Introduction-Body-Conclusion
The introduction, body, and conclusion are parts of a standard academic essay structure that are also used for reports, research papers, and reviews. This structure results from the linearity principle that requires a writer to discuss the topic and make conclusions gradually. To make your text organized correctly, you should check the following:
1. Introduction and conclusion presence.
Your narrative will not be logical without an introduction and conclusion. An introduction is a short background and a thesis statement; a conclusion is a summary of the main ideas of the paper. Remember that we prepare the reader for the discussion in the introduction, expand on the discussion in the body, and summarize the information in the conclusion.
2. 10-80-10.
The Pareto principle is effectively used in academic writing. Most academic papers have a structure based on this rule: no more than 10% of the text should be an introduction, 80% should be the body of the paper, and no more than 10% should be a conclusion.
3. Proper work with sources.
Here, remember the 3 fundamental rules you should follow:
The text should include at most 10% direct quotes and at most 10% paraphrased material.
Paragraphs should NOT be open or closed with in-texts; use them in the middle of the paragraph.
An introduction and conclusion should NOT include specific factual information, and the conclusion should not contain new information.
Therefore, we can compare the essay structure to a mountain. We climb up the introduction to the main information, which is explained in the body paragraphs, and go down to the conclusion: from the general to the specific, from the specific to the summary.
The Paragraph Structure
A paragraph is an important part of an academic paper. Academic paragraphs should have a particular structure and be linked to a common idea. To visualize the paragraph structure, imagine a hamburger. The buns are a topic and concluding sentences, the filling is an analysis, examples, facts, discussion, and your own ideas, and the sauce is cohesion.
Topic Sentence
A topic sentence is a first sentence that informs the reader of a controlling idea, which should present a part of the thesis statement and make a tone for the following discussion. However, a topic sentence should NOT include any specific information (dates, statistics, direct speech). It also can NOT be a question or an in-text. The main requirement for the topic sentence is to present the paragraph's subtopic.
Pivots are a special kind of topic sentence that we use in the middle of the paragraph. A pivot is a sentence that shows that the following part of the paragraph will be a counterargument to the controlling idea. They help to smoothly implement an opposite opinion in the text.
The Paragraph's Body
This is the filling of our hamburger - the tastiest component. The paragraph's body can consist of different parts, which depends on the instructions. In any case, the body should be an original text with your own opinion supported by analysis, credible sources, facts, statistics, and other evidential support.
There are several requirements to the paragraph's body:
Move from the old to a new idea or use parallel structures (argument-counterargument; firstly, secondly).
Do not use 2 or more in-texts in a row.
Avoid tautology: do not repeat a main idea, but extend it in each following sentence.
Concluding Sentence
After you discuss the main idea of the paragraph, you should close it with a strong conclusion. A concluding sentence will help you with this. Note that it can NOT include any specific information (in-texts). A concluding sentence is a particular paragraph's conclusion that summarizes the result of the central idea's discussion.
Additionally, a concluding sentence can play the role of a transitional sentence (bridge sentence), which is needed when the subtopic has several important parts that are not worth a separate paragraph.
The Size of Paragraphs
In most cases, the essay's body consists of three paragraphs. Although all the body paragraphs should be structured as mentioned above (topic sentence-body-concluding sentence), they also must meet 3 parameters:
have 4 full lines and 3 sentences minimum.
be no longer than 200 words (if this doesn't contradict the instructions). It should be the maximum for texts regardless of their overall word count.
be proportional. You should make paragraphs approximately of the same size because it's needed to create deep content and a pleasant visual impression. The maximum difference between the paragraphs should be +-20 words.
CCC
The last important criteria of the academic paper are 3 letters C: cohesion, coherence, and clarity. All of your efforts will not result in a coherent, readable, and interesting essay without these elements.
Cohesion
The cohesion can be reached by using different suitable linking devices/transitions between sentences.
Use | Transition Word or Phrase |
To add | and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, nor, too, next, lastly, moreover, additionally, firstly (secondly, etc.) |
To compare | whereas, but, however, nevertheless, where, compared to, although, conversely, meanwhile, in contrast |
To prove | because, for, since, evidently, furthermore, moreover, besides |
To show time or sequence | immediately, soon, finally, then, later, previously, first (second, etc.), next |
To give an example | for example, for instance, in this case, to demonstrate |
To summarize or conclude | hence, therefore, accordingly, consequently, summing up, overall |
You can also utilize verbal bridges (synonyms) to control the thematic link in the text. Like in the example above, Suprematism is a keyword. We can add to it the Suprematism movement, the ideology, avant-garde, Suprematistic art, and the art view.
The last but not least important linking element is parallel structures. Use them to list components of the same thing and use: In the first stage/In the next stage; The initial option/Another option; etc.
Remember that we do not overuse transitions, do not use too complicated synonyms that do not suit academic text, and utilize parallel structures for listing things or rhetoric emphasis only!
Coherence
Since we rely on the thesis and a subtopic of the paragraph, our task is to introduce our opinion and support it by adding new information to the old one. Therefore, move from the old information to the new one and stick to the thesis! - any part of the paper should refer to the thesis and explain or strengthen it.
Clarity
Although clarity relates to the style, it is a part of the structure as well since the elements of academic writing are linked to each other.
You will reach clarity by following 2 simple rules:
Be specific and concise. Avoid hypothetic information and vague thoughts.
Use appropriate and precise wording.
Overall, you can make a perfect structure easily:
1. You should split an essay into traditional parts (introduction, body, conclusion).
2. Write correct paragraphs with a topic sentence, details, and concluding sentence.
3. Follow rules of cohesion, coherence, and clarity.
Remember that these are the standard structure requirements. Customers and their professors can require another structure, and you should follow it even if it contradicts the above recommendations.