How should I make sure my essays are well structured?

To make sure that your essay is structured and your arguments progress logically, it is key that you create a plan. A plan will allow you to determine what you think about a text, that is, what arguments or points you would like to make in your essay. More importantly, a plan enables you to map out these points so that your argument is coherent and that each paragraph works to further demonstrate what you are trying to say. Once your plan has been drafted, you must write an introduction. A good introduction is clear and concise, it should present your general argument to the reader so that they know what you are going to be saying throughout your essay. To end your essay, you will need a conclusion. Conclusions serve as summaries, drawing together the points made throughout the essay and using them to confirm your overall argument. The thrust of a conclusion seeks to confirm the initial point you made in your introduction - i.e. 'As x, y and z show, Shakespeare uses imagery of nature throughout King Lear to depict the inner turmoils of his characters'.