Which element is NOT part of the basic structure of an essay?

The bibliography is not considered part of the basic structure of an essay. In standard essay formats, the core components include the introduction, where the thesis statement is typically presented, the body, which contains the main arguments or points, and the conclusion, which summarizes the essay and reinforces the thesis. While a bibliography is essential for citing sources and giving credit, it serves as a supplementary section that is usually placed at the end of an essay but does not contribute to the fundamental structural elements of the argument or narrative presented in the main body of the essay. Therefore, it is distinct from the key components that form the foundation of an essay’s structure.