How do I structure an essay?

The most important part of an essay is making sure the points you are making are clear, and the best way to do this is with the structure.

Firstly, make sure there is a clear introduction which lays out your argument. Take for example the question, 'which leader was more satisfied by the terms of the Treaty of Versailles: Woodrow Wilson or Georges Clemenceau?'. The first line of your introduction should clearly state what you will argue, with some context: 'The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919 and ending World War One officially, fulfilled Georges Clemenceau's aims more than Woodrow Wilson and thus left him feeling more satisfied.' You should go on to give a brief outline of what your main body will look like. 

The main paragraphs of your essay should all begin with a point. After this, you should provide the evidence which supports your point, and finally you explain and assess. It is important not simply to describe, for instance with the above question you should not just explain the aims of both Clemenceau and Wilson, i.e. 'Wilson prioritised his idealistic fourteen points because he held a vision of a better, more liberal world order'. Assessment is key to gain a higher mark, so you must give a balanced view of the successes and failures of both leaders. For instance, 'Wilson achieved the restoration of Belgium, Alsace-Lorraine and Poland, but his ideas of self-determination proved impossible to fulfill, with both Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia failing to survive as nations.'