How to structure an essay on diplomacy and international relations

https://essayservice.com/blog/international-relations-essay#:~:text=Divide%20it%20into%20an%20introduction,supported%20by%20evidence%20and%20analysis.

https://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/ua/media/38/learningguide-internationalpolitics.pdf

https://www.tutorhunt.com/resource/13007/

https://essayservice.com/blog/international-relations-essay

Writing an essay on international relations for a diplomatic exam requires a clear, well-organized approach that demonstrates both your understanding of the field and your ability to present an argument. Here's one possible, suggested structure you can follow:

1. Introduction (Approx. 10-15% of the essay)

The introduction should briefly set up the context of the topic or question, define key concepts, and state your thesis or the main argument you will make.

• Contextualize the issue: Begin by framing the broader international relations topic. For instance, if the topic is about "global governance," provide a short background on the rise of international institutions. Or refer to an event or statement by a government or leader that illustrates the current situation, trends or centre of debate.
• Define key terms: If there are key terms or concepts in the question (such as  ‘cultural diplomacy’or ‘globalization’), briefly define them to clarify your approach.
• Thesis statement: End your introduction with a clear thesis that outlines your argument or the main point of your essay. This will guide your discussion of the question throughout your essay.

2. Body Paragraphs (Approx. 75-80% of the essay)

The body of the essay should be broken into several distinct sections, each addressing a specific aspect of the question.

a) Theoretical Framework or Historical Context

• The framework of international relations: Depending on the question, you may want to start by explaining the relevant IR framework, theoretical, practical and legal. For instance, if the question is about an international conflict, you could put it in the context of the UN Charter and international law and in relation to Italy’s foreign policy or the EU’s stance.
• Historical Background: If applicable, give a brief overview of the historical context that’s relevant to the question (e.g. as regards a conflict, how the conflict came about, the International response, any ongoing or proposed peace process). This helps set up the issue at hand.

b) Analysis and Discussion

• Key Arguments/Points: Break down the central themes or arguments in relation to the question. Provide a nuanced discussion and consider both sides of the argument. For example, if discussing the effectiveness of the United Nations, you might weigh its successes in peacekeeping against criticisms regarding its structure and response to crises.
• Evidence and Examples: Use concrete examples from recent events, treaties, international agreements, or cases to back up your claims. You might discuss topics like the role of the U.N. in peacekeeping, the impact of economic sanctions, or the rise of regional organizations like the European Union or ASEAN.
• Contrasting Perspectives: A diplomatic exam often values critical thinking, so be sure to include contrasting perspectives. For example, you could explore both the realist and liberal perspectives on a global issue, demonstrating an ability to engage with diverse viewpoints.

c) Implications/Recommendations? (if applicable)

• Policy Implications: If the question asks or seems to ask for solutions or recommendations, this is the section where you outline potential policy solutions. Consider the diplomatic, political, and economic consequences of various courses of action. However, often the question will ask you to explore the problem and outline strategies and responses to the problem proposed by authoritative voices (governments, leaders, the UN, NGOs, experts) RATHER THAN your own proposals.
• Diplomatic Insights: You might include recommendations that a diplomat might consider in dealing with the issue at hand. This could involve negotiating strategies, institutional reforms, or proposals for conflict resolution. But again, can you cite someone authoritative who has put forward these ideas?

3. Conclusion (Approx. 10-15% of the essay)

The conclusion should succinctly wrap up the essay by restating your main argument and summarizing the key points.

• Summarize Key Points: Briefly review the main points of your analysis without introducing new information.
• Restate Thesis: Reinforce your thesis statement and how the discussion supports it.
• Broader Implications: End with a brief note on the broader implications of the issue for international relations, diplomacy, or global governance. This may be a new question that follows from your essay or an event or statement (by a government or leader) that carries us forward from your analysis.

General Tips:

• Clarity and Precision: Ensure your arguments are clear and well-organized and illustrated with examples and appropriate data and information to justify your points. Avoid unnecessary jargon unless it's critical to the subject matter. Avoid unnecessary repetition.
• Balance of Theory and Practice: While it's important to ground your arguments in some king of general frame work (theoretical, legal, institutional)  make sure to balance this with practical examples and real-world applications.
• Critical Thinking: Always engage critically with the material. Acknowledge the complexities and nuances of international relations issues and avoid overly simplistic conclusions.
• Diplomatic Tone: Since it's a diplomatic exam, ensure your tone is respectful, measured, and professional, even when discussing contentious issues.
• Citations: If you decide to use references, use them appropriately to support your arguments. Even if you don't directly cite sources, showing that you're aware of key texts or events will demonstrate depth. So you are more likely to cite NATO’s position on a question or a NATO mission and its objectives rather than to cite a specific NATO document in detail. However, You could cite a  strategy document like ‘NextGenerationEU’ and its goals and then look at the progress or lack of progress made so far in achieving those goals.