Essay Structure

Intro:

This essay will argue that/ I will argue that ……………………..

What you will do, how you will do it (exactly step by step) and what you will conclude.

How to start the main body: Contextualise and situate the question!

In order to answer the above question, it is first necessary to define what is meant by…………..

Important to point out is that ………………….. is a contested issue.

These concepts feature heavily in ………………….., which argues that…………….

These concepts are most associated with…………………

The question makes the assumption that …………………………., however I will argue that……………

Narrowing the question to enable you to build a coherent argument:

This question is exemplified in the discourse on ………………….., which I will focus on to build my
argument

In order to answer the question most effectively within the limited time frame, it is necessary to
narrow the confines of the debate and focus on ………………………………..

In order to make this argument, I will draw on the particular debate between …………… and ……………
to demonstrate that …………………………

The most striking example of this assertion (exam question) can be found in the debate between
……….. and ………………..

In referring back to its historical underpinnings: What do these schools of thought draw on to give
them more ‘clout’?

This school of thought draws upon ……………………

The philosophical roots of this tradition lie in …………………..

In building an argument:

However, I will draw on the work of …………….. to destabilise/counter/call into question/ challenge/
counteract the scholarship of ……………….

Drawing on the quote by Cox that ‘Every theory is for somebody and for some purpose’, I will thus
argue that ……….. (when making a ‘critical’ argument)
A very convincing counter-narrative is however presented by ………………….

Contrary to this strand of thought is ………………….

A fundamental flaw with this approach has been highlighted by ……………….

In adding weight to your argument:

Building on this argument is the work of ………………….., who argues that ……………….

…………….. presents a compelling case for ………………..

Another school of thought that adopts this approach is…………

Resonating strongly with the work of …………….., is that of ………………..

The most striking example/ a prominent example of such a line of thought is ………….. (empirical
example or theorist)

Conclusion

In conclusion, this essay has argued that …………….

It has done so by effectively demonstrating that/

It has shown that, although ……….. argues that ……………….., this is effectively undermined by
………………