Jess completed Year 12 in Queensland. Note that specific requirements or expectations for essay-writing in other states and in other exams may differ. Always consult the syllabus requirements for your state and subject.

External exams are approaching, and you’ll likely be preparing to write an essay for English. No matter which text you’re studying for your exam, the art of writing an essay is the same.

In this article, I provide a guide to the features of essay writing. I have included steps and examples of how to write an introduction, body paragraph and conclusion to help you ace your English exam.

Features of Essays

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is typically the last sentence of your introduction. It outlines the main point that you are trying to prove in your essay. All of your body paragraphs should support the claim you make in your thesis statement.

Depending on the essay question, sometimes you will have to take a position on a topic. This means you have to decide which way to argue, as you would in a persuasive speech. A key phrase used in these essay questions is often, “to what extent…?” Here are some examples from recent external English exams:

• Macbeth: Insecurity shapes Macbeth’s reign as king. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

• Hamlet: To what extent are Ophelia’s deterioration and death significant in the play?

Other times, the essay question will indicate what you must prove, so you do not have to make a decision about which way to argue; however, you still must provide your own evidence and analysis to prove the point. Here are some examples from recent external English exams:

• Burial Rites: Analyse how the representation of Agnes’s relationship with the farming family in Kornsá is significant in Burial Rites.

• Hamlet: Analyse how the concept of guilt is significant in Hamlet.

Quotes

Your essay has very little authority without quotes. Going into an essay exam without knowing any quotes is like going into a courtroom without any evidence. You must integrate relevant quotes into your body paragraphs to support your arguments and demonstrate your knowledge.

Your essay has very little authority without quotes. Going into an essay exam without knowing any quotes is like going into a courtroom without any evidence.

To make sure your quotes are relevant, research them as part of your exam preparation. You shouldn’t choose the quotes you’re going to memorise without fully understanding each quote. Conducting research will help you to avoid using quotes that are irrelevant or interpreting the quotes incorrectly.

So, how many quotes do you need in each body paragraph? I would aim for a minimum of two, but my preference is to include three quotes per paragraph. Keep in mind that your quotes don’t have to be long; they can be one, two or three words. In saying this, your quotes can be one to two full sentences.

If your quotes don’t quite fit the structure of your sentence, you can use ellipses (…) and square brackets to solve this. Use an ellipsis in place of any words you have removed from a quote. Use square brackets to add words or letters that are needed to ensure the quote makes sense in the sentence.

Analysis and Analytical Verbs

If you have quotes to support your points, then you are off to a great start, but essays require analysis too. You can’t just include a quote and say that it supports your argument – you must analyse the quotes to show how or why they support your argument.

The key to doing this is using analytical verbs. Analytical verbs are verbs that show you are thinking critically about the topic. You use them to make interpretive points to help to support your arguments. Here is a word bank of some strong analytical verbs:

Check out my outline on how to write a body paragraph below for some examples of how to use analytical verbs in practice. The analytical verbs are bolded and italicised. 

Concluding and Linking Sentence

It is important to write a concluding and linking sentence at the end of your body paragraphs to sum up the paragraph and cohesively transition to the next paragraph.

Example Concluding and Linking Sentence:

• While Lady Macbeth’s aversion to femininity alludes to her antagonistic character, her role in King Duncan’s regicide, and her behaviour in the immediate aftermath, expose the full extent of her evilness. 

In the above example, the first 11 words conclude the paragraph, and the last 20 words link to the next paragraph. The topic sentence of the following paragraph then flows on from this, taking the topic of Lady Macbeth’s involvement in King Duncan’s regicide and elaborating on it: 

• Lady Macbeth’s persuasion of Macbeth to commit regicide confirms her villainous spirit.

Example Essay Question

The examples I have provided below are part of an essay I wrote in a Year 12 practice exam in response to the following question:

Malcolm describes Lady Macbeth as evil or a ‘fiend-like queen.’ To what extent do you agree with Malcolm’s assessment of her character? Justify your position.

How to Write an Introduction

Your introduction should introduce the text and author, the overall essay question, your three arguments and your overarching essay claim. It should do this in such a way that the reader does not need to know the exact question you are responding to because this should be clear in your wording.

It should do this in such a way that the reader does not need to know the exact question you are responding to because this should be clear in your wording.

Here is a general introduction structure:

1. Introduce the name of the text and the author and mention the general topic of the essay.

2. Outline your three body paragraph topics. You may do this in one, two or three sentences. My preference is to write three sentences to separate my three points.

3. Write your thesis statement.

Example Introduction:

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, characters regularly defy their gender expectations and contest the patriarchal system of the 11th Century, in which the play was based. Lady Macbeth is the most prominent example of this, with her rejecting her femininity in favour of the masculine qualities necessary to commit evil deeds. Her implication in King Duncan’s regicide, from arranging how it was to be executed to her lack of remorse following its completion, clearly demonstrates her ‘fiend-like queen’ nature. However, as she becomes excluded from Macbeth’s wicked plans, her femininity, remorse and lack of evil is revealed. Lady Macbeth is arguably conveyed as an evil character, though her womanly features do make an appearance. 

How to Write a Body Paragraph

Your body paragraphs should clearly link to your introduction. The three points or arguments you outlined in your introduction should then form your three body paragraphs. I like to do this in chronological order – the first point I mentioned in my introduction will be the topic of my first body paragraph, and so on.

Here is a general body paragraph structure:

1. Topic sentence

2. Elaboration on the topic sentence

3. First quote with some context around the quote

4. Analysis of the first quote

5. Second quote with some context around the quote

6. Analysis of the second quote

7. Third quote with some context around the quote

8. Analysis of the third quote

9. Concluding and linking sentence  

Your body paragraphs will likely be about 250 words long.

Example Body Paragraph:

"Lady Macbeth’s rejection of her gender is a prime example of her evilness, particularly considering masculine women’s association with witches during the Elizabethan era. While women were expected to be submissive and gentle and give birth to children, Lady Macbeth was starkly the opposite. Upon hearing word from Macbeth regarding the witches’ prophecy that he would be King of Scotland, she proclaims, “Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty.” This accentuates Lady Macbeth’s desire for her femininity to be removed to allow her to embody the stereotypical masculine figure capable of choreographing regicide, exhibiting her dark personality. Shakespeare’s decision for Lady Macbeth to immediately revert to a murderous route rather than displaying feminine-like patience also highlights his intention to portray her as villainous. Lady Macbeth’s “unsex me here” invocation also signifies her connection to the witches as she refers to supernatural spirits. The witches are portrayed as androgynous characters in both their appearance and dark mental traits, and Lady Macbeth’s evil intentions and non-conformance with accepted gender roles emphasises her likeness to them. In addition, both Lady Macbeth and the witches do not have children. In fact, Lady Macbeth vowed that she would have “dash[ed] the brains out” of her own child should she have sworn to do so, reinforcing her wickedness. While Lady Macbeth’s aversion to femininity alludes to her antagonistic character, her role in King Duncan’s regicide, and her behaviour in the immediate aftermath, expose the full extent of her evilness."

How to Write a Conclusion

Your conclusion should clearly link back to your thesis statement and sum up your three body paragraphs.

Example Conclusion:

While Lady Macbeth reverts to a more feminine role by the play’s conclusion, her immediate belief that murder was an acceptable solution to her and Macbeth’s dilemma, coupled with her connection to witchcraft and removal of her gender in favour of masculine qualities, solidifies her evil depiction. Shakespeare utilises her demise as an instrument to reinforce that non-conformance and evil have repercussions. Overall, Malcom’s description of Lady Macbeth as a “fiend-like queen” is an accurate assessment of her unnatural character.

There are a lot of steps involved in preparing for an external English exam. Don’t neglect to learn how to write a good essay in your haste to study your given text.

Good luck!

FAQs

How many quotes should I include in each body paragraph of my essay?

While there's no fixed rule, it's generally recommended to aim for a minimum of two quotes per paragraph. However, including three quotes per paragraph is often preferred for depth and variety. Remember, the length of the quotes can vary, from one word to a couple of sentences. The key is to ensure they are relevant and effectively support your arguments. 

What are some common analytical verbs I can use to analyse quotes in my essay?

Analytical verbs are essential for demonstrating critical thinking in your essay. Some strong analytical verbs you can use include "suggests," "emphasises," "portrays," "illustrates," "demonstrates," "implies," "conveys," and "signifies," among others. These verbs help you interpret the significance of the quotes and how they contribute to your overall argument.

How should I structure my body paragraphs to ensure coherence and clarity?

A well-structured body paragraph typically starts with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of the paragraph. This is followed by elaboration on the topic sentence, including relevant quotes with context, and analysis of each quote. This can be repeated a few times. The body paragraph should end with a linking sentence that summarizes the paragraph and transitions to the next one. This structure helps maintain coherence and clarity throughout your essay.

What should I include in my essay introduction to effectively set up my argument?

Your essay introduction should start by providing essential background information about the text and author and mention the overall essay question. Then, you can outline the three main arguments you'll be discussing in your body paragraphs and present your overarching essay claim or thesis statement. This ensures that your reader understands the context of your essay and the direction of your argument from the outset.

How can I conclude my essay effectively while reinforcing my main arguments?

In your essay conclusion, it's crucial to reiterate your thesis statement and summarize the key points discussed in your body paragraphs. You can also reflect on the significance of your arguments in relation to the essay question and offer some final insights or implications. By reinforcing your main arguments and providing closure to your essay, you can leave a lasting impression on your reader.

How can I balance memorizing quotes with understanding their relevance and interpretation?

While it's important to have a repertoire of quotes for your essay, it's equally essential to understand their context and relevance to your arguments. Prioritize quality over quantity when selecting quotes and ensure you can interpret and analyse them effectively. Conduct thorough research and engage with the text to grasp the deeper meaning behind each quote, rather than simply memorizing them without comprehension.