COMPOSITION STRUCTURE

A good composition structure:

Is made easier by prior planning.
Makes it clear how you are going to address the question, where you are going and why.
Sets out your main ideas clearly.
Makes it clear how the main ideas relate to each other.
Takes the reader through your answer in a logical, progressive way.
Organises groups of related information in paragraphs.
Uses connecting words and phrases to relate each point/idea to earlier and later points.

INTRODUCTION

Arouse the reader’s interest.
Set the scene.
Explain how you interpret the question set.
Define or explain key terms if necessary.
Identify the issues that you are going to explore.
Give a brief outline of how you will deal with each issue, and in which order.

Contains the points outlined in your introduction, divided into paragraphs:

Paragraph 1

Covers the first thing you said you would address.
The first sentence (the topic sentence) introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
Other sentences develop the topic.
Include relevant examples, details, evidence, quotations, references.

Paragraph 2 and other paragraphs

The first sentence links the paragraph to the previous paragraph then introduces the main idea of the paragraph.

Draw everything together.
Summarise the main themes.
State your general conclusions.
Make it clear why those conclusions are important or significant.
Do not introduce new material.
In the last sentence, sum up your argument very briefly, linking it to the title.
Suggest further questions of your own.