What You Need to Know

Key Concept Diagram

Introduction: hook, background context, and a clear thesis statement (your main argument)

Body paragraphs: TEEL structure - Topic sentence, Explanation, Evidence, Link back to thesis

Conclusion: restate the thesis in different words, summarise key points, broader significance

Formal register: avoid contractions, colloquialisms, and first person ("I") in academic writing

Evidence: quotations, statistics, examples support and develop your argument

Key Vocabulary

Thesis Statement

A clear sentence in the introduction that states the main argument of the essay

TEEL

A paragraph structure: Topic sentence, Explanation, Evidence, Link to thesis

Formal Register

Language that is impersonal, precise, and avoids colloquialisms; used in academic writing

Contention

The overall argument or position that the writer is putting forward in the essay

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

What is the purpose of a thesis statement?

To state the main argument of the essay in the introduction To summarise the whole essay in the conclusion To provide background information about the topic To list the evidence that will be used

Question 2

In the TEEL paragraph structure, what does the "E" for Evidence involve?

Explaining the topic sentence in your own words Providing quotes, examples, or data to support your argument Writing the ending sentence of the paragraph Evaluating the essay topic

Question 3

Which of the following is appropriate in a formal essay?

"I think Shakespeare was amazing" "Honestly, Macbeth is pretty scary" "Shakespeare's use of imagery in Macbeth creates a sense of darkness and foreboding" "Everyone knows Shakespeare was the best writer"

Formal Essay Structure