5 Paragraph Essay

1. 5 Paragraph Essay

2. Introduction – What is its purpose? • Give reader an idea of what you will be writing about • It is a “map” that lays out what your topic is and where you are going • Grabs the reader’s interest • Gives general, important information before book-specific information

3. Part #1: Attention Getter • Open the paragraph with something that will engage the reader • A.G. should directly relate to your topic • A.G. should NOT be “book-specific” or mention anything that will be in your claim

4. Possible Attention Getters • A startling statement • An unusual fact • A vivid example or description • A reference to a famous person or event • A quotation • Must be from an appropriate source and must be introduced AND cited! • Don’t use Brainyquotes.com, etc. use PRIMARY SOURCES! • Example: Literary critic Sam Smith once stated “novels open doors to new worlds” (Smith 4).

5. Part #2: Background Information • Expand on ideas you are trying to describe in your essay • Work from general to specific • Define any terminology • Give an overview of a controversy or issue at hand • Provide background of the author or the history of the text itself – if appropriate

6. Part #3: Claim Statement • Analytical statement that requires evidence to be proven • First step in building an argument • Expresses the main, central point of your essay

7. Claim Requirements • One sentence long • Last sentence in introduction • Must include author and text title • Should have 3 prongs or ideas • Should include “so-what” element • A universal idea not based on plot specifics that ties the claim together (usually thematic and explains the importance of the topic)

8. Claim Examples #1: In the novel Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter, Hermoine Granger, and Ron Weasley feel as though they are outsiders throughout the novel, but are able to ward off feelings of inadequacy with each others’ help, which shows the importance of friendship in one’s life. #2: Suzanne Collins’ novel The Hunger Games reflects the adversity young people have to overcome in the world as seen through Katniss’ and Peeta’s life in District 12, their selection into the Hunger Games, and the challenges they faced to win and ultimately survive.

9. Body Paragraph – What is its purpose? • Each paragraph will focus on ONE specific idea from your claim • Must be written in the same order as they are introduced in the claim • “Proves” claim with evidence from the text

10. Part #1: Topic Sentences • 1st sentence – only one sentence long • States the topic for the entire paragraph – should focus the reader • Should be specific to the idea in that paragraph • Cannot be a quote or question Example: Throughout the novel Harry made new friends at Hogwarts even though he was made an outcast by the rest of the school.

11. Part #2: General Discussion • About 2-3 sentences long • Expand on the idea you are describing • No plot details yet • Showing the reader the importance of the idea Example: Young adults are faced with many challenges when growing up. Some are conflicts amongst peers, but most often young adults have more personal, or innate, issues they deal with daily. Having a strong friend group can help adolescents overcome these hard times.

12. Part #3: Example • Your discussion of the idea should flow into this • The example MUST be connected and support your general idea and the topic sentence • An example from the text (summary) that leads into or sets-up your quote • Gives a context for your quote Example: Harry Potter is clearly a dynamic character who had to deal with personal issues, but grew from them. At the beginning of the novel, Potter was self-conscious and felt like there was no place for him in the world, let alone within his family. It was not until he arrived at Hogwarts did those feelings change. When Harry met Hermoine and Ron, along with other companions, his outlook on life changed, thus changing him as a person.

13. Part #4: Quote • Word for word from the text • It should support the idea in the topic sentence and connect to the example summary • It should be evidence used to “prove” the claim • Cited correctly: “Quote” (Anaya 34). Example: Sitting on the train sharing his treats with Ron Weasley, Potter reflected: “[he] had never had anything to share before or, indeed, anyone to share it with. It was a nice feeling, sitting there with Ron, eating their way through all Harry's pasties, cakes, and candies… (Rowling 171).

14. Part #5: Quote Analysis • VERY IMPORTANT – never less than 3 sentences • Completely break down the quote to show how it supports the idea from the example, topic sentence, and claim • Explain the significance of the quote • Ask yourself: How does the quote connect to my main idea AND so-what Example: Sitting on the train sharing his treats with Ron Weasley, Potter reflected: “[he] had never had anything to share before or, indeed, anyone to share it with. It was a nice feeling, sitting there with Ron, eating their way through all Harry's pasties, cakes, and candies… (Rowling 171). Having Ron by his side, Harry felt like he belonged somewhere. Ron, too, was an outcast and found camaraderie with Potter. Together, they were able to become more confident and realize that people in the world can be supportive and helpful. With the creation of meaning friendships, Potter was able to truly be happy for the first time. These bonds also helped him do better in wizard school, his interactions with others, and finally standing up for himself against his adoptive family.

15. Part 6: Concluding/Transition Sentence • One sentence to signal the end of one idea and the movement to the next/or conclusion Example: Ultimately, mingling with new people and making friends helped not only Harry, but Ron Weasley, as well.

16. Put it all together… Throughout the novel Harry made new friends at Hogwarts even though he was made an outcast by the rest of the school. Young adults are faced with many challenges when growing up. Some are conflicts amongst peers, but most often young adults have more personal, or innate, issues they deal with daily. Having a strong friend group can help adolescents overcome these hard times. Harry Potter is clearly a dynamic character who had to deal with personal issues, but grew from them. At the beginning of the novel, Potter was self-conscious and felt like there was no place for him in the world, let alone within his family. It was not until he arrived at Hogwarts did those feelings change. When Harry met Hermoine and Ron, along with other companions, his outlook on life changed, thus changing him as a person. Sitting on the train sharing his treats with Ron Weasley, Potter reflected: “[he] had never had anything to share before or, indeed, anyone to share it with. It was a nice feeling, sitting there with Ron, eating their way through all Harry's pasties, cakes, and candies… (Rowling 171). Having Ron by his side, Harry felt like he belonged somewhere. Ron, too, was an outcast and found camaraderie with Potter. Together, they were able to become more confident and realized that people in the world can be supportive and helpful. With the creation of meaning friendships, Potter was able to truly be happy for the first time. These bonds also helped him do better in wizard school, his interactions with others, and finally standing up for himself against his adoptive family.Ultimately, mingling with new people and making friends helped not only Harry, but Ron Weasley, as well.