What is the best way to plan an essay about what caused the outbreak of the English Civil War?

The best way to structure essays about the causes of an event is to pick a central factor you believe to be the most important. You must discuss multiple factors in an essay but come to the conclusion that one was more important and causative than the others.Here are 3 example factors: James and Charles' Leadership, Religion, ParliamentFor an example paragraph we will use Religion as our central factor. Once we have chosen, we structure our paragraphs using PEEL (Point, Evidence, Evaluation, Link to the question)Point: Fears about a return of Catholicism and the 'Popish' reforms that were undertaken during Charles' reign greatly heightened tensions in England and pushed the nation closer to confrontation. Evidence: William Laud's selection as Archbishop of Canterbury (1633), The decision to rail off Altars in Church, Return of Cross making, Arminianism - MP Bedford's description of Arminianism as "the thief put through the window to unlock the back door", Imposition of the 1637 new prayer book on Scottish Churches, William Williams' 1599 Sermons.Evaluation: There was fear about Catholicism's return in all echelons of society. From commoners to MPs to those within the Church who opposed Arminian reforms. William Laud's reform program was seen as a threat to the English religious settlement. On the ground people perceived a slow reversal of the English Reformation in the return of Catholic traditions. In Parliament, fears united Protestant MPs of all types against the government. In the Church, many strongly opposed the 'popish' reforms and saw them as an attack on the unique English Church. Link: Religion was the factor that linked all levels of society and caused them to eventually come together to oppose the king and the government.Conclusion: A conclusion should not be planned before writing the essay. This avoids an ending to your essay that does not match the body. A conclusion should be a reiteration of the body of your essay but end with a strong statement of which factor you believe to be the most prominent.