How to structure a law essay

To produce a good law essay structure, the writer should draw up an essay plan to set out the argument(s) which he or she intends to present. The introduction should start with the main points of the argument, and follow by indicating how the arguments will be delivered by each paragraph. The plan should finally set out, in brief, a ‘summing up’ of the argument(s) and the writer’s overall view of those argument(s). In fact, there is no single formula which can be given for the purposes of ascertaining a good law essay structure.

The writer should split his or her main thoughts or ideas into ‘arguments’ and devote paragraphs to those. The following law essay structure could be adopted:

Introduction

  • The introduction should always be considered by the writer as the most important part to a law essay structure. The main purpose of the introduction is to tell the reader what the main theme or discussion of the whole essay is and to set out the main arguments of the essay. The writer should also briefly describe how those arguments will be presented.
  • If there is more than one question to the essay, the writer may want to split it into two. The writer should then explain this law essay structure in the introduction. The writer should also bear in mind that the introduction must be short and to the point, and at bare minimum, no longer than 15% of the entire essay.

Paragraph 1

  • Before starting the first paragraph, the writer may wish to consider using a ‘sub-title approach’ in order to lay out the main ideas of each paragraph. This should provide a flavour of what is to come, which, in turn will make for easier understanding or a logical law essay structure.
  • A ‘topic sentence’ (i.e. the main point of the paragraph should be contained in the first sentence) is also vital to maintaining a good law essay structure.
  • Thereafter, the writer might want to talk about the general idea of his/her main argument(s). However, this should be no longer than 15% of the essay because such idea must be discussed in the following paragraphs.

Paragraphs 2, 3 & 4

  • Here the writer should attempt to submit a deep explanation or discussion of the thoughts underlying the main argument.
  • The writer should avoid the trap of simply describing the word(s) from the essay topic. Although the writer could do this by taking two or three lines to define the core words of a topic, the writer should be aware not to be too descriptive. This would simply bore the reader!
  • Furthermore, one theme should be discussed in each paragraph. This will help with the writer’s law essay structure.
  • Finally, in order to keep a good law essay structure, the writer should try to maintain consistency in the number of words in relation to each argument. This part should take up no more than 35% of the essay.

Paragraphs 5 & 6

  • At this stage, the writer may start the second half of the essay (if any) or start to discuss some counter-arguments. If there is no counter-argument or second part to the essay, the writer should discuss his or her further thoughts or attempt to develop the core issue of the essay.
  • Furthermore, as this is the latter part of the essay, the writer should keep an eye on the content. The writer should constantly ask him/herself whether the argument is relevant.
  • However, in order to maintain a good law essay structure, the writer should avoid repeating points and not be too long-winded. Otherwise, the essay would be too boring. This part should take up no more than 20% of the essay.

Conclusion

  • The conclusion can be considered as the second most important part to a law essay structure. Here the writer should sum up all of his/her arguments. No new ideas or materials should be introduced or discussed in the conclusion. Whatever the argument has been, the writer should try to sum up what has been said in the main body of the essay. This part should consist of 15% of the essay.
  • The writer should always remind him/herself that the conclusion is the ‘last chance’ for adjusting the content and the overall law essay structure. If the points in the conclusion do not match the introduction or the body of the essay, the writer may need to re-write part or the whole of the essay.

Reminders:

If the writer has a good law essay structure, then he or she will ensure that the essay has properly analysed the core issue of the topic in question. To structure a good law essay is not a simple procedure; however, it is an important step, and may prove to be the difference between success and failure. The writer’s next step should be to think about the overall law essay structure and consider which references or authorities could be used for supporting or undermining his or her argument(s). If the writer has not enough references for a certain point, he or she should do more research or abandon such point in order to keep the structure of the law essay well-organised.

The writer must always remember that the introduction is the most important part to a good law essay structure. Further, if there are no strong argument(s) or if argument(s) have not been thought through thoroughly, then the essay is not going to work even if the writer has a good essay plan. The conclusion is equally significant to a good law essay structure. The purpose of concluding the essay is not only to sum up arguments that the writer has presented, but also provides a good opportunity to ensure that such essay is well-presented. If the writer cannot sum up the arguments which have been discussed in the essay, or if those arguments do not match the core argument which has been developed in the introduction; that means that something has gone wrong. Therefore, the ‘conclusion’ provides a good chance for the writer to review the essay (and indeed, the law essay structure), and to adjust the arguments in order to ensure that all the points which have been made are the points which the writer has intended to make. The most important reminder is that no new idea(s) should be introduced in the conclusion. If the law essay structure is good, this will never happen as all the arguments will have been developed in the body of the essay. If it happens, the writer must adjust or even re-write the essay to ensure that the body of the essay has delivered all the arguments.