How is it best to structure an essay?

Essays for an English exam are best presented in the following format.  

1) Introduction: outline the points you will make in answer to the question, and some background information about your text.  

2) Paragraphs: these should be structured with an introductory sentence describing your main point, then an explanation including evidence from the text - without this, your point won't be sufficiently supported.  Once you've explained your point, briefly sum it up again in a concluding sentence, and move onto the next paragraph.  

3) Conclusion: sum up all the points you've made into a few concise arguments.  Don't make any new points, and don't worry about evidence; you should have plently of that in the paragraphs above.