what are the contents of an essay

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Starting an Essay

Essay structure, writing a thesis statement, introduction paragraphs, body paragraphs, conclusions.

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Almost every course you will encounter in college will include writing assignments. One of the most common writing assignments is known as an essay. While the content and style of  essay projects will vary across the disciplines, there are a number of key components that all good essays include. This section of the guide walks you through some of the basic components of the essay genre.  Here are some general thoughts before you get started.  

• A good essay is well-organized and structured. Good essays have a clear introduction, thesis, and conclusion. Body paragraphs in the essay connect back to the thesis. 
• In college, we are no longer tied to a five-paragraph essay (unless an instructor specifically asks for this). Our essays in college can range in length. Some projects may be more than 10 pages, so it would be impossible to use only 5 paragraphs for an essay of this length. 
• Because we are no longer tied to a 5-paragraph essay, we do not have to include "three points" in our thesis statement as we may have done in other courses. 
• Essays should be cohesive and have a good flow. We can create this flow by using transition words and phrases to connect one point to the next. 
• Remember to the review the directions before you start. One can produce a wonderfully-written essay, but if it does not meet the project's parameters, it will not usually receive a passing grade.
• Schedule a meeting with your instructor or tutor before you begin. Visit  http://baker.mywconline.com/  to schedule a meeting with a professional tutor. 

• Parts of an Essay This handout breaks down an essay into it core parts. This short video will provide you with essay structure help.
• Creating a Strong Thesis Statement Here are some brief tips about how to write a strong thesis statement for your college writing project.
• How to Write an Excellent Introduction This handout leads you through a number of successful strategies to garner reader interest and transition into your thesis statement.
• Creating Body Paragraphs This resource walks you through paragraph creation including how to implement good topic sentences, proper organization, and excellent development.
• Crafting a Strong Conclusion We often focus on creating a strong introduction, but crafting a well-written conclusion is just as important.
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Elements of an Essay

Definition of elements of an essay.

An essay is a piece of composition that discusses a thing, a person, a problem, or an issue in a way that the writer demonstrates his knowledge by offering a new perspective , a new opinion, a solution, or new suggestions or recommendations. An essay is not just a haphazard piece of writing. It is a well-organized composition comprising several elements that work to build an argument , describe a situation, narrate an event, or state a problem with a solution. There are several types of essays based on the purpose and the target audience . Structurally, as an essay is an organized composition, it has the following elements:

• Introduction
• Body Paragraphs

Nature of Elements of an Essay

An essay has three basic elements as given above. Each of these elements plays its respective role to persuade the audience, convince the readers, and convey the meanings an author intends to convey. For example, an introduction is intended to introduce the topic of the essay. First it hooks the readers through the ‘ hook ,’ which is an anecdote , a good quote, a verse , or an event relevant to the topic. It intends to attract the attention of readers.

Following the hood, the author gives background information about the topic, which is intended to educate readers about the topic. The final element of the introduction is a thesis statement. This is a concise and compact sentence or two, which introduces evidence to be discussed in the body paragraphs.

Body paragraphs of an essay discuss the evidences and arguments introduced in the thesis statement . If a thesis statement has presented three evidences or arguments about the topic, there will be three body paragraphs. However, if there are more arguments or evidences, there could be more paragraphs.

The structure of each body paragraph is the same. It starts with a topic sentence, followed by further explanation, examples, evidences, and supporting details. If it is a simple non-research essay, then there are mostly examples of what is introduced in the topic sentences. However, if the essay is research-based, there will be supporting details such as statistics, quotes, charts, and explanations.

The conclusion is the last part of an essay. It is also the crucial part that sums up the argument, or concludes the description, narration, or event. It is comprised of three major parts. The first part is a rephrasing of the thesis statement given at the end of the introduction. It reminds the readers what they have read about. The second part is the summary of the major points discussed in the body paragraphs, and the third part is closing remarks, which are suggestions, recommendations, a call to action, or the author’s own opinion of the issue.

Function of Elements of an Essay

Each element of an essay has a specific function. An introduction not only introduces the topic, but also gives background information, in addition to hooking the readers to read the whole essay. Its first sentence, which is also called a hook, literally hooks readers. When readers have gone through the introduction, it is supposed that they have full information about what they are going to read.

In the same way, the function of body paragraphs is to give more information and convince the readers about the topic. It could be persuasion , explanation, or clarification as required. Mostly, writers use ethos , pathos , and logos in this part of an essay. As traditionally, it has three body paragraphs, writers use each of the rhetorical devices in each paragraph, but it is not a hard and fast rule. The number of body paragraphs could be increased, according to the demand of the topic, or demand of the course.

As far as the conclusion is concerned, its major function is to sum up the argument, issue, or explanation. It makes readers feel that now they are going to finish their reading. It provides them sufficient information about the topic. It gives them a new perspective, a new sight, a new vision, or motivates them to take action. The  conclusion needs to also satisfy readers that they have read something about some topic, have got something to tell others, and that they have not merely read it for the sake of reading.

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Structure of the Essay: Essential Tips and Guidelines

When the time to apply for college comes, you will be expected to know how to structure an essay. The basic components of an essay structure are fairly straightforward, and once you learn them, you will gain the necessary skills in writing. Students everywhere are expected to have mastered this by the time they are ready for college.

What is more difficult is structuring essays appropriately with the ideas at hand. We will discuss how to do this correctly in the sections below.

The important thing in learning how to master essay writing is to start writing essays early so that you can get a lot of practice. By the time you get to the point of writing your college application, it should come to you easily.

What types of essay structures are there?

There are several main types of essay structures that students can choose, and each includes a different topic approach depending on the subjects and how you want to present them. Each essay structure is different and requires different body paragraphs.

The compare and contrast essay

Compare and contrast writing essays are ways of comparing two or more things by means of a common theme. This can include discussing anything from different countries' political structures to different kinds of ice cream or whatever suits your purpose.

You are usually choosing a problem you can relate to. The point is that you follow the structural and stylistic rules. You can use a cause-and-effect approach to illustrate your point.

Template outline

Introduction.

• Problem introduction
• Relevant background
• Imply your solution approach
• Detailed problem definition
• Outline the importance of the problem
• Provide information on the previous methods and approaches to the problem
• Describe your approach and its benefits
• Apply the chosen method to the problem
• Outline the solution you received
• Outline the results of the solution
• Mention the occurred issues
• Closing Statement

Example of the compare and contrast essay structure

Urban traffic congestion is a growing issue in cities, causing delays, pollution, and stress.

As urban populations rise, infrastructure hasn’t kept pace, worsening the problem.

I propose using smart traffic management systems, which leverage real-time data and AI to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion.

Traffic congestion occurs when road demand exceeds capacity, resulting in slow-moving traffic. It's a critical issue because it causes economic losses, worsens air pollution, and harms public health.

Long commutes also reduce quality of life. Effective solutions are needed to address both symptoms and causes.

Traditional solutions, like expanding roads or improving public transportation, offer limited relief and can be costly.

In contrast, smart traffic management systems use AI and real-time data to dynamically adjust traffic signals, predict congestion, and manage routes. This method is scalable, cost-effective, and flexible.

Cities like Singapore use smart systems to optimize traffic flow through real-time data and adaptive traffic signals. These systems reduce congestion by adjusting signal timing and suggesting optimal routes.

This approach can reduce commute times, lower emissions, and improve urban mobility.

Smart traffic management systems offer a practical, scalable solution to urban congestion.

They improve traffic flow, reduce pollution, and enhance quality of life.

As cities grow, such systems will be key in creating efficient, sustainable urban environments, paving the way for smarter, more livable cities.

The chronological essay

Chronological essay structure follows a particular time sequence, historical event, or chronological structure. If you have an assignment that requires you to outline a story, consider discussing something significant that happened over a period of time. The main points can be listed in terms of time.

• Problem introduction (Hook)
• Thesis statement

First period or event

• Your thoughts and outline of the period or event
• Consequences

Second period or event

Third period or event.

• Summarization
• Topic relevance and importance

Example of the chronological structure

Imagine spending hours each day stuck in traffic, missing important events, and feeling stressed. This is a reality for millions worldwide due to worsening traffic congestion.

As cities grew and populations increased, traffic congestion became a significant issue. Over time, various solutions have been tried to tackle the problem.

The evolution of solutions to urban traffic congestion, from expanding roads to smart technologies, reflects both progress and unexpected consequences.

The Rise of Car Culture (Mid-20th Century)

In the 1950s and 1960s, the rise of car ownership led cities to build more roads, hoping to solve congestion.

However, expanding roads only encouraged more car use, leading to continuous traffic jams and worsening congestion.

Infrastructure Expansion and Public Transit (1980s-1990s)

In the 1980s and 1990s, cities focused on expanding public transit systems and adding more lanes to roads.

Despite efforts, public transit couldn’t meet the demand, and congestion persisted as more cars continued to fill the streets.

Smart Traffic Management (2000s-Present)

In the 2000s, cities adopted smart traffic management systems, using real-time data and AI to optimize traffic flow.

These systems have reduced congestion and emissions, but they require significant investment and raise concerns about privacy and accessibility.

From car culture to smart technologies, solutions to urban congestion have evolved with growing populations and technological advancements.

Managing traffic congestion is vital for economic productivity, public health, and environmental sustainability in cities.

By learning from the past and embracing innovative solutions, we can create more efficient, sustainable, and livable cities for the future.

The argumentative essay

You might have an assignment to compose an argumentative essay, in which you will be proving an argument on a subject that might be controversial but which has personal importance to you. These essays are designed to test your logic and persuasion skills as well as provide methods to present the argument. You might use a cause-and-effect illustration as supporting evidence to illustrate a specific point.

• Background Information
• Thesis Statement

Presenting the First Argument

• Topic Sentence
• Explanation/Analysis
• Evidence/Examples

Presenting the Second Argument

Presenting the third argument (optional), counterargument (optional but recommended).

• Introduce the Opposing Viewpoint
• Restate Thesis
• Summarize Key Points
• Final Thought/Call to Action
• With climate change becoming an urgent issue, the need for sustainable energy is more critical than ever.
• Fossil fuels have long powered the world, but they are finite and harmful to the environment. Renewable energy, like wind, solar, and hydropower, offers a cleaner, sustainable alternative.
• Switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy is essential for reducing environmental damage, ensuring long-term energy security, and fostering economic growth.
• Renewable energy reduces environmental harm by cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
• Fossil fuel combustion is a major source of pollution and climate change. Renewable sources emit little to no greenhouse gases.
• The U.S. Department of Energy reports that solar and wind energy emit up to 90% less carbon than coal. Countries like Denmark have cut emissions significantly with renewable energy.
• Reducing emissions is vital for combating climate change and improving air quality.
• Renewable energy provides long-term energy security by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• Fossil fuels are finite and subject to market fluctuations. Renewables like solar and wind are abundant and sustainable.
• Solar power is a nearly infinite resource, and global solar capacity reached 1 terawatt in 2021, proving its scalability.
• Investing in renewables reduces dependence on oil and gas, ensuring energy security and stability.
• Renewable energy stimulates economic growth by creating jobs and fostering innovation.
• The renewable energy sector is labor-intensive, providing jobs in manufacturing, installation, and research.
• The solar industry employed over 250,000 people in 2020, and wind energy generated 100,000 global jobs.
• Renewable energy investment not only benefits the environment but also strengthens economies and communities.
• Critics argue that renewable energy is too expensive and inefficient.
• While initial costs are high, the long-term benefits and falling costs of renewable technologies, such as solar, make it more affordable. The cost of not transitioning—climate change—far exceeds the investment in renewables.
• Renewable energy is crucial for environmental protection, energy security, and economic growth.
• Renewables reduce emissions, ensure energy independence, and create job opportunities.
• Investing in renewable energy today ensures a sustainable, prosperous future for generations to come.

Basic essay components to the structure of the essay

Regardless of the type of essay that you are writing, there are essential components, key points and ideas, and basic structure knowledge that need to be included. 

Every student's essay must have an introduction of one paragraph or more in length in which the main point of the essay is clearly stated, several body paragraphs that prove the point of the essay and provide solid arguments to support the thesis, and a final paragraph.

Everything should be written within the right context and with a keen eye for the specifics of the assignment. This is not a research essay you will be mostly working on in college, but it should be used as proof that you can write one.

Now let's take a closer look at how to essay paragraph structure college application essays in particular.

The college essay structure

If you really want to get into the college of your choice, you need to master the art of composing a strong college essay where each paragraph is important and supports your arguments and/or ideas.

In fact, if you apply to colleges online as part of the standardized College App, you will likely know in advance what kinds of essay structure you'll have to use. This is good news for applicants because it allows them to spend much more time preparing and considering subjects to present.

The point of a college entry essay is to give admission stuff background information on your life and a clear picture of your character. While you do, in fact, want to impress them, you shouldn't try to do this in a way that exaggerates your accomplishments or comes off as fake. Finding the right balance between showing enthusiasm and going over the top is key. This is where employing an alternating method could help.

It might also happen that your application essay will appeal to some college admissions officers and not others. This is not necessarily bad; the reason these people are assigned their roles is because it is their job to determine who is right for their respective institutions and who isn't. 

It is not necessarily a question of better or worse, but sometimes just the character of the college representative. The way you present information could be critical.

Things to keep in mind when you determine the structure of your essay

As you go through the process of structuring your essay, there are essential things that you should keep in mind. These include the following:

Include a strong and compelling title

Many psychological studies have proven that the things people remember most in any given sequence are the beginning and the end. As a beginning, a strong introduction in your opening paragraph is key.

So, you should think of an appropriate title that will give your essay the attention it deserves and provide context for the content. Keep this thought in mind as you write, and come up with a title or make adjustments at the end if necessary.

Focus on your opening statement

Just as your title is critical to the success of your essay, so is the way you open your actual essay and your overall introduction in the first paragraph. It can be presented as a question if you can think of one that will really pique the reader's interest. 

It can also be a bold statement if you are writing a historical or argumentative essay. It can be any number of sentence types, depending on the nature of your essay. Your other paragraphs will be built on it.

Remember that your introductory paragraph is critical to framing the whole essay . In your introduction, you will have four or five sentences in which to capture the readers’ imaginations and fuel their interest in reading the rest of your essay. 

Learn about thesis statements

Your thesis statement will be the part e in which you state the main purpose of your essay. This is usually the last sentence of your introductory paragraph that will lend you strength in your structure, as well.

In higher education papers, a well-written thesis statement is a theme that guides the entire research paper, so you should familiarize yourself with this concept as early as possible. A strong thesis statement, as a part of the introduction, is critical to having a good essay.

The body is the place where your story will come to life

The standard College App essay requires 650 words in which to write your story in the next paragraph and subsequent paragraphs (the body of the essay), and it should be written with an eye for detail. 

You should divide this into three primary components:

• The introduction - should be approximately 100 words.
• The body - should include each paragraph totaling approximately 450 words.
• The conclusion - should be approximately 100 words.

How many paragraphs should you include? It depends on your points and each example that you cover.

Each example should add significance to your overall theme and include as much detail as possible. Rather than making obvious points, focus on discussing subjects relevant to your discussion and providing solid arguments. Each should link back to your thesis statement and hold the attention of the reader.

Your conclusion should sum up the main idea in your essay

In your conclusion, think about the point of most significance and other more common parts that you want admissions officers to remember about you, and find a way to express the conclusion that is clear, succinct, and in keeping with the tone of your essay in general. 

And again, remember that the beginning and the end are the places that will stay in readers' minds the most. This is why the way you word your conclusion is critical. The body is important too, but you should wrap up your arguments in your conclusion as concisely as possible.

Before you decide on your final essay structure, you should figure out what you want to focus on. It should have significance to you and your personal history and generally open a page into your life.

Think of something that you can support with solid evidence as well as background and methods, and that will engage the reader thoroughly. Rather than simply coming up with something out of the blue, you should go about the process systematically.

It is essential that you know what the College App requires before you get started. If you are interested in a particular college, there is a high probability that it will use the College App system.

Topic choices on the College App in recent years have been the same and require the use of the same methods. Although there is an option to choose your own topic, it is best to consider all of the opportunities as something else might pique your interest.

• Choose one main point (an interest or aspect of your identity) that is unique to you, and explain how this helps define your character.
• Recall an example of a challenge that you have had to overcome, what made it difficult, the methods you used, and how it helped shape your character and give you new ideas. 
• Think about someone you know or have met who fundamentally changed or impacted your life. If you choose this topic, you should focus on someone who helped you grow in a way that was unexpected or unusual.
• Think about an accomplishment that you made that changed the way you view the world. It should be something that admissions officers would not normally encounter, and you should be prepared to provide evidence of a significant change that came about from it.
• Think of something in your background that you believe made you challenge the system. Describe how you dealt with it and what the result was for you and for society.
• Think about a personal passion of yours from your background. If you choose this topic, it should be something unique and interesting for people to read.
• Choose a topic of your own that you think would engage the reader. Be prepared to provide a strong argument and solid evidence.

Your choice of prompts for the essay should be inspired by a particular topic. If you are still struggling to think of something after reading the prompts, there are some activities that you can do to help you get started.

Ask others around you how they would describe you. If something they say strikes a chord with you, see if you can build a story around it.

Ask people who have known you for a long time if they can remember an event that seemed to shape your character and which you could cover in an essay. Perhaps they will strike a memory in you that will inspire an essay.

While it is fine to write out your thoughts in free form, you should also take the time to compose an outline as you would for an article so as to create the right essay structure and ensure that the reader will also follow you.

Use a block method, and don't forget the overall context. The block method is helpful in organizing. Think about basic points that you want to include in the body of the essay and write them out in a standard outline form:

I. Introduction, thesis statement

II. Body paragraph 1

You may decide to alter your format as you go along, but it is very helpful to have on hand as a guide. Come up with more than one example if it is helpful. Once you get to college, you will develop many more sub-steps within your outlines that will help you organize your thoughts.

Learning how to write an effective college essay is critical for your future. Not only will it be a major help in getting into the college of your choice, but it will set you on course for success in all your future academic endeavors. If you want to familiarize yourself with the standard structure, try different ideas, and work on honing it as early as possible and creating a strong thesis so that you will be in good shape by the time you apply for college.

You want the person who is assigned to read your essay to be thoroughly impressed. Good essays are ones in which students show consistent effort.

The essay structure divides the text into the next parts: the introduction, where you must present the topic and your thesis statement; the main body, with the analysis and argument; and the conclusion as a summary. Based on the essay topic, the structure can change.

Should I stay with the initial outline as I keep writing?

The outline can be adjusted as you progress through the essay. In case any additional details or outcomes are discovered, a better structure layout may arise.

What is the structure of comparisons?

There are two structure methods for comparisons. Block methods imply discussing each subject separately within their paragraphs. The alternating method implies a side-by-side comparison based on one characteristic at a time.

Why is essay structure important?

Structure helps you present the facts and ideas in a convincing way. This way, your argument is supported not only by the separate facts but also by logical connections within the essay.

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What are the parts of an essay, how do i write an introduction, how do i write the body of my essay, how do i write the conclusion, how do i create a reference list, how do i improve my essay.

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• Introduction
• Each is made up of one or several paragraphs.
• The purpose of this section is to introduce the topic and why it matters, identify the specific focus of the paper, and indicate how the paper will be organized.
• To keep from being too broad or vague, try to incorporate a keyword from your title in the first sentence.
• For example, you might tell readers that the issue is part of an important debate or provide a statistic explaining how many people are affected.  
• Defining your terms is particularly important if there are several possible meanings or interpretations of the term.
• Try to frame this as a statement of your focus. This is also known as a purpose statement, thesis argument, or hypothesis.
• The purpose of this section is to provide information and arguments that follow logically from the main point you identified in your introduction. 
• Identify the main ideas that support and develop your paper’s main point.
• For longer essays, you may be required to use subheadings to label your sections.
• Point: Provide a topic sentence that identifies the topic of the paragraph.
• Proof: Give evidence or examples that develop and explain the topic (e.g., these may come from your sources).
• Significance: Conclude the paragraph with sentence that tells the reader how your paragraph supports the main point of your essay.
• The purpose of this section is to summarize the main points of the essay and identify the broader significance of the topic or issue.
• Remind the reader of the main point of your essay (without restating it word-for-word).
• Summarize the key ideas that supported your main point. (Note: No new information or evidence should be introduced in the conclusion.) 
• Suggest next steps, future research, or recommendations.
• Answer the question “Why should readers care?” (implications, significance).
• Find out what style guide you are required to follow (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) and follow the guidelines to create a reference list (may be called a bibliography or works cited).
• Be sure to include citations in the text when you refer to sources within your essay.
• Cite Your Sources - University of Guelph
• Read assignment instructions carefully and refer to them throughout the writing process.
• e.g., describe, evaluate, analyze, explain, argue, trace, outline, synthesize, compare, contrast, critique.
• For longer essays, you may find it helpful to work on a section at a time, approaching each section as a “mini-essay.”
• Make sure every paragraph, example, and sentence directly supports your main point.
• Aim for 5-8 sentences or ¾ page.
• Visit your instructor or TA during office hours to talk about your approach to the assignment.
• Leave yourself time to revise your essay before submitting.
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Learning objectives

This resource will help you:

• Understand the purpose and function of academic essay writing.
• Develop your ability to plan and structure an effective academic essay.
• Build skills to develop and produce a credible academic essay.

What is the purpose of essay writing?

Academic essays have multiple purposes, including to:

• analyse, argue, and reflect;
• compare and contrast different positions; and
• discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a position.

Essays can be chronological, sequential, or logical in order. The essay question or purpose should guide how the content is organised and how your position/findings are presented.

• Analysing Assignment Questions (PDF 611 KB) Check out these workshop slides presented by the Student Success team to learn more about analysing assignment questions.

Types of essays

All essays follow a similar structure to that discussed so far, however there are some slight differences to their purpose, tone, vocabulary, and the way evidence is incorporated.

How do you structure an essay?

The table below indicates what is generally included in each section of an essay.

Essay writing (RMIT)

This video (2:08 min) from RMIT provides an excellent overview of the structure of an essay. 

Additional resources

• Essay writing (2.17 MB) Check out these workshop slides presented by the Student Success team to learn more about essay writing. This resource contains examples of an Introduction, Body paragraph and a Conclusion.
• Academic Phrasebank (The University of Manchester) Get some ideas for high quality sentence starters from the Academic Phrasebank.
• See an example essay plan and annotated essays from Monash University (2024). 
• APA Style (American Pyschological Association, 2024) APA Style is the place to go if you are referencing and formatting in APA7 style.
• What are credible sources? (UniSC) This resource will teach you the skills required to identify credible sources of information.

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Griffith University. (n.d.).  Organise and analyse research literature .

Martin's Journaling Jive!. (2022, July 21). First draft tips for students and writers! . [Video]. YouTube. 

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