Essay Structure

Analytical Essay Template – TEEC version

Do a four-sentence ‘HITS’ Intro:

H	Hook Sentence	Get your reader’s attention, say something interesting or shocking to make the reader want to read the rest (it has to be relevant!)
I	Issues sentence	Explain to the reader what is the topic of your writing. What is important about it? What real-world relevance might it have?
T	hypoThesis sentence	State your considered point of view about the topic, your overall argument. What will the essay prove?
S	Sub-arguments sentence	Outline the points you will be making in your TBC body paragraphs to prove that the above is correct.

Do your body paragraphs as 6-10 sentence TEEC paragraphs:

T	Topic Sentence				State what this para will prove, as simply, directly, & plainly as possible (along with the other paras, this must go to prove your hypothesis, above)
B	Body Sentences	E		Elaboration: Background & Context	Put the coming quotation or text citation in context: what are the circumstances or what is the situation that gave rise to the quote?
		E	Evidence: Introduce and quote the chosen source		Write or refer to the quote, source or image within a sentence, stating who said it/ to whom/ when etc. Be careful to reference each source according to the College referencing convention.
		L	Link the quote to TS		State what the quote proves, shows, suggests, demonstrates, in relation to your TS above
		E & E	Elaboration + Evidence: Corroboration of the source		Back it up with another text evidence that supports it, or provides a divergent angle on the same issue from a similar or divergent source
C	Concluding Sentence (also optional)				Wrap up the main thought of this para, ready to move on to the next topic sentence.

Do a four-sentence ‘STIC’ Conclusion:

S	Sub-arguments sentence	Summarise briefly the points you’ve raised in your paras i.e. your para topics	Hints: Sound organised and efficient, something like, ‘This report has shown/proved…’ and then list your points.
T	Thesis sentence	Restate your opinion or argument	Hints: Be clear and sound confident. Don’t use the same words as in Intro.
I	Issues sentence	Remind us what was important about your topic	Hints: By now you need to be convincing your reader that this is a serious issue and that he/she should agree with you.
C	Concluding sentence	Wrap it up with something for us to think about; don’t leave us up in the air	Hints: give your last word on the topic. TRY A WISE SAYING, OR GO FOR AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE

TEEC Example

T	Topic Sentence		Religious dogma enforced by the political and legal workings of a state produces socially restrictive and inhumane societies such as Saudi Arabia and Iran.
B	Body Sentences	Elaboration + evidence	The political and legal systems of Saudi Arabia and Iran demonstrate; intolerance for religious plurality, non-democratic or autocratic political processes, and unjust or severe punishments meted out for social behaviours such as adultery.
			Source One (or Smith, 1990, p3 for an essay piece) shows a reduction in percentage from _______ to _________ of worshippers from religions other than Islam in the last fifty years in both Saudi and Iran, with Saudi Arabia imposing a ban on public worship of any religion other than Islam.  Source Two shows regular occurrences of Iranian Islamic High Council suppressive practices particularly in response to political opposition groups and political rallies that advocate greater political freedom.  Both countries also exhibit comparatively high usage of the death penalty as punishment for social deviances such as adultery.
		Link the quote to TS	The relationship between religion and government in Saudi Arabia and Iran suggests a clear connection between the enforcement and propagation of religion by the state and the restriction and violation of human rights.
		Elaboration + evidence	Source Three shows that suppression of human rights is not unique to Saudi Arabia and Iran but is replicated in countries who have legal and political laws that restrict expression of religion.
C	Concluding Sentence		Religion embedded in the structure of a state does not guarantee the restriction of human rights or compassion within society; it is the nature of the political and legal processes and practices that cause violation of human rights.