Essay Writing

What the resources cover

Most of this unit is mind maps, and they follow the shape of an essay. Some set out the whole structure, such as 5 part essay and Essay Structure. Others zoom in on one part, such as Essay Introduction, Body Paragraphs and What makes a Good Thesis Statement. There are also maps on argumentative and comparative essays, and on common mistakes.

Where to start

Begin with the notes How to Write a Good Essay. They give a basic guide to the structure you should use. Then open the ESSAY mind map, which breaks an essay into an introduction, three body paragraphs and a concluding paragraph, with notes on proper format.

1. Read the overview notes or the 5 part essay map.
2. Move to the thesis maps, including Thesis Statement.
3. Look at body paragraphs and the topic sentence.
4. Finish with the conclusion and the checklist.

Subject-specific help

If you write history essays, the DBQ Guidelines notes cover the thesis as the last sentence of your introduction. They advise answering the question rather than restating it. The page also lists a History Essay Template map and the GRE notes on explaining your position on an issue in a timed task.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map first, then test yourself. Essay Structure and Organization - Ch 7 Part 1 checks how well you recall structure. Writing a conclusion quiz focuses on endings. History Essay Writing Quiz 1 suits history work. After each quiz, return to the map that matches the questions you missed.

Where it fits

This unit sits in the Academic Writing and Research Projects strand of Research methods and academic skills. Teachers can use the maps as ready-made planning frames in class.

Choose one map today, then make your own version in your own words.