Paragraph 1

Introduction: CONTENT: What is the question about – define your terms. CONTEXT: Why is this question being asked and why is it important? COMMENT: Introduce your line of reasoning then as the last sentence of the Introduction, state your THESIS, a clear statement of what your argument (answer) will be, using the wording of the question.

Be very careful with introductions… they are NOT a summary of the entire topic! The purpose is only to introduce your thesis… If you are short of time, this is the paragraph to cut… just state your thesis.

Paragraph 2

This is RA, the strongest Reason in support of your argument, including Authority i.e. scholars and evidence suppoting your argument.

• Aim to write a nicely structured paragraph, with a POINT, EXPLANATION, EVIDENCE, ANALYSIS and EVALUATION and a LINK back to the Thesis. NB: Evaluation here should be positive i.e. “this is persuasive because”…

Paragraph 3

This is also RA, the next strongest Reason in support of your argument, including Authority i.e. scholars and evidence suppoting your argument.

• Aim to write a nicely structured paragraph, with a POINT, EXPLANATION, EVIDENCE, ANALYSIS and EVALUATION and a LINK back to the Thesis. NB: Evaluation here should be positive i.e. “this is persuasive because”…

Of course, you can add as many paragraphs as you have points to make in support of your thesis – or time to write them! 2 is the minimum for A Level.

Paragraph 4

This is DE (a counterclaim, rebutted). Describe and explain who would Disagree with your argument & then Evaluate… explain why you disagree with them (with evidence).  

• Aim to write a nicely structured paragraph, with a POINT, EXPLANATION, EVIDENCE, ANALYSIS and EVALUATION and a LINK back to the Thesis. NB: Evaluation here should be negative i.e. “this is not persuasive because”…

Of course, you can add as many counterclaims as there are that need dealing with – or as you have time to write them! 1 is a minimum at A Level.

Paragraph 5

This is your Conclusion. Think TEA: repeat your Thesis and best Evidence, make a call to Action.

• Aim to write a nicely structured paragraph, signpost by writing “in conclusion” then restate your thesis as the POINT, add EXPLANATION & EVIDENCE (i.e. your best reason(s)) then ANALYSE and EVALUATE (make a call to action). Depending on the length of this paragraph, you may wish to finish by LINKING back to the Thesis.

Remember, for more detailed advice on how to write good A Level essays, take my A Level Masterclass, a unique online-course that takes you through it step by step…