Essay writing is, at its core, a structured piece of writing that express a specific point of view or argument. To effectively convey this point of view or argument, an essay is typically broken down into different sections, each with its own purpose:
Introduction
- Provide context or background for your topic
- Clearly state your main thesis: your central argument or the point you want to make
- Capture the reader’s interest with a hook (a captivating statement or question)
Body Paragraphs
- Each paragraph should further explain or support your thesis
- Start with a topic sentence that outlines the main point of each paragraph
- Add a controlling idea that elaborates on the topic sentence
- Support the controlling idea with evidence, which could be examples, data, or personal experiences
Conclusion
- Summarise the main points you have discussed
- Rephrase your thesis based on your discussion
- For an argumentative essay: finish with a persuasive call to action
Example
The Internet and the World Wide Web – Opportunities and Threats
When Sir Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web in 1990, he envisioned a platform connecting people, fostering equality, and sharing knowledge across borders. Initially, this vision seemed within reach, illustrated by the rapid coordination of relief efforts following Haiti’s 2010 earthquake (Jeffries). However, as the Web evolved, so too did the forces that shaped it, often in ways that contradicted Berners-Lee’s founding principles. Today, the Internet and the Web stand as forces of both extraordinary promise and profound risk, shaping our world in ways we are only beginning to grasp.
One undeniable opportunity created by the Web is the global spread of information and innovation. The rise of Big Data, as outlined by Steve Ernst, has transformed sectors such as healthcare, urban planning, and consumer services. Ernst describes how sophisticated data analytics allow doctors to compare the case histories of patients worldwide, offering the possibility of more precise diagnoses and treatments. Similarly, city planners can use data to predict how new bus lines might impact crime rates and employment levels (Ernst). These examples show that when harnessed ethically, the Internet and the Web can enhance our lives, make institutions more efficient, and connect people across previously unreachable distances.
Yet, alongside these developments, the risks cannot be ignored. The same article on Big Data raises urgent concerns about privacy. As the “Internet of Things” expands, our digital devices are becoming increasingly capable of collecting large volumes of information about our habits and behaviours (Ernst). While these technologies promise greater convenience, they also raise the risk of surveillance and loss of personal freedom. As Dame Wendy Hall warns, unless a new “charter of human rights on the Internet” is established, there is a risk that the digital landscape will erode the very freedoms it once aimed to expand (Warman).
The darker sides of the Web are not limited to questions of privacy. As Stuart Jeffries notes, the early egalitarian dreams of the Web have been compromised by the rise of semi-closed platforms, corporate control, and state surveillance. Companies like Facebook tailor users’ experiences to maximise engagement and profit, often reinforcing biases and filtering information to what users want to see (Jeffries). The Web, once imagined as a liberating force, has in many ways become a platform for commercial and political agendas.
Moreover, the emergence of cybercrime illustrates the threats hidden beneath technological progress. Sophie Curtis reports how cyberattacks are now used to steal data and assist traditional criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and financial fraud (Curtis). In many cases, cyberattacks have even been linked to the destruction of critical infrastructure, with potentially deadly consequences. These developments reveal that the border between the digital and the physical worlds is increasingly blurred, and our vulnerabilities extend far beyond the screen.
In the face of these challenges, it is tempting either to glorify the Internet’s potential or to dismiss it as a force beyond our control. Both reactions fall short. We must recognise the Internet and the Web for what they are: powerful tools whose impact depends largely on how we govern, use, and protect them. As Berners-Lee’s original vision reminds us, technology itself is neutral; it is the values and intentions of its users that determine whether it becomes a force for liberation or oppression.
In conclusion, the Internet and the World Wide Web remain among the most transformative inventions of the modern era, offering unparalleled opportunities alongside serious threats. If we are to ensure that the digital future serves humanity rather than undermines it, we must embrace innovation while demanding strong ethical standards and protections. The true challenge lies not in imagining a better Web, but in committing to building it.