Structuring your Paper 1 Essay (Cambridge (CIE) AS English General Paper): Revision Note

Paper 1 is the essay paper. You will be given a list of ten essay questions on modern social issues, and you have to choose one on which to respond.

The following guide on structuring your Paper 1 essay covers:

• Writing a strong introduction

• Developing clear and consistent arguments

• Writing a powerful conclusion

Writing a strong introduction

In the CIE AS English General Paper your introduction is your first opportunity to show examiners that you understand the question and have a clear line of argument. It should:

• Engage the reader immediately

• Define or frame the topic in a focused way

• Present your thesis — this is your overall answer to the question

Remember to keep it purposeful: everything you include should help to show that you know exactly what you are arguing and how you’ll prove it.

How to write an engaging opening sentence

Start your introduction with a hook; sometime that captures interest and relates directly to the question. This could be: 

• A thought-provoking question: “Should the modern world still depend on fossil fuels when cleaner alternatives are available?”

• A surprising fact or statistic: “Over 90% of the world’s energy still comes from non-renewable sources.”

• A concise observation: “Technological progress often moves faster than moral reflection.”

Avoid clichés such as “Since the dawn of time” or “In today’s modern world.”

Defining the question and stating your line of argument

Before stating your main line of argument, you should give just enough background to clarify the issue or its significance, without drifting into general knowledge. For example:

“As climate change becomes a global emergency, governments face pressure to rethink their energy policies.”

Then, state your main argument: this is your direct answer to the question. For example:

“While fossil fuels remain vital in some regions, the long-term survival of the planet depends on urgent investment in renewable energy.”

This shows the examiner that you understand the focus of the question and the key issue up for debate, without explicitly stating what you are going to cover in the essay.

Examples of high-scoring introductions

Developing clear and coherent arguments

Examiners often comment that it is more important to explore a few points or arguments in depth, rather than listing lots of points without substantial evidence and development. Each paragraph should build an argument.

Structuring your paragraphs

To ensure you remember what you need to include in every argument you make, think P-E-D/E:

Point → Evidence → Develop/Evaluate

1. Point:

   1. This is the topic sentence, or the main idea of the paragraph, directly linked to the question. It should be precise and give a clear line of argument

2. Evidence:

   1. This is where you prove your point. Evidence can take different forms depending on the essay

   2. You could use real-world examples, facts or statistics (if known, but avoid inventing them) or logical reasoning (why the point makes sense in practice)

   3. Every example must be relevant and clearly support the point you are making

3. Develop/Evaluate:

   1. This is where many candidates lose marks. It is not enough to state evidence; you must explain why it matters

   2. Develop by expanding on consequences, causes or implications; you can give a further, specific example to strengthen your point

   3. Evaluate by weighing up strengths and weaknesses, or linking to the broader question

Example paragraph

Using evidence and examples effectively

CIE examiners make it clear that a strong General Paper essay must be reasoned and well-supported. Evidence and examples are what make an argument credible. It’s not just about including examples; it’s about using them purposefully.

1. Choose evidence that fits the point:

   1. Every piece of evidence should directly support the argument in that paragraph

   2. Ask yourself: “Does this example clearly prove my point?”

   3. Avoid forcing in facts or stories that are interesting but only loosely related

2. Be specific, not vague:

   1. Examiners do not want to read “many people think” without detail

   2. Specific examples show understanding; vague ones suggest weak knowledge

3. Use realistic knowledge, not memorised facts:

   1. You do not need perfect statistics or exact years; it is better to use approximate but plausible detail than to make up precise-sounding nonsense

   2. For example, writing “In several countries, including India and Brazil..” is more believable than “In 78% of countries..” unless you can confidently justify the number

4. Explain and evaluate the evidence:

   1. You must show why the example matters

   2. For example: “The spread of false information about vaccines on social media shows how easily digital platforms can distort truth. While these platforms have improved access to information, their speed and reach make it difficult to control harmful content.”

Including a counter-argument

A counter-argument is where you consider alternate or opposing viewpoints that challenge your stand on an idea or issue. You should aim to include at least one counter-argument in your GP essay, to show that you are aware of any potential objections to your argument and are able to explore them. A strong counter-argument does not weaken your essay. It can strengthen your evaluation and can earn you higher marks for analysis.

Counter-argument paragraph framework

You can adapt the P-E-D/E framework to add a rebuttal at the end. For example:

Point → Evidence → Develop/Evaluate → Rebuttal

1. Point (introduce the opposing view):

   • Start with a clear topic sentence that acknowledges a contrasting opinion

   • For example: “Some argue that, rather than improving communication, digital technology has weakened the quality of human interaction.”

2. Evidence (support that view with an example):

   • Provide a brief, relevant example or observation that supports this position

   • For example: “For instance, studies have shown that social media encourages shorter, more superficial exchanges, replacing face-to-face conversations with text messages and emojis.”

3. Develop/Evaluate (explain why this view has merit):

   • Show that you understand why this argument seems valid

   • For example: “This suggests that, although technology connects people instantly, it often reduces emotional depth and empathy in communication. Messages can be misinterpreted and constant online interaction can create a false sense of closeness. In this sense, digital communication may appear to have made people more connected, but in reality, it can isolate them emotionally.”

4. Rebuttal (refute or balance the opposing view):

   • Acknowledge that the argument has merit, but offer reasoning or evidence to support your main stance again

   • For example: “However, this view overlooks how technology has given a voice to those who might otherwise be excluded.”

Writing a powerful conclusion

Your conclusion is not just a summary of everything that you have said in the essay. Its job is to reinforce the thesis and to show resolution. A strong conclusion leaves the impression that you have considered the issue from all sides and arrived at a reasoned view.

The secret to leaving a lasting impression

You can think of the conclusion as having three key parts:

1. Reaffirm the argument:

   1. Restate your main thesis, using different words from the introduction

   2. Confirm it in light of your discussion

2. Draw together the key ideas:

   1. Briefly show how your argument has been supported throughout the essay

3. End with reflection or insight:

   1. This could be a final, evaluative statement, a prediction or implication or a broader reflection on the issue’s importance

Example conclusion

For further guidance on marking your essay, see our guide to How your Paper 1 essay is marked.