📝 Essays
Essay Writing
Argument structure, introductions, body paragraphs, conclusions, transitions, and academic style — your essay guide.
01Essay Structure▼
ESSAY5-paragraph essay template
INTRODUCTION (hook + context + thesis) Hook: Attention-grabbing opening sentence. Context: 2-3 sentences background information. Thesis: Your main argument/claim (last sentence of intro). BODY PARAGRAPH 1 (strongest argument) Topic sentence -> Evidence -> Analysis -> Link to thesis BODY PARAGRAPH 2 (second argument) Topic sentence -> Evidence -> Analysis -> Link to thesis BODY PARAGRAPH 3 (third argument OR counter-argument + rebuttal) Topic sentence -> Evidence -> Analysis -> Link to thesis CONCLUSION (restate thesis + summarise + final thought) Restate thesis (different words) Summarise main points Broader implication or call to action (no new arguments!)
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The thesis statement is the most important sentence in your essay. Every body paragraph must directly support it.
02Writing Strong Introductions▼
ESSAYHook types with examples
1. BOLD STATEMENT: "Artificial intelligence will replace 40% of current jobs within two decades." 2. SURPRISING STATISTIC: "Over 1 billion people lack access to clean water, yet 70% of Earth is covered by it." 3. RHETORICAL QUESTION: "What would you sacrifice for a better education?" 4. ANECDOTE (short story): "When I was twelve, I memorised an entire textbook overnight — not out of dedication, but because I had no other choice." 5. QUOTE: "'Education is the most powerful weapon,' said Nelson Mandela — and nowhere is this truer than in developing nations." 6. CONTRAST/PARADOX: "We live in the most connected era in history, yet loneliness is at epidemic levels."
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Avoid: "In this essay I will..." and "Since the beginning of time..." — examiners see these thousands of times. Start with impact.
03Body Paragraphs — PEEL▼
ESSAYPEEL structure
P = POINT (topic sentence) E = EVIDENCE (example, quote, statistic, fact) E = EXPLANATION (analyse HOW the evidence supports the point) L = LINK (connect back to thesis/question) EXAMPLE: P: Social media has a demonstrably negative impact on teenage mental health. E: A 2022 study by the University of Cambridge found that adolescents who used social media for more than 3 hours daily were 35% more likely to report symptoms of depression. E: This correlation suggests that excessive digital comparison, not merely screen time itself, drives psychological harm, as teenagers measure their lives against curated highlight reels. L: Therefore, restricting access to social platforms for under-16s would directly address this growing mental health crisis. Note: E-E can be multiple pieces of evidence and analysis.
Strong evidence types
Statistics, expert quotes, case studies, historical examples, scientific studies, logical reasoning.
Weak evidence
Personal opinion stated as fact, vague generalisations, unverified anecdotes, outdated data.
04Transitions & Cohesion▼
| Function | Transitions |
|---|---|
| Adding information | Furthermore, Moreover, In addition, Additionally, Also |
| Contrast | However, Nevertheless, On the other hand, Conversely, Despite this |
| Cause & Effect | Therefore, As a result, Consequently, Thus, Hence, This leads to |
| Illustration | For example, For instance, Specifically, Such as, To illustrate |
| Emphasis | Indeed, In fact, Notably, Significantly, Above all |
| Concession | Admittedly, Although, While it is true that, Even though |
| Conclusion | In conclusion, To summarise, Ultimately, In summary, Overall |
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Do not start every sentence with a transition word. Transitions at the start of paragraphs are most powerful. Use them sparingly within paragraphs.
05Academic Style & Tone▼
ESSAYAcademic language rules
AVOID USE INSTEAD "a lot of" -> many / numerous / a significant number of "get" -> obtain / acquire / receive "big" / "huge" -> substantial / considerable / significant "show" -> demonstrate / indicate / reveal / suggest "use" -> utilise / employ / implement (but "use" is often fine) "things" -> aspects / factors / elements / considerations "I think" -> It can be argued / Evidence suggests / Research indicates "very" -> (delete it, or use stronger word: "extremely", "exceptionally") "good" / "bad" -> beneficial / advantageous / detrimental / problematic ACTIVE vs PASSIVE: Active: "Researchers discovered the compound." (preferred in most essays) Passive: "The compound was discovered." (ok in science/lab reports)
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Avoid first person (I, me, my) in formal academic essays unless specifically permitted. Use impersonal constructions instead.
06Conclusions▼
ESSAYConclusion template
STEP 1 — Restate thesis (different words): "It is evident that..." / "This essay has demonstrated that..." STEP 2 — Summarise main points (1-2 sentences): "While social media creates significant psychological harms, its educational and economic benefits are equally substantial." STEP 3 — Wider implication or call to action: "Policymakers must therefore adopt a nuanced regulatory approach rather than wholesale bans, ensuring technology serves human wellbeing without stifling innovation." DO NOT: - Introduce new arguments - Use "In conclusion" as your only transition (vary it) - Simply list your points again word for word - End with a quote (your voice should be last) STRONG ENDINGS: - Return to your opening hook - Pose a question to the reader - Make a prediction or call to action
❓ Quiz
What is the purpose of the LINK in a PEEL paragraph?
The LINK (final sentence of body paragraph) connects your analysis back to the essay question and thesis, showing the reader WHY this paragraph matters to your overall argument.