health problem that is continuing.

(Adapted from Reed 1988: the method of Composition)

Note: if the essay is created in response to a particular question, make sure that your thesis statement is actually strongly related the question!


The body regarding the essay is divided in to paragraphs. The goal during these paragraphs would be to clearly support your essay’s thesis statement.

Clear paragraphs usually contain just one single main point which is then supported. The overall part of the paragraph is named the topic sentence. This typically occurs at the start of the paragraph.

An important reason behind vitamin D deficiency is limited sun exposure. Human skin produces vitamin D when it is confronted with the sun. Many individuals who live not even close to the equator in the northern and southern hemispheres have inadequate contact with the sun because the sun’s rays are not strong enough during winter months. Having an occupation that is indoor using sunscreen also limit the total amount of sun exposure a person receives.

(Adapted from “Better Medicine, Healthgrades” 2012)

The main point of the example paragraph is expressed into the topic sentence, “an essential reason behind vitamin D deificiency is limited sun exposure”. This point is then explained because of the remaining portion of the paragraph.

Ensure that you support your topic sentence well before moving onto a new point and paragraph that is new. When you’re with many short paragraphs, you almost certainly have to think more info on your argument and read more regarding your topic to develop your thinking. Otherwise, the reader shall find your argument hasty and superficial.

Make certain also that your paragraphs are sequenced logically so the reader can easily follow your line of thought throughout the essay. This often involves paragraphs that are starting logical connectors:

The issue that is final can cause.

This reminds your reader of the point/purpose that is overall of essay and ties the essay together.


The goal of the conclusion is to briefly remind your reader of the point that is overall suggest wider implications, and provide the essay a satisfying feeling of closure.

To summarize, vitamin D deficiency is actually more wide-spread than most people realize. In developing countries, the main cause is normally poverty and resulting malnutrition. In Western countries, however, the nagging issue is typically an overly processed or imbalanced diet. More effort therefore needs to be made to increasing public knowing of good vitamin D sources.

In conclusion is yet another opportunity that is good tie the essay together and make it clear that you’ve got supported your point well.

Note that in an exceedingly short paper, you need to avoid giving an excessive amount of an overview. The reader will remember most of the points, so it will feel unnecessary. Instead, summarize only briefly that is very then move onto wider implications and final comments.