Which of the following is included in the basic format of an essay?

The basic format of an essay typically consists of three major components: the introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction serves to present the main topic or argument of the essay, engaging the reader and framing the discussion. The body contains the core content, including evidence and analysis that supports the argument laid out in the introduction. The conclusion ties everything together, summarizing the main points and reinforcing the thesis statement, often providing a final insight or call to action.

Other options, while relevant in certain contexts or types of academic writing, do not represent the fundamental structure of a standard essay format. For instance, an abstract and references are common in research papers but not typically found in basic essays. Similarly, a literature review is a component of more extensive scholarly work, focusing on existing research rather than presenting an argument, and an appendix is used for supplementary material rather than being a core part of the essay itself.