>> Structure
Not all essays need go ‘introduction’, ‘middle’ and ‘conclusion’!
Introductions that say nothing, other than repeat the title, are a waste of space. It is much better to pose a problem, ask a question, or make an assertion, that the remainder of the essay will go on to probe.
Conclusions which merely repeat the major points from your essay – especially if you use phrases like ‘thus it may be seen that’, ‘in conclusion’ or ‘to conclude’ - will undermine rather than emphasise the rhetorical force of your argument.
Your essay should be like a detective story in some ways: the fun isn't in giving the solution as in investigating the problem. Your essay should ask questions to illuminate the literature you’re discussing.
Don’t over-use paragraphs of one or two sentences, though they can be rhetorically effective if used sparingly to isolate a particularly important point, or a change of direction in your argument.
Equally, don’t allow paragraphs to spread over entirely pages: a paragraph normally corresponds to the discussion of a particular point or stage in your argument; a new paragraph indicates that you are moving on to a new thought, or developing a previous thought in new directions.
Check that the connection and flow between paragraphs will be clear to your reader; they should not isolated units of thought.
And finally, don't try to fit too much in to the essay. It's better to make one really good argument than to try and drag in every idea you've ever had about the text.
