2b. Analysis of Issue: Structure

Structure is the most important part of your essay. Your essay must be written in a standard format with the standard logical transitions. The E-rater will scan your essay to identify if it has a standard structure.

• Introduction/Conclusion- These elements will provide the structure for your essay and keep you on track.
  
• Number of Paragraphs. To satisfy the E-rater, your essay should be 4 to 5 paragraphs: an introduction, a conclusion, and three "body" paragraphs. Each paragraph should have 2 to 5 sentences (total essay about 300-400 words).
  
  Note: You should skip a line between paragraphs since the TAB key does not function in the essay section.
  

Essay Template

The template is just a guideline. You do not have to adhere to it. Often you will have to make changes to suit your argument.

• The numbers of sentences indicated for each paragraph is a guideline that varies depending on how much content you have.
  
• The transitional phrases we use in the Template are intentionally simplistic. This is not a simple approach where you can "fill-in-the-blanks." Flesh out the template somewhat and use it as a guideline to write a disciplined and focused essay.

Template

1) Introductory Paragraph (2-4 sentences)

Make sure to keep your introductory paragraph concise, strong and effective.

What the introductory paragraph should accomplish:

• Explain the issue (briefly).
• Show that you understand the full complexities of the issue (for example, by recognizing competing interests or various factors).
• State your position on the issue (without the details yet).

Sample template for introductory paragraph (2 sentences):

a) Whether ________________________ depends on _____________________.

b) (insert your opinion), __________________________.

2) First Body Paragraph (3-5 sentences)

Begin to develop your position with your most important reason. Use one or two examples to back up your main point:

a) The chief reason for my view is ___________________________________.

b) For example, ____________________________________.

c) Moreover, ______________________________.

d) Finally, ________________________.

3) Second Body Paragraph

Expand your position with a "secondary" reason. Support your rationale further with at least one example.

• State your second reason (one only).
  
• Provide rationale and/or evidence to support it.
  

Here's a sample template for the second body paragraph that accomplishes these objectives:

a) Another reason for my view is_____________________________.

b) Specifically,________________.

c) The result is,__________________.


4) Optional Third Body Paragraph

In this paragraph (optional) you acknowledge a competing viewpoint or counter-argument (and rationale and/or examples that support it), and then provide rebuttals to further support your position. In this paragraph you walk a tightrope, you must acknowledge the counter-argument, but yet deny it immediately in the next sentence and use that denial to strengthen your own argument.

• Acknowledge a different viewpoint or a counter-argument.
  
• Provide rationale and/or examples that support it.
  
• Provide a rebuttal.

Here's a sample template for the third body paragraph that accomplishes the objectives indicated above:

a) Some might argue,_____________________________.

b) Yet,____________________

c) Others might cite, __________________.

d) However,_____________________.

5) Conclusion Paragraph

In this paragraph you write a summary of your position in 1 to 3 sentences:

• State the thrust of your position.
  
• Restate the main points from the body of your essay.

The concluding paragraph is not the place for new information or reasons. It is not a place to draw new conclusions.

a) In sum, I concur that ________________________.


b) However,_________________; on the whole______________.


>>continue to Analysis of Issue: Timing (page 4 of 4 of chapter 2)