How To Organize The Body Of An Essay

Just the plain facts!Just the plain facts!

PRESENTATION SERIESPRESENTATION SERIES

How to organize the body of an How to organize the body of an essayessay

© © Nicholas G. Ashby 2004 Nicholas G. Ashby 2004

How to organize the body of an essayHow to organize the body of an essay

BackgroundBackground

So you have done the reading and research,So you have done the reading and research,

and you are now ready to start writing yourand you are now ready to start writing your

paper. paper. But there are so many ideas and factsBut there are so many ideas and facts

you want to include that you are not sure howyou want to include that you are not sure how

to organize them in the body of the essay!!to organize them in the body of the essay!!

Sound familiar?! If so, read on…Sound familiar?! If so, read on…

DiagramsDiagrams

Creating a diagram of the structure of yourCreating a diagram of the structure of your

essay before writing can be useful. essay before writing can be useful. DiagramsDiagrams

typically consist of key ideas, keytypically consist of key ideas, key

arguments, or key stages, arranged in thearguments, or key stages, arranged in the

order you want them to be discussed in theorder you want them to be discussed in the

essay.essay. When you organize your keyWhen you organize your key

components, the minor facts will fall into components, the minor facts will fall into place.place.

Example of a simple diagramExample of a simple diagram

EnvironmentHuman health

Longhalf-life

Malariacontrol

Saves millionsof lives

each year

Similarities Differences

Strengths Weaknesses

Argument fora ban on DDT

Argument againsta ban on DDT

Compare and contrast

Evaluate arguments

DiagramsDiagrams

The beauty of diagrams is that they allow The beauty of diagrams is that they allow youyou

to work out the organization of an essayto work out the organization of an essay

without the need to write a draft. without the need to write a draft.

But a drawback But a drawback of diagrams is of diagrams is that they are of that they are of limited use if limited use if your problem is your problem is that of working that of working out what the key out what the key components of components of the essay should the essay should be!be!

Key ideas, arguments and stagesKey ideas, arguments and stages

If your problem is that of working out what If your problem is that of working out what thethe

key components of your essay should be, key components of your essay should be, herehere

are some tips:are some tips:

key ideas, key arguments, and key key ideas, key arguments, and key stages are ideas, arguments or stages stages are ideas, arguments or stages that play a major role in the topic or that play a major role in the topic or issue you are writing about;issue you are writing about; minor ideas minor ideas or minor stages support or describe key or minor stages support or describe key ideas or key stagesideas or key stages

Key ideas, arguments and stages – Key ideas, arguments and stages – tipstips

A useful starting-point in working out A useful starting-point in working out the key components of your essay is to the key components of your essay is to decide whether the topic you are decide whether the topic you are writing about mostly involves key writing about mostly involves key ideas, key arguments, or key stages in ideas, key arguments, or key stages in a processa process

Key ideas, arguments and stages - Key ideas, arguments and stages - tipstips

pay attention to headings and sub-pay attention to headings and sub-headings in the material you will base headings in the material you will base your essay on;your essay on; headings and sub- headings and sub-headings can provide clues about what headings can provide clues about what the key ideas, arguments or stages arethe key ideas, arguments or stages are

Key ideas, arguments and stages – Key ideas, arguments and stages – tipstips

reflect on the themes and messages of reflect on the themes and messages of the course – these can sometimes help the course – these can sometimes help you select key components for your you select key components for your essay;essay; if your research material can be if your research material can be interpreted in different ways, choose interpreted in different ways, choose the interpretation that best connects the interpretation that best connects with issues emphasized in the course. with issues emphasized in the course. The way you interpret your research The way you interpret your research material will influence your choice of material will influence your choice of key ideaskey ideas

Organizational patternsOrganizational patterns

If your problem is that of deciding how toIf your problem is that of deciding how to

arrange key components in your essay,arrange key components in your essay, then itthen it

is useful to think about which of the is useful to think about which of the followingfollowing

three organizational patterns is three organizational patterns is appropriate:appropriate:

spatialspatial chronologicalchronological logicallogical

Spatial patternsSpatial patterns

If your essay involves description or analysis ofIf your essay involves description or analysis of

an object or stretch of land, you can impose aan object or stretch of land, you can impose a

spatial pattern on your key ideas. spatial pattern on your key ideas. SpatialSpatial

patterns are particularly useful for essays thatpatterns are particularly useful for essays that

involve:involve:

describing/evaluating visual artdescribing/evaluating visual art describing/evaluating geographical featuresdescribing/evaluating geographical features environmental studies/analysesenvironmental studies/analyses describing/evaluating architecture.describing/evaluating architecture.


For geographical descriptions andFor geographical descriptions and

environmental studies, you can impose aenvironmental studies, you can impose a

North-South-East-West pattern on the land youNorth-South-East-West pattern on the land you

are writing about.are writing about. Point out that you will begin Point out that you will begin

by discussing a particular area, the North, say,by discussing a particular area, the North, say,

followed by another area, the South, say, andfollowed by another area, the South, say, and

so on. In this way, so on. In this way, your key ideas fall intoyour key ideas fall into

easily arranged groups (northern, southern,easily arranged groups (northern, southern,

eastern and western).eastern and western).


For description and evaluation of visual art orFor description and evaluation of visual art or

architecture, you can impose a top-to-bottom,architecture, you can impose a top-to-bottom,

bottom-to-top, or side-to-side pattern on thebottom-to-top, or side-to-side pattern on the

object or feature you’re writing about.object or feature you’re writing about. Point outPoint out

that you will discuss a particular aspect, thethat you will discuss a particular aspect, the

top, say, followed by another aspect, thetop, say, followed by another aspect, the

middle, say, and so on. In this way, middle, say, and so on. In this way, your keyyour key

ideas fall into easily arranged groups (top,ideas fall into easily arranged groups (top,

middle, bottom, or left, right).middle, bottom, or left, right).


Some geographical/environmental Some geographical/environmental featuresfeatures

come with their own spatial patterns.come with their own spatial patterns. If If your your

essay is about a river, you can order key essay is about a river, you can order key ideasideas

according to upstream-downstream andaccording to upstream-downstream and

river-riverbank patterns. river-riverbank patterns.


If your essay is about a mountain, you If your essay is about a mountain, you cancan

order key ideas according to a order key ideas according to a

summit-middle-base pattern. summit-middle-base pattern.

If you are writing about a If you are writing about a

forest, you can order keyforest, you can order key

ideas according to an upper-middle-ideas according to an upper-middle-lower-lower-

canopy-forest-floor canopy-forest-floor pattern!pattern!


Visual art and architecture also often Visual art and architecture also often come withcome with

their own spatial patterns.their own spatial patterns.

If you are writing about a If you are writing about a

famous statue, you can famous statue, you can

order key ideas according order key ideas according

to a head-torso-legs pattern. to a head-torso-legs pattern.


EASY!

If you are writing If you are writing about the about the architecture of aarchitecture of achurch, you can church, you can order key ideas order key ideas according to a according to a steeple-roof-walls steeple-roof-walls pattern.pattern.

Chronological patternsChronological patterns

If your essay involves describing or analyzingIf your essay involves describing or analyzing

events or stages, you can impose aevents or stages, you can impose a

chronological pattern on your key ideas orchronological pattern on your key ideas or

arguments. arguments. Chronological patterns areChronological patterns are

particularly useful for essays involving:particularly useful for essays involving:

description/analysis of historical eventsdescription/analysis of historical events description/analysis of geological processesdescription/analysis of geological processes description/analysis of chemical processesdescription/analysis of chemical processes description/analysis of biological processes. description/analysis of biological processes.


For description and evaluation of historicalFor description and evaluation of historical

events, impose an earlier-later pattern on theevents, impose an earlier-later pattern on the

stages that lead up to or constitute the stages that lead up to or constitute the event.event.

Your key ideas then fall into easily orderedYour key ideas then fall into easily ordered

earlier-later groups. Point out in your essayearlier-later groups. Point out in your essay

that you will discuss the most important that you will discuss the most important stagesstages

leading up to or constituting the event. leading up to or constituting the event.


For description and analysis of a For description and analysis of a geological,geological,

chemical, or biological process, impose chemical, or biological process, impose anan

earlier-later pattern on the stages thatearlier-later pattern on the stages that

constitute the process.constitute the process. Your key ideas Your key ideas then fallthen fall

into easily ordered earlier-later groups. into easily ordered earlier-later groups. IndicateIndicate

the order of the stages discussed.the order of the stages discussed.

Logical patternsLogical patterns

If your essay involves explaining or analyzing If your essay involves explaining or analyzing aa

concept, you can impose a logical pattern onconcept, you can impose a logical pattern on

your key ideas and arguments. your key ideas and arguments. Logical Logical patternspatterns

are particularly useful for essays primarilyare particularly useful for essays primarily

involving:involving:

explanation of an ideaexplanation of an idea description and critique of an argumentdescription and critique of an argument explanation and critique of a social, literary, explanation and critique of a social, literary,

or philosophical topicor philosophical topic


The explanation of an idea involves The explanation of an idea involves translatingtranslating

it into other ideas that elucidate its meaning.it into other ideas that elucidate its meaning.

Suppose that you had to write an essay on Suppose that you had to write an essay on thethe

topic of global warming. The following slidetopic of global warming. The following slide

shows this idea translated into ideas that go shows this idea translated into ideas that go toto

make up the idea of global warming.make up the idea of global warming.


Global warming

Greenhouseeffect

Increasedcarbon

dioxide in atmosphere

Kyotoprotocol

Alternatives to fossil fuel

Caused byhuman activity?

Causednaturally?

Drought

FloodingSpread of

insect-carrieddiseases

Climatechange

Risingsea-level


A logical pattern has not yet been A logical pattern has not yet been imposed onimposed on

the ideas that make up the idea of globalthe ideas that make up the idea of global

warming. warming. First, ideas that are particularlyFirst, ideas that are particularly

relevant to each other must be groupedrelevant to each other must be grouped

together. together. This has been done on the next This has been done on the next slide.slide.


Greenhouse effect.

Increased carbondioxide in atmosphere.

Climate change.

Rising sea-levels.

Flooding.

Drought.

Spread ofinsect-carried

diseases.

Caused naturally?

Caused by human activity?

Kyoto protocol.

Alternatives tofossil fuel.


Next, the ideas within each group must be putNext, the ideas within each group must be put

into a sequence that makes sense.into a sequence that makes sense. It makes It makes

better sense to discuss drought and floodingbetter sense to discuss drought and flooding

after introducing climate change. It makesafter introducing climate change. It makes

better sense to discuss flooding afterbetter sense to discuss flooding after

discussing rising sea-levels. And it makesdiscussing rising sea-levels. And it makes

better sense to discuss the spread of better sense to discuss the spread of

insect-carried diseases after discussing insect-carried diseases after discussing climateclimate

change. change. You will notice that the ideas in eachYou will notice that the ideas in each

group have already been sequenced!group have already been sequenced!

Logical patternsFinally, the groups of sequenced ideas

mustthemselves be sequenced in a way that

makesthe most sense. This has been done on

thenext two slides.Easy!

Logical patterns It makes little sense to discuss climate change

without first setting it within the context of the greenhouse effect.

Unless the possible effects are explained first, the reader cannot know the importance of whether

the greenhouse effect is caused by human activity.

If the possible causes of the greenhouse effect are not explained first, how can the reader know why alternatives to fossil fuels are important?

Greenhouse effect.Increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere.

Climate change.Rising sea-levels.

Flooding.Drought.

Spread of insect-carried diseases.

Caused naturally?Caused by human activity?

Kyoto protocol.

Alternatives to fossil fuel.

Logical patternsThe description and critique of an

argumentinvolves explaining and evaluating ideas,

andexplaining and evaluating the inferentialconnections between them. Argument

structureprovides a logical pattern you can follow

duringyour description and critique of an

argument.


Basic argument structures:Basic argument structures:

Simple Serial LinkedSimple Serial Linked

Reason Reason Reason + Reason Reason Reason + ReasonReason

Conclusion Reason Conclusion Reason ConclusionConclusion

Conclusion Conclusion


Basic argument structures:Basic argument structures:

Convergent DivergentConvergent Divergent

Reason Reason ReasonReason Reason Reason

Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion Conclusion ConclusionConclusion

Logical patternsLogical patternsMany argument structures are Many argument structures are

combinations ofcombinations ofbasic patterns:basic patterns: Reason + Reason + ReasonReason + Reason + Reason

ReasonReason

Reason Reason

Reason Reason Reason Reason

ConclusionConclusion

Logical patternsAn argument consists of a conclusionand of reasons (evidence) that are supposedto support the conclusion. Your key ideas willbe your descriptions and evaluation of thesereasons, together with your evaluation of theirinferential connections with each other andwith the conclusion. Hence, the organization ofyour essay can mirror the structure of theargument you are writing about.

Logical patternsExplanation and critique of a social, literary orphilosophical topic will combine explanation ofideas and evaluation of arguments. Hence, thebody of the essay is organized by sequencingkey ideas according to relevance and clarity (aswe did with global warming), and by mirroringthe structure of arguments at places whereyou discuss concepts, reasons, conclusions,and their inferential connections.

Combined organizational patternsCombined organizational patterns

Often, the body of an essay is best organizedOften, the body of an essay is best organized

by using a combination of organizationalby using a combination of organizational

patterns.patterns. If you are required to write a critical If you are required to write a critical

essay on the effects of urban developmentessay on the effects of urban development

close to the Oak Ridges Moraine, you may useclose to the Oak Ridges Moraine, you may use

a combination of spatial patterns (to describea combination of spatial patterns (to describe

key features of the area), chronologicalkey features of the area), chronological

patterns (to describe chemical and biologicalpatterns (to describe chemical and biological

processes), and logical patterns (to explain processes), and logical patterns (to explain keykey

ideas and evaluate arguments). ideas and evaluate arguments).

Impact!Impact!

Organize your groups of key ideas to create theOrganize your groups of key ideas to create the

greatest impact on the reader.greatest impact on the reader. Suppose you have to Suppose you have to

write an essay on urban development near thewrite an essay on urban development near the

Oak Ridges Moraine, and that you haveOak Ridges Moraine, and that you have

discovered three negative chemical/biologicaldiscovered three negative chemical/biological

effects, one minor, the other not so minor, andeffects, one minor, the other not so minor, and

the last one devastating! You have organized your the last one devastating! You have organized your keykey

ideas concerning each of these effects according to ideas concerning each of these effects according to aa

chronological pattern. chronological pattern. But you still have a choiceBut you still have a choice

about which effect to discuss first, second, and so about which effect to discuss first, second, and so on.on.

Impact!Impact!

EFFECTSEFFECTS

SEQUENCEDSEQUENCED

FORFOR

IMPACTIMPACT

MINOR EFFECT Key ideas organized

chronologically

LESS MINOR EFFECTKey ideas organized

chronologically

DEVASTATING EFFECTKey ideas organized

chronologically

Impact!Impact!

If you began by discussing the If you began by discussing the devastatingdevastating

effect and finished with a discussion of effect and finished with a discussion of thethe

minor effect, the body of your essay minor effect, the body of your essay would endwould end

on an anticlimax. This must be avoided. on an anticlimax. This must be avoided. AlwaysAlways

sequence components so that they give sequence components so that they give thethe

impression of a build up to a climax. impression of a build up to a climax.

Impact!Impact!

Key ideas and arguments can be Key ideas and arguments can be sequencedsequenced

for impact using these scales:for impact using these scales:

Least importantLeast important Most Most importantimportant

Less recent Less recent More recentMore recent

Least persuasive Least persuasive Most Most persuasivepersuasive

Simplest Simplest Most Most complexcomplex

Impact!Impact!

It is not always easy to see how componentsIt is not always easy to see how components

can be arranged to have an impact.can be arranged to have an impact. If no key If no key

idea or argument seems to be moreidea or argument seems to be more

important, recent, persuasive, or simpler important, recent, persuasive, or simpler thanthan

any other, then…any other, then…

pretend otherwise, for thepretend otherwise, for the

sake of rhetorical effect!!sake of rhetorical effect!!

Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions

1. It seems like a jumble of unrelated1. It seems like a jumble of unrelated

facts – help!facts – help!

You may be trying to sequence facts beforeYou may be trying to sequence facts before

having sorted them into groups. having sorted them into groups. Think aboutThink about

what the main ideas are first. Next, try towhat the main ideas are first. Next, try to

group the minor facts according to the maingroup the minor facts according to the main

ideas they belong to. Now you can think ideas they belong to. Now you can think aboutabout

sequencing the minor facts within each sequencing the minor facts within each group.group.

Finally, you can sequence the main ideasFinally, you can sequence the main ideas

themselves.themselves.


2. All the facts seem like main ideas to2. All the facts seem like main ideas to

me – help!me – help!You may need to impose an organizational patternYou may need to impose an organizational pattern

(see earlier slides) on the topic you are writing about,(see earlier slides) on the topic you are writing about,

in order to create groups of related facts. in order to create groups of related facts. Once youOnce you

have worked out groups of related facts, you shouldhave worked out groups of related facts, you should

find it easier to identify main ideas. You should alsofind it easier to identify main ideas. You should also

note any headings, sub-headings, pictures ornote any headings, sub-headings, pictures or

diagrams in your reading material, as these may givediagrams in your reading material, as these may give

clues about main ideas that you can use to group theclues about main ideas that you can use to group the

minor facts.minor facts.


3. I’ve worked out the main ideas, but I3. I’ve worked out the main ideas, but I

am not sure how to organize themam not sure how to organize them

Well done for accomplishing the hard part!Well done for accomplishing the hard part!

Organizing your main ideas is not difficult.Organizing your main ideas is not difficult.

Simply organize them according to spatial,Simply organize them according to spatial,

chronological, or logical patterns (see earlierchronological, or logical patterns (see earlier

slides), or use combinations of these slides), or use combinations of these patterns.patterns.


4. I have to write about an argument –4. I have to write about an argument –

where do I start?!where do I start?!

Any argument has a structure (see earlierAny argument has a structure (see earlier

slides) that you can exploit in order toslides) that you can exploit in order to

organize your key ideas. organize your key ideas. Begin by discussingBegin by discussing

the conclusion, and work your way up the conclusion, and work your way up throughthrough

the reasons. Or start with the reasons andthe reasons. Or start with the reasons and

work your way down to the conclusion.work your way down to the conclusion.

Simple!Simple! For more on arguments, see the BWC For more on arguments, see the BWC

presentation on how to argue for a thesis.presentation on how to argue for a thesis.

Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions5. Should I compare and contrast two5. Should I compare and contrast twothings in the same paragraph or inthings in the same paragraph or indifferent paragraphs?different paragraphs?There is really no advantage to doing it oneThere is really no advantage to doing it oneway or the other. way or the other. But if the two things beingBut if the two things beingcompared are easy to deal with, it makescompared are easy to deal with, it makessense to compare and contrast them in thesense to compare and contrast them in thesame paragraph. If the two things beingsame paragraph. If the two things beingcompared are complex, then it might becompared are complex, then it might beeasier to give them separate paragraphs.easier to give them separate paragraphs.

Other sources and resourcesOther sources and resources Make an appointment for the Bethune Writing CentreMake an appointment for the Bethune Writing Centre (go to Master’s office at 205 Bethune to book a slot(go to Master’s office at 205 Bethune to book a slot or call 416 736 2100 ext. 22035) or call 416 736 2100 ext. 22035)

Visit York Centre for Academic Writing online resources Visit York Centre for Academic Writing online resources at:at:

http://www.arts.yorku.ca/caw/resources.htmlhttp://www.arts.yorku.ca/caw/resources.html

The following books may be useful:The following books may be useful:

Stewart, K. L., Kowler, M. E., & Bullock, C. (1985). Stewart, K. L., Kowler, M. E., & Bullock, C. (1985). EssayEssayWriting For Canadian StudentsWriting For Canadian Students (2 (2ndnd ed.). Scarborough, ed.). Scarborough,

Ont.:Ont.:Prentice-Hall. Prentice-Hall. Call number: LB 2369 S74Call number: LB 2369 S74

Troyka, Lynn Quitman (2002). Troyka, Lynn Quitman (2002). Simon & Schuster handbookSimon & Schuster handbookfor writersfor writers (3 (3rdrd ed.). Scarborough, Ont.: Prentice-Hall. ed.). Scarborough, Ont.: Prentice-Hall.Call number: PE 1408 T697Call number: PE 1408 T697

How To Organize The Body Of An Essay

Business

oak ridges

frequently

increased

basic argument

easily arranged

order key

rising sea

visual art