1. Introduction: Two or three sentences – around 20-30 words

Purpose of the paragraph: Define the issue to be discussed. Give a clue about the direction you wish to take.

Content of the paragraph: Define the issue. Say why it is important or a problem (especially if writing an “opinion” essay) and give a general indication of your attitude to it. You may even do this by giving an example.

1. First Point: Five or six sentences – around 50 words

Purpose of the paragraph: Make ONE point only and explain it clearly

Content of the paragraph: ONE KEY SENTENCE (usually at the beginning of the paragraph) followed by an explanation of what that sentence means, with an example to illustrate your point if relevant.

Rhetorical Elements: Make sure that your paragraph is LINKED to other sections of the essay. If for an opinion essay, you can use expressions like “One reason is…” You may also pick up key words from your opening paragraph and use them (or synomyms) again in your key sentence here.

If you are writing an opinion essay and are undecided, you could use expressions like “On the one hand…”

1. Second Point Five or six sentences – around 50 words

Purpose of the paragraph: Make ONE point only and explain it clearly

Content of the paragraph: Content of the paragraph: ONE KEY SENTENCE (usually at the beginning of the paragraph) followed by an explanation of what that sentence means, with an example to illustrate your point if relevant.

Rhetorical Elements: Make sure that your paragraph is LINKED to other sections of the essay. If for an opinion essay, you can use expressions like “One reason is…” You may also pick up key words from your opening paragraph and use them (or synomyms) again in your key sentence here.

If you are writing an opinion essay and are undecided, you could use expressions like “On the one hand…”

1. Conclusion: Three or four sentences – around 20 words

Purpose of the paragraph: Identify “the bottom line”. What did you try and present in this essay?

Content of the paragraph: Tie things up. Identify what you tried to present, and how you did this.

Rhetorical elements: Use expressions like: “I have tried to show…I have described…It is possible to see that…” (for an opinion essay) . AVOID “I have proved beyond doubt…”

For other types of essay take into account the purpose of the essay…we will talk about that another time…