What is the best way to structure an essay?

The best essay structures offer clarity and usually stick to a clear format depending on a word count or a time limit. An introduction to an essay does not need to always pinpoint every argument that will be made or include textual analysis (as you may not have enough time or words to do this,) but it must set the tone for the rest of your essay by briefly outlining your response to the question and highlighting some of the issues you plan to raise. It is always a good idea (depending on the exam board) to also outline some of the tensions raised by the question and offer insight into how your essay may challenge or conflict these. The main body of your essay must be clearly structured with ideas grouped by paragraph. For an examiner, this clearly signposts when you are developing your argument and moving onto another point, as well as making your job easier when you are planning. In English, the best arguments tend to be based around the evidence in the text that you provide for the ideas you are proposing, and the most effective way to do this is through including quotes which are then explored by detailed close reading or analysis. Once you have analysed the quote, you can then develop this analysis by linking it to context and wider reading or by providing alternative analysis. Starting paragraphs with a clear topic sentence, as well as finishing a paragraph with a reiteration of your point will also signpost to the examiner the point you are making and help clarify your ideas. For the conclusion you need to succinctly summarise the points you have made in the essay and why these are significant; often using the specific words used in the question will help signify that you have answered it and will add to the clarity of your essay.