Composition 101: Five Paragraph Essay

1. Composition 101: Five Paragraph Essay Student’s Latino Initiative 2011-2012

2. Overview: Five Paragraph Essay In this section we will learn: • What is a five paragraph essay; • The structure of a five paragraph essay; • How to write the body of your essay; • How to write an introduction (next class); • Thesis statements. • How to write a conclusion (next class).

3. Five Paragraph Essay The five paragraph essay is: • Useful for timed-tests; • A way to organize your thoughts; • The basic template for writing in many disciplines.

4. Five Paragraph Essay The five paragraph essay is NOT: • The only way to write; • The most creative way to write; • The best way to write.

5. Structure of a Five Paragraph Essay Introduction – 1 paragraph (general) Body – 3 paragraphs (specific) Conclusion – 1 paragraph (general)

6. Introduction: The Body Paragraphs There are typically 3 body paragraphs. Each paragraph: • Supports your thesis/argument; • Is a complete thought; • Provides a unique point, or bit of evidence.

7. Introduction: The Body Paragraphs Your body paragraphs should highlight that you: • Can think about a topic in various, but coherent, ways; • Have a strong command of written language; • Are able to argue a point effectively; • Can think logically about a topic.

8. Example Question: Texas Congressman Ron Paul has argued that taxes are a modern form of slavery. He argues that most Americans must work for nearly a third of the year in order to pay taxes, and therefore they are working without being compensated, which amounts to slavery. Would society be better off without taxes? Position: Taxes can be good.

9. Example: Possible Topics for Body Paragraphs Example A Example B Taxes pay for public education. Education is the cornerstone of a well functioning democracy. Taxes help fund programs that serve the disabled and the elderly. • Taxes pay for public education. • Taxes fund infrastructure projects, such as roads. • Taxes help fund programs that serve the disabled and the elderly.

10. Example: Possible Topics for Body Paragraphs Example A Example B Taxes fund goods and services that: Benefit individual tax payers; Aid businesses; Fulfill perceived societal obligations. • Taxes pay for public education. • Taxes fund infrastructure projects, such as roads. • Taxes help fund programs that serve the disabled and the elderly.

11. Example: Possible Topics for Body Paragraphs Why is example B better: • Does more than lists types of government expenditures financed through taxes. • Highlights the different role of government expenditures. • The argument is more specific – focuses on role of government spending versus what it funds.

12. Example: Outlining Taxes pay for goods and services that fulfill a perceived societal obligation. • The constitution guarantees certain goods and services: • Judicial system • The populace expects to be protected from foreign aggression – the government must pay for an army. • Other things that society does not view as acceptable. • The elderly living in chicken coupes – Social Security.

13. Example: Writing

14. Example: Paragraph Deconstruction Notice that the paragraph has the following elements: • A topic sentence – a sentence that explains what the paragraph is about. • “Given this, the government has an obligation to provide such goods and services that ensure that these three rights are upheld, and since it funds these expenditures through taxes, taxes are beneficial to society. “

15. Example: Paragraph Deconstruction Notice that the paragraph has the following elements: • Supporting sentences – sentences that support your topic sentence. • A concluding sentence – a sentence the sums up the point of the paragraph. • “Therefore, since taxes are necessary to finance expenditures that are viewed as obligatory by the American constitution and people, they are not always bad. “

16. Assignment: Paragraph Deconstruction Assignment: Read the paragraph. In groups of three for each of the paragraphs note: • The topic sentence; • The evidence; • The concluding sentence.

17. Assignment: Deconstruction Inequality before the boom was limited, and invisible to most people. It is now among the worst in the world. Urban workers earn three times more than peasants in rural areas, and the number of Chinese people among the wealthiest in the world breaks new records every year, while China's millionaires are, on average, around 15 years younger than those in other countries. Corruption has long been a problem, but it is now increasingly widespread, and far more visible, and affects almost all areas of life. The government has tried to stem the flow of graft. But highly publicized jail terms and even the death sentence for public officials are simply not working. From “Forget Greece, Keep your Eye on China” by MoisésNaímhttp://www.moisesnaim.com/writings/forget-greece-keep-your-eye-china

18. Assignment: Brainstorming, Outlining, Writing Assignment: for the following prompt, take a position, brainstorm, outline, and then write one body paragraphon your strongest point.

19. Assignment: Brainstorming, Outlining, Writing Prompt: In places where adolescents have to wait until they are 18 to get an unrestricted license, accidents involving drivers age 16-18 are greatly reduced. Should adolescents have to wait until they are 18 get an unrestricted license?

20. Summary: Five Paragraph Essay In this section we have learned: • What is a five paragraph essay. • The structure of the five paragraph essay. • How to form the body paragraphs of a five paragraph essay.