Essay

Okay, the Federalist Papers were known as a series of essays, so identifying their structure is easy-peasy lemon breezy. But what about their structure makes them essays?

Well, both Federalist Papers 10 and 51 are informative papers that make one central argument. They both have one sentence in the first paragraph that summarizes what they're going to argue in the rest of the paper—what we in the biz call a thesis statement.

Each paragraph after that picks out one part of the argument, and explores it in closer detail. Madison in his essays compare a selection of solutions to a particular problem a government might face, and then provides evidence as to why his proposed situation would be the most effective one.

Every paragraph builds off of the paragraph before it, and the papers conclude by restating the thesis—in this case, Madison's proposition as to how the government should be structured to address the problems it might face, while also ensuring the maximum amount of civil liberties.

How it Breaks Down

What's the Problem?

This is where Madison checks out the faction problem in the United States in Federalist 10, and the need for checks and balances in Federalist 51.

He sets the stage, defines any terms, and then explains why the United States needs his propositions like a polar bear needs ice floes. By setting up the problem at the beginning, the audience can understand that there's a need for a solution. This is a great example of an intro paragraph: it convinces the audience that there's a problem that this paper is going to swoop in and solve.

What Are The Solutions To The Problem?

Madison breaks down the causes and effects of faction activity, to move towards the best ways of stopping it from being a problem. By providing a series of possible solutions, then explaining why they don't work, he funnels us towards his way of thinking.

Clever girl.

Federalist paper 51 takes a slightly different approach, because it has to explain how each branch can balance the others, and some of the necessary loopholes regarding the judiciary. Due to necessity, he spends less time talking about hypotheticals and more time detailing his specific plan.
These did have to fit in newspapers after all, and font can only go so small.

Why Is My Solution The Bestest?

He then arrives at his proposition: a Republican form of government. Cue the triumphant trumpet noise.

He explains various advantages that a Republic has over a true democracy, linking them all back to the faction problem. He also returns to the faction problem at the end of Federalist 51, when he explains how exactly the United States benefits from a three-branch government.

He closes both essays by celebrating that he didn't have to compromise that whole liberty thing to get a federal government that can function like a well-oiled machine…or at least function like a good government.