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It details the role of each section—introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion—and emphasizes building arguments around a central thesis. It then presents two practical paragraph models, The Shaffer Formula and the MEAL plan, showing how to plan topic sentences, evidence, analysis, linkage to thesis, and concluding synthesis, plus how to iterate supporting points.",{"@graph":63,"@context":119},[64,80,102],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":11,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/presentations/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/essay-structure-the-basics-essay-writing-structure-strategies/350608/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/essay-structure-the-basics-essay-writing-structure-strategies/350608.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Mabel","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-26","2026-09-22",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":101},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",9,{"@type":103,"mainEntity":104},"FAQPage",[105,111,115],{"name":106,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":108},"What is the purpose of the introduction in an academic essay?","Question",{"text":109,"@type":110},"The introduction provides context and outlines the central argument. The thesis statement should appear at the end (or near the end) of the introduction.","Answer",{"name":112,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":113},"How should a writer structure body paragraphs around a thesis?",{"text":114,"@type":110},"Body paragraphs can be structured around the premises needed to prove the thesis. University essays often require more than three body paragraphs, and each paragraph should keep the argument central.",{"name":116,"@type":107,"acceptedAnswer":117},"What are The Shaffer Formula and the MEAL plan used for?",{"text":118,"@type":110},"They are two common ways to structure a body paragraph. Shaffer focuses on topic sentence, concrete detail, commentary, linkage to thesis, and a concluding sentence; MEAL organizes main idea, example, analysis, and a link back to the thesis or topic sentence.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":121,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":123,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":125,"site_id":56},350608,1791480612,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":128},{"doc_id":125,"user_id":129,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":130,"doc_module":9,"category_id":8,"category_name":11,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":131,"file_id":132,"file_url":133,"file_type":134,"file_size":135,"view_count":101,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":73,"language":136,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":137,"faqs":138,"seo_title":139,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":140,"read_time":9},7971474920318,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/74000ee537e6b0ca360?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1788430171632181674","Essay Structure: The Basics   \nAn essay usually follows a standard format. At some point, you have probably encountered the“burger” or “5 paragraph” technique for writing papers. Below is a modified version of this technique that better suits university academic writing.  \nIntroduction  \nThe introduction provides context and outlines the central argument proven in your paper. In the first sentence, your main goal should be to address your topic. The middle of your introduction should create context.  \nFinally, your last (or 2nd last) sentence should be your thesis statement.  \nBody Paragraphs  \nYou can often structure your body paragraphs around a strong thesis.  \nTry to identify the main premises that would be necessary to proving your thesis and structure your body paragraphs around these central ideas. University essays often require more than three body paragraphs.  \nConclusion  \nA conclusion does not just restate your thesis statement in different words. Gather the arguments you have made in your body paragraphsand explain their significance.  \nExplain how the information you presented proves your thesis statement then relate why your topic matters; this could imply relating it to broader issues.  \nEach body paragraph should be structured so that your argument is central to the paragraph. There are two common ways to structure a body paragraph: The Shaffer formula and the MEAL plan.  \n\n| The Shaffer Formula |  | The MEAL plan |  |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| TS | Topic Sentence | Main Idea | M |\n| CD | Concrete Detail | Example | E |\n| CM | Commentary | Analysis | A |\n| CM | Commentary | Link to Thesis | L |\n| Concluding Sentence |  |  |  |\n\nWe can use both of these formulas together to construct a body paragraph. Remember that every essay is different and there is no overarching formula that encompasses all topics/assignments.  \nTopic Sentence or Main Idea: The topic sentence of a paragraph documents the main content of your paragraph. It defines what you will prove.  \nConcrete Detail or Example: In this sentence, you may need to either reinforce your main idea or use a supporting example from a source, either paraphrase or quotation.  \nCommentary 1 or Analysis: Analyze your example, and explain why it is important for your argument. If you cannot explain why the supporting evidence is relevant or important, then it may need to be reconsidered.  \nCommentary 2 or Link to Topic Sentence: Link back to your topic sentence. You may also need to further deconstruct your supporting evidence.  \nRepeat: You may require additional supporting evidence. If you do, use the same structure as outlines above.  \nConcluding sentence: This sentence should synthesize the paragraph’s argument or create a link back to your thesis statement.  \nYou can modify this formula depending on essay requirements or different disciplines. In the Sciences, for example, it is usually better to include more concrete detail than analysis.","cbCaieBK9A1lYk88","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaieBK9A1lYk88","pdf",151616,"English","# Introduction\n## Thesis statement and context\n# Body Paragraphs\n## Premises and central ideas\n## The Shaffer Formula\n## The MEAL plan\n# Conclusion\n## Significance and synthesis\n# Flexible application","[{\"question\":\"What is the purpose of the introduction in an academic essay?\",\"answer\":\"The introduction provides context and outlines the central argument. The thesis statement should appear at the end (or near the end) of the introduction.\"},{\"question\":\"How should a writer structure body paragraphs around a thesis?\",\"answer\":\"Body paragraphs can be structured around the premises needed to prove the thesis. University essays often require more than three body paragraphs, and each paragraph should keep the argument central.\"},{\"question\":\"What are The Shaffer Formula and the MEAL plan used for?\",\"answer\":\"They are two common ways to structure a body paragraph. Shaffer focuses on topic sentence, concrete detail, commentary, linkage to thesis, and a concluding sentence; MEAL organizes main idea, example, analysis, and a link back to the thesis or topic sentence.\"}]","Essay Structure: The Basics - Essay Writing Structure Strategies | PDF",1790089871]