Plan your essay

Argument determines structure

Now you have written your thesis statement and have carried out preliminary research, the next step is to formulate an essay structure that is logical, coherent and maximally persuasive.

The argument you make determines your structure. The key reasons for your position form the main points that are developed in your essay. If you change your argument, you will likely need to change your essay structure in order to better support the new argument.

At this stage, write down the basic structure as a list. Think of each line as a new heading or section of your essay. Arrange these main points in a way that you think is most logical and where the ideas flow together well. Do not be afraid to experiment with alternative structures, as this process may lead you to refine your argument further.