Writing the 5-paragraph essay

1. Writing the 5-paragraph essay A step-by-step guide or “You, too, can write like a college graduate!”

2. Let’s start at the beginning • Your paper is based on facts and ideas that are uniquely yours. • Start by creating a thesis, or topic. It’s the reason why you’re writing the paper, and answers the question “why” with “because,” “since,” or “to.”

3. What is a thesis? It’s more than just an answer to a question, or a fact: a good thesis states an educated opinion about a subject. Express yourself!

4. Here’s an example Fact: Most new AIDS infections today are occurring in developing countries. Educated Opinion: Most new AIDS infections today are occurring in developing countries because citizens of these countries are uneducated about the disease and do not have access to contraception.

5. Write an A+ thesis statement • Topic sentence should grab attention. • State your P O S I T I O N. • Avoid “The purpose of this paper …” and “In this paragraph I will tell….” • Demonstrate, illustrate, suggest, but don’t “show,” don’t “tell,” don’t “prove.”

6. Creating the 3-pronged thesis Opinion and Fact Night was one of the better novels in 10th grade English because of its setting, action and philosophy.

7. Consequence Social ostracism, great expense, and personal hardship are three of the unfortunate results of the most dangerous disease of the century: racism.

8. Autobiographical From my personal experience, I believe that poor preparation, alcohol consumption, and insect infestation can cause most family picnics to fail.

9. idea 2 idea 1 main idea idea 3 idea 4 Use graphic organizers Use a Bubble Map to help you determine which points you want to tease out from a main idea.

10. Where do I get my facts? • The text book you’re reading for class. • Encyclopedias. • Magazine articles. • The Internet. • What other sources can you think of?

11. Should I take notes? Yes! Create one index card for each fact you find interesting! Index cards will be easy to swap with one another on your desk when deciding which point should come first, second, and so on.

12. DESCRIPTIVE HEADING SOURCE with PAGE What should be on my index card? Purpose of racism To minimize the control that people of Color could exercise over their own lives. They were considered “property.” Mumford 238

13. The building blocks Introductory paragraph The first paragraph of an essay is like a funnel opening into the essay. Draw the reader in; invite discussion. Use synonyms to emphasize the points you’re going to make without repeating the same words over and over!

14. What should be in your opening paragraph? Grab us with an interesting opening. Tell who will be the author(s) [and genres] you will use. Indicate why we should care. Delineate how you intend to structure the points you are going to make.

15. What should be in the opening paragraph? • A topic sentence • Synonyms to emphasize the points you are going to make in your thesis statement • Sentences in active voice and in present tense • A three-pronged thesis statement

16. Here’s an example Only a small percentage of Black children are enrolled in schools in the Jim Crow South. In fact, for most of the time, no public education is provided. In his autobiography, Black Boy, Richard Wright criticizes the quality, methods, and accessibility of the education available at the time.

17. Consider opening with one of these “ ” = Direct quote ? = Question ! = Startling Statement SS= Shocking Statistic FA= Factual Account PE= Personal Experience Ha-Ha = Joke or Humor

18. Body paragraphs • Each body paragraph will flesh out one of the three points you highlight in your thesis statement. • It will open with a topic sentence. • If not in your opening paragraph, then this paragraph should refer to the name(s) of the author(s) by first and last name on first reference, as well as the genre and title of the work(s).

19. Body paragraphs Your body paragraphs should end with a transition sentence that pushes your reader into wanting to read the next paragraph. Each body paragraph should have its own main idea (which is mentioned in your opening paragraph), supported by concrete examples (evidence with citations) and support of each fact with two original thought sentences (your own inferences).

20. Your conclusion Your final, 5th paragraph is your conclusion. It does repeat the thesis, but it also goes beyond the thesis by stating something worthwhile: reach a judgment; support an issue; provide rules to follow.

21. Your conclusion Provide your reader with how to apply the perspective you have just provided. Your conclusion MUST be aligned with your introduction. If you use an image or metaphor in the opening paragraph, echo it in the closing paragraph.

22. Your conclusion Include key words or concepts and images similar to those in the opening paragraph. Impart a warning. Suggest or restate a larger social theme. End with a thought-provoking twist!

23. To summarize • There are only two types of sentences in an analytical essay: facts and thoughts. • Facts = evidence; thoughts = inference. • Your thesis should state an educated opinion and demonstrate your position on a topic.

24. Demonstrate, illustrate, or suggest; don’t “prove,” “show,” or “tell.” • Include a 3-pronged approach in your thesis statement (stronger, strong, strongest). • Use graphic organizers to prompt and arrange your thoughts.

25. Create index cards with your facts. • Open with one of the 7 introductions. • For your body paragraphs (paragraphs 2, 3, and 4) use the 8-sentence paragraph structure wherever possible. • Draw a conclusion and state this in your 5th and final paragraph.

26. You’ll do great! Just follow these guidelines and refer to your handout for details of how to write an A+ 5-paragraph essay. Good luck!