Educational Support Services

1. Educational Support Services Basic Five Paragraph Essay Copy & Design: Verna Fisher

2. Here are some basic tips when writing a five paragraph essay. • Think of your essay as a math formula or steps that need to be taken to get to the finish line. • These steps can be written in any order as long as the essay flows when it is finished. It should sound as though it follows an order rather than just jumbled thoughts. • All five paragraph essays have the following:

3. Introductory Paragraph *Body Paragraph 1 *Body Paragraph 2 *Body Paragraph 3 Concluding Paragraph Complete Essay Structure * The number of body paragraphs is determined by the number of elements, characters, ideas, etc. to be discussed in the paper. The topic sentences for these paragraphs should mimic the thesis statement. Three is not a magic number.

4. The introduction • The introduction should be the place to start presenting your topic. • Typically, the last sentence will also include a thesis statement. • A thesis statement is one sentence that clearly tells the reader what your paper will be about, and it often has a point to prove.

5. Body paragraphs • Think of three items dealing with your topic that you’d like to discuss. • The first item will be your first body paragraph. • Now, come up with two or three examples that have to do with the item. Use details to make the examples clear. • Continue this pattern for the second and third body paragraphs.

6. Conclusion • The conclusion is the place to sum up your essay and re-state your thesis statement in different words. • New information does not belong in the conclusion.

7. OVERALL STRUCTURE OF THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY Introduction: Tell them what you’re going to tell them. Body: Tell them. Conclusion: Tell them what you’ve told them.