Skip to main content

πŸ“ How To Plan And Structure My Essays?

How to plan and structure your essay

Holly avatar
Written by Holly
Updated over 2 weeks ago

πŸ“ Where Do I Start?

If you're unsure how to write essays or don’t know where to begin, the key is planning.

A well-structured essay starts with a clear roadmap of what you want to say and how you’ll say it. Be sure to check out our Essay Skills under each text, which covers everything you need to know about planning and structuring your essays!


πŸ“– How Do I Structure My Essay?

Every strong essay follows a three-part structure:

πŸ’‘ Introduction – Briefly outline the key points you will cover in your essay.

πŸ’‘ Main Body Paragraphs – Develop your argument with well-structured paragraphs using 3-4 key points and supporting evidence.

πŸ’‘ Conclusion – Summarise your key points and explain how they relate to the essay question.

This structure ensures clarity, coherence, and a logical flow of ideas! πŸš€


πŸ› οΈ How Do I Structure My Main Body Paragraphs?

At The Lightup Hub, we recommend using the PETAETACWL structure to write well-developed main body paragraphs:

βœ… Point – Introduce the main argument of the paragraph.
βœ… Evidence – Provide a relevant quote to support your point.
βœ… Technique – Identify the literary or linguistic technique used (e.g., metaphor, alliteration).
βœ… Analysis – Explain how the technique supports your point.
βœ… Evidence – Introduce a second piece of evidence.
βœ… Technique – Identify another technique used.
βœ… Analysis – Provide further explanation.
βœ… Context – Relate your point to context.
βœ… Writer’s Intentions – Explain what the writer aimed to achieve.
βœ… Link to Point – Conclude by linking back to your original point and the essay question.

✨ This structure ensures your responses are detailed and analytical, helping you earn higher marks.

πŸ“ How Do I Plan My Essay?

Once you have your essay question, follow these steps:

πŸ” Read and Understand the Question – Identify key terms and what the question is asking.

πŸ’‘ Brainstorm Ideas – Write down relevant arguments, quotes, and techniques.

πŸ“Œ Organise Your Points – Use a mind map or bullet points to structure your argument logically.

πŸ› οΈ Follow the PETAETACWL Structure – Plan out your paragraphs using this framework.

By following these steps, you’ll feel prepared and ready to write a well-structured essay that impresses examiners! πŸ†


πŸ’‘ Top Tip: Practice makes perfect! Try writing essays under timed conditions to get used to exam settings. πŸ•°οΈ

Did this answer your question?