THE STRUCTURE OF AN ACADEMIC ESSAY

The Structure of an Academic Essay

Academic writing follows a set pattern. This paper briefly outlines the basic format that is

used. All papers should have a Title. A sample “Five Paragraph Essay” is shown below for

reference purposes, but your essays may have different levels of Subtopics. The Thesis Statement

is usually one sentence. It provides the purpose of the paper and the main supporting points that

will be made. Each supporting idea should be developed in a separate paragraph, unless ideas are

so common that they can be grouped. A paragraph should be more than one sentence. Not all

papers need a Table of Contents, but if the paper is more than eight pages, this is helpful for both

the writer and the reader. Papers need References for facts and ideas cited, including your

textbook! Be sure to use APA formats on headings, references, and citations. Check the APA

Publication Manual for details.

The first Introductory paragraph contains the thesis statement and introduces the main topic

of the essay and the supporting subtopics. The Body of the essay contains Supporting paragraphs

that develop each of the subtopics of the essay. The last Concluding paragraph restates the main

thesis and summarizes the supporting ideas that were developed. Often the first and last paragraphs

are rewritten at the end of the essay process, because they are similar in content.

Title: __________________________

Table of Contents: (optional) ________________

I. Introduction

Introduction and Thesis Statement

II. Body

A. First Supporting Idea

B. Second Supporting Idea

C. Third Supporting Idea

III. Conclusion

Closing statement and restate thesis

References:

American Psychological Association (APA) (2001). Publication manual of the American

Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington D.C.: Author.

Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) (2006). Writing a thesis statement. Retrieved from:

 

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