How to Write the Perfect Essay Series: A Sample Paper Structure + Downloadable

Writing a great paper can be hard, but being able to consistently write a great paper is a skill you can acquire. If you want to know the method I wrote papers in my undergraduate degree at Simon Fraser University that consistently got A+ marks then read my article How to Get an A+ on Any Paper You Write here.

In this post I cover the sample paper structure you need in a simple table format to clearly organize any essay you will write in the social sciences or humanities during your undergraduate degree. The link I provide above covers in detail what you should include in each of these sessions and how to create the content.

Here is the sample paper structure I provide for a basic research paper, which comprises in some form or another, what every undergraduate essay requires.

Paragraphs	Content
Intro	Hook (such as a stat or alarming quote that grabs my attention) I am arguing this… (known as your main thesis or argument) This is how I will argue it (your proposed methodology) This is why it is important (a value statement)
Lit Review	This is what others have said about the topic This is how I (and others) define key concepts I will use (this is called operationalization)
Body  (1-3 paragraphs)	Repeat the following sample structure as much as necessary: Here is a piece of evidence (observation/evidence) Here is my interpretation of that evidence Here is how this evidence relates to my main thesis (or helps proves my main thesis) Here is why that is important (value statement)
Discussion (Some people call this a conclusion)	How does each piece of evidence I presented relate to each other? How does each piece of evidence I presented relate to (or help prove) my main thesis? Why is this important? What are the limitations/flaws in my research? And how do I compensate for that? Clever ending sentence (either it incorporates your title in a pun or clever way, or it relates back to your hook at the beginning of your paper. Either way, you want the reader to come full circle)

For a free PDF downloadable of this file you can get it from my Dropbox here:
Downloadable Sample Structure Handout

Let me know if there is any other writing or study topics you want me to create resources for! Any questions? Leave a comment or shoot me an email at misslaurenkyle@gmail.com.