How do I structure an essay?

The main point of writing an exam essay is to always come back to the question - start your introduction by answering the question and refer to it in every paragraph. You should aim for three main points for the body of the essay and remember to follow PEEL (Point Evidence Explanation Link). For English literature, the evidence is often a quotation and the explanation is usually an analysis of the quotation. The conclusion should not just be the introduction rewritten, but it should refer back to the question and summarise the key points of the essay to reinforce your answer to the question.