How to Write an Essay

Structure of an essay
Introduction-
Sentence 1-2: Thesis statement the thesis is the introduction of a concept and idea which is central to understanding your answer to the question. The thesis should lead into the answer, explains the question or statement
Sentence 2-3: Answer statement this is concise statement which refers directly to the key words/ideas in the question. This sentence may paraphrase the question Sentence 4: Introduction of text The format for introducing text is Author, text type (e.g picture book), title you are also required to briefly outline what you will be discussing in the text to answer your question/in support or you thesis Sentence 5: Introduce other text Same process as sentence 4 Sentence 6: Method statement Structure is often: Through the analysis of _________ the concept of/ significance of ______ will be discussed. In this sentence you will state your process for answering the questions as well as reiterating the key concept in focuses.
Body-
Sentence 1: Topic sentence This is a general statement which identifies/defines a concept/idea that will be the focus of your paragraph. If doing multiple text, it must apply to all text Sentence 2: Apply the topic to the first text Demonstrate how the topic above is evident in the text Sentence 3: QUOTE Provide evidence of where in the text the topic/idea may be found Sentence 4: TECHNIQUE Identify how the message is conveyed through the use of specific techniques Sentence 5: EFFECT Discuss the effect of portrayal of the idea/concept in the text. Does it portray the idea from a certain perspective? Does it comment on the topic? Sentence 6: Relate it back to the question using key words It is important to argument be demonstrating how you have answered the question.
*If you have multiple texts you must then repeat the steps 2-5 for each text.
Conclusion- Sentence 1: Method statement Provide an overview of the method you used to answer the question and what you archived through it Sentence 2-4: Briefly summarise your results from the analysis for each of your text (1-2 sentences per text) Sentence 5: Sum up the “lesson” you learnt as a result of the essay If you didn’t learn anything then it was not a successful essay. The lesson should be directly linked to the thesis.

Example essay:
“To belong is as much about being a part of something, as it is about being excluded” how have texts you have studied demonstrate this notion?
Intro
Belonging is a fundamental need that provides individuals with a sense of identity; however, it can also restrict an individual by placing upon them, certain rules and expectations influenced by specific values, attitude and beliefs. As a result to belong to one set of values, attitude and beliefs are to be excluded from another. Armin Greders picture book THE ISLAND and Gabriel Gareia Marguez’s short story A VERY OLD MAN WITH ENORMOUS WINGS: A TALE FOR CHILDREN, both demonstrate and liberate on an individual. Through the analysis of techniques, the concept of belonging, not belonging and identity will be discussed.
Body
Identity Is constructed by an individual based on their personal, cultural, social and historical contents, they may choose to identify with specific values, attitudes and beliefs and thereby construct their identity form this. Greders picture book demonstrated this idea with in the characters of the islanders whose strong sense of collectin identity defines their way of life customs and attitude towards the stranger. This is evident in the image of the stranger being led aggressively to the goat pen, by the pitch fork wielding men. The juxtaposition of the naked thin plain man with the large uniformed aggressive islander men emphasis both their physical differences as well as solidarity that characteries the islanders. This demonstrates how belonging – for the men- is to be a part of the community, as well as to exclude themselves from the man. They archive this by identifying him as “other” as “different” and “not one of them”
Conclusion
Through the analysis of specific literary and visual techniques, it is evident that both THE ISLAND and A VERY OLD MAN both convey similar ideas about the concept of belonging, not belonging and identity. Greders picture book conveyed how the paradoxical and the independent relationship of acceptance and exclusion have the capacity to provoke individuals to challenge existing rules and expectations that may limit their understanding of belonging and be acceptance of others. Meanwhile Marguez’s short story communicated how exclusion may provoke individuals to change their identity in order to belong to the community and be excluded from the other one. Therefore, both texts effectively portray the conditions under which it is possible to both belong and be excluded. *Ironically, this led them to reject their original values, attitude and beliefs and consequently belong.
Portray: To show from a certain perspective Convey: To show, to understand; shows Communicate: Objective way of showing something Evident: Shown Perceives: Sees

SAFE WORDS: May, might, capacity to, potential to, possibly
Objective: No feeling e.g table Subjective: Has feelings and emotions