A well-organised essay has three main parts. The introduction states the topic and often previews the main points that will follow. The body paragraphs each develop one main idea with supporting details, usually one paragraph per point. The conclusion sums up the main points and often leaves the reader with a final thought, without introducing brand new ideas.
Example
Introduction: "Recycling benefits both the environment and the economy." Body: one paragraph on environmental benefits, one on economic benefits. Conclusion: "For these reasons, recycling should be a habit every household builds."
Key terms
Introduction:
The opening part of an essay that states the topic and previews the main points.
Body paragraph:
A paragraph that develops one main idea with supporting details.
Conclusion:
The closing part of an essay that sums up the main points.
Questions
1. The introduction of an essay usually:
Ends the essay
States the topic and previews main points
Contains no information
Repeats the title only
2. Body paragraphs mainly:
Introduce the topic
Develop one main idea each with details
Conclude the essay
Contain no content
3. The conclusion of an essay usually:
Introduces brand new ideas
Sums up the main points
Starts the essay
Contains only questions
4. A typical essay structure has:
Introduction, body and conclusion
Only a conclusion
Only body paragraphs
No clear structure
5. Each body paragraph should usually focus on:
Every idea in the essay at once
One main idea
No idea at all
The title only
6. Which part of the essay comes first?
Conclusion
Body
Introduction
None of these
7. A conclusion introducing a completely new, unrelated idea is generally considered:
Good practice
Poor structure
Required
The best part of an essay
8. Which sentence would most likely appear in an introduction?
In conclusion, recycling matters.
Recycling benefits both the environment and the economy.
For example, glass can be reused.
This paragraph will discuss the economy.
9. Which sentence would most likely appear in a conclusion?
For these reasons, recycling should be a habit every household builds.
Firstly, recycling reduces landfill waste.
Recycling also saves energy.
This essay will explore recycling.
10. A body paragraph about "economic benefits of recycling" should mainly include:
Details and evidence about economic benefits
Details about an unrelated topic
Only the conclusion
Nothing at all
11. An essay with three main points would typically have:
One giant paragraph for everything
Roughly three body paragraphs
Only an introduction
No body paragraphs
12. Previewing main points in the introduction mainly helps the reader:
Know what to expect from the essay
Skip reading the essay entirely
Get confused
Ignore the topic
13. Which best describes a well-structured essay?
Random ideas with no clear order
A clear introduction, organised body paragraphs and a fitting conclusion
Only one very long paragraph
An essay with no introduction
14. A conclusion that simply repeats the introduction word-for-word is usually considered:
Excellent writing
Weak, since it adds nothing new
Required in every essay
The most important part
15. Why might a strong conclusion restate the main points in different words rather than copying them exactly?
To seem lazy
To reinforce the argument without feeling repetitive
Because repetition is required
Because it must always be shorter than the introduction
16. An essay that jumps between unrelated ideas within a single body paragraph is likely to:
Feel clear and organised
Confuse the reader and weaken the argument
Improve automatically
Need no further editing
17. Which is the best order for planning an essay before writing?
Write the conclusion, then guess the rest
Decide the main points, then plan an introduction, body and conclusion around them
Write randomly with no plan
Copy someone else's structure exactly
18. A body paragraph lacking any supporting evidence or examples is considered:
Strong and convincing
Weak, since a claim is not backed up
Unnecessary to fix
The ideal length
19. Essay structure matters mainly because it:
Has no effect on how convincing or clear the writing is
Helps the reader follow the argument logically from start to finish
Is only a formality with no real purpose
Replaces the need for evidence
20. Which is most true about strong essay conclusions?
They should introduce a completely new argument
They should reinforce the essay's point without adding new claims
They should be the longest paragraph
They should only ask questions
Answer key (parent copy)
1. States the topic and previews main points
2. Develop one main idea each with details
3. Sums up the main points
4. Introduction, body and conclusion
5. One main idea
6. Introduction
7. Poor structure
8. Recycling benefits both the environment and the economy.
9. For these reasons, recycling should be a habit every household builds.
10. Details and evidence about economic benefits
11. Roughly three body paragraphs
12. Know what to expect from the essay
13. A clear introduction, organised body paragraphs and a fitting conclusion
14. Weak, since it adds nothing new
15. To reinforce the argument without feeling repetitive
16. Confuse the reader and weaken the argument
17. Decide the main points, then plan an introduction, body and conclusion around them
18. Weak, since a claim is not backed up
19. Helps the reader follow the argument logically from start to finish
20. They should reinforce the essay's point without adding new claims