The Writing Process: Structure

Writing Topics and Structure

Freshman Composition teaches students the Elements of Argument. Argument is present in our lives every day, and even though the topics change over time, the structure, style, and organization of academic argument writing do not. See the links below for additional help and sources options. The source items listed in this section are not necessarily reliable or credible; however, they are intended to stimulate conversation, argument ideas, and provide a springboard to stimulate your argument on the topic. As you review the source links, keep in mind the aspects for evaluating a verbal or written argument to know how logical the arguments being presented are in the source. Look for logical support, reliable sources to defend the argument, and possible manipulation through fallacies or inductive reasoning to gather ideas for your argument, your rebuttal of counter-arguments, and your evaluation of the overall topic.

While not all essays are limited to 5-paragraphs, the minimum essay length FOR ANY ACADEMIC PAPER would be the 5-paragraph essay:

1.     INTRODUCTION

2.   BODY-PARAGRAPH 1

3.   BODY-PARAGRAPH 2

4.   BODY-PARAGRAPH 3

5.    CONCLUSION

Typically, a student should assume that an essay assignment requires 3-sections.  The standard writing layout for English consists of a 3-part-structure:

Section 1—INTRODUCTION—1 paragraph: consisting of at least 3 sentences

Section 2—BODY—3+ paragraphs: consisting of at least 5 sentences in each of those body-paragraphs

Section 3—CONCLUSION—1 paragraph: consisting of at least 3 sentences

The number of body-paragraphs is where the essay's length will vary from assignment-to-assignment and instructor-to-instructor. 

You can assume that in argument essays (proposal argument essay, ethical argument essay, and cause/effect argument essay) you will have at least 4-body-paragraphs. 

·       The reason for this minimum within the body-paragraph section (in an argument essay) is because an instructor will assume that you will have at least 3-points to argue in the first 3-body-paragraphs that asserts the essay's POV on the topic. 

·       Then, after those three paragraphs, the essay will begin to analyze and evaluate the opposition's POV. 

o   When the counter-arguments are addressed—after the first 3-body-paragraphs with supporting points/details for the essay's actual goal—the writer may end up with anywhere from 1-3 counter-argument body-paragraphs, depending on how the author of the essay breaks-down the counter-arguments that oppose the writer's overall point.

Click the link below to see the SlidePlayer PowerPoint Version of The 3-Point, 5-Paragraph Essay.  Keep in mind that the PowerPoint is only depicting some of the most basic concepts associated with an essay. 

Always refer to your assignment directions and instructor's preferences when constructing your own essay.

For more links, refer to the 

PARTS of an ESSAY page HERE