1. The Classic "Pyramid" Structure:
* Introduction: Briefly introduce your topic and your thesis statement.
* Body Paragraph 1: Present your weakest piece of evidence.
* Body Paragraph 2: Present a stronger piece of evidence, building on the previous one.
* Body Paragraph 3: Present your strongest evidence, providing the most compelling support for your thesis.
* Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis.
2. The "Climax" Structure:
* Introduction: Briefly introduce your topic and your thesis statement.
* Body Paragraph 1: Present a moderate piece of evidence.
* Body Paragraph 2: Present a strong piece of evidence, building on the previous one.
* Body Paragraph 3: Present your strongest evidence, creating a dramatic climax.
* Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis.
3. The "Reverse Pyramid" Structure:
* Introduction: Briefly introduce your topic and your thesis statement.
* Body Paragraph 1: Present your strongest evidence, immediately grabbing the reader's attention.
* Body Paragraph 2: Present a moderate piece of evidence, building on the previous one.
* Body Paragraph 3: Present your weakest piece of evidence, providing a final layer of support.
* Conclusion: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis.
Factors to Consider When Placing Your Strongest Evidence:
* Essay Type: The type of essay (argumentative, persuasive, analytical) might influence where you place your strongest evidence.
* Audience: Consider your audience and their potential biases. You might want to start with your strongest point if you need to grab their attention right away.
* Thesis Statement: The strongest evidence should directly support your thesis statement.
* Flow and Logic: The order of your evidence should flow logically, building on each other to create a cohesive argument.
Important Tips:
* Don't overuse your strongest evidence: Save it for a specific purpose. Don't simply repeat the same point throughout your essay.
* Vary your evidence types: Use a mix of statistics, expert opinions, anecdotes, and examples to support your claims.
* Present evidence clearly and concisely: Don't bury your evidence in long paragraphs.
* Analyze your evidence: Don't just present evidence; explain how it supports your thesis.
Ultimately, the best placement for your strongest evidence is the one that best serves your argument and engages your reader. Experiment with different structures and see what works best for your specific essay.