4 Ways to Structure your Essay for a Better Grade
- Bryson Editorial
- Oct 6, 2017
- 3 min read
As an instructor, few things were more aggravating to me than having to grade badly structured essays. You may have great arguments and top tier research skills, but neither will shine through in an essay that is confusing to follow. Here are a few simple ways to ensure that your academic writing is coherent and easy on the reader. Remember that a happy grader is a generous grader!
1. In most cases, keep it simple.
Structure doesn’t need to be complex. Sticking to the same structure for each subject is enough. It will ensure that your arguments are clear, and means that the grader won’t have to waste time trying to decipher what each section is trying to argue. There are plenty of other ways to demonstrate that you can handle complexity (vocabulary, analysis, etc.); using a simple structure will help you show off the depth of your knowledge and understanding more effectively.
2. Include explanatory statements at the beginning and end of each paragraph.
If your essay is structured well, the grader should be able to understand the gist of your argument from just the first and last sentences of each paragraph. This might sound obvious, but most students don’t do it. Often, they will use a brief introductory sentence that only addresses one of several points made in the paragraph, which is needlessly confusing. The first sentence should introduce all main arguments of the paragraph, and the last should explain why they were important to your thesis statement, how they relate to your overarching argument, and/or provide clear linkage to the next paragraph.
Are there too many arguments in your paragraphs to include in one brief introductory sentence? Then, quite simply, your paragraphs are too long! Shorter, single-argument paragraphs are another great way to simplify the structure of your essay.
3. Plan to deal with counterarguments before you write.
When you draw up the plan for your essay, think very carefully about the weaknesses in your argument. If someone were to argue against your essay, what points would they bring up? The mark of an excellent essay is a clear demonstration that the writer not only knows there are counterarguments (something many students fail to acknowledge), but can also present them with the respect they deserve. You may not agree with these arguments–if you did, they would probably be integrated into your own thesis–but you should select the best of them and clearly explain their flaws.
There are two main ways to do this. First, you can include a paragraph entirely dedicated to counterarguments. This paragraph should conclude with strong, evidence-based reasons you believe they are flawed or incorrect, and why your thesis is better. Second, you can work counterarguments into your other paragraphs, after your make your own arguments. The method you choose should be the one that helps you express your ideas in the simplest and most logical way. If one interrupts the flow of your argument or is frustrating to write, scrap it and try the other.
4. Use the conclusion to help the reader understand your arguments.
Most students struggle to figure out what to write for the conclusion. You might think, “I’ve already done all this work coming up with a thesis and responding to counterarguments. What more can I say?” Say it again. That is the function of a conclusion. Sum up your thesis, briefly explain the evidence that supports your thesis, and restate why the counterarguments you brought up are not as good as your thesis.
It’s really that simple. You don’t need grand pronouncements about the subject matter or the authors you cite, and you definitely don’t need to include new information. The conclusion exists to help readers ensure that they understood all your main arguments correctly. Graders should be able to skim the conclusion and feel assured that you responded to the prompt thoroughly.
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