How to write your 5 Paragraph Essay

1. 1 How to write your 5 Paragraph Essay

2. 2 What are you going to write about? Your First Assignment: An Autobiography

3. 3 This is not a creative writing assignment-it is intended to introduce you to a structured method of writing that uses source material, (facts, statistics, and quotes) to support your ideas.

4. 4 There are 7 Types of sentences found in an essay: Attention grabber. Mood or tone setter. Thesis Statement. Topic sentence. Concrete detail. Comment. Conclusion.

5. 5 In the Introductory Paragraph: Attention grabber. Set the mood or tone. (what is your attitude) 3. Thesis sentence.

6. 6 Attention grabber. The first sentence should be a general statement designed to grab the reader�s attention. Here are two examples:

7. 7

8. 8 My life is very complicated.

9. 9 The second sentence sets the mood or tone for the paper. This sentence tells the reader what your attitude is about the topic.

10. 10 Setting the mood or toneThese are some of the types of emotions that you can express: Enthusiasm Cheerfulness Conservatism Boredom Anger Fear Grief Apathy

11. 11 I have always been afraid when my situation changes.

12. 12 There have been a lot of exciting events in my life.

13. 13 Develop a Thesis Statement A thesis is the main idea or point of your paper. It is the last sentence of your introductory paragraph.

14. 14 Attributes of a Thesis Statement It is argumentative or controversial. It is the controlling force for the rest of the paper. The next paragraphs must relate to this statement. The thesis statement is specific. The thesis statement is not a fact. The thesis statement is not a question. The thesis statement is not an announcement.

15. 15 My sixth birthday, jr. high graduation, and the first week in high school changed my perception of the world.

16. 16 I remember the thoughts like: how I went to school, what I did at church and the day I came to America

17. 17 Combine: Attention grabber Mood or tone setter Thesis Statement To form your introductory paragraph.

18. 18 An Introductory paragraph: When I was young I always thought the world revolved around me. I have always been afraid when my situation changes. My sixth birthday, jr. high and my first week of high school changed my perception of the world.

19. 19 Another Introduction: My life is very complicated. There have been a lot of exciting events in my life. I remember thoughts like: how I went to school, what I did at church, and the day I came to America.

20. 20 You will write three body paragraphs. Body paragraphs start with Topic sentences.

21. 21 A topic sentence tells the reader what you are talking about in the paragraph. It must be related to the thesis statement. Unless you are making a comparison, it must be in agreement with the mood or tone in the introduction.

22. 22 Topic sentences are followed by Concrete Details. Concrete details are: Facts : �There are an equal number of freshman boys and girls in this school.�

23. 23 2. Statistics: �There are 547 boys in the freshman class.�

24. 24 3. Quotes: Mr.Thomas said, �This is the most intelligent group of freshman English students that I have ever seen.�

25. 25 Important note Quotes are both: The things that a person says in a story: "Don't talk rot, Whitney," said Rainsford. "You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?"  AND

26. 26 For our purposea quote is also: Information that you take from a source, that agrees with the mood or tone of your paper, and is proof or evidence that supports your thesis and topic sentences. For example�..

27. 27 This is a quote that supports a description of a characters hearing ability: An abrupt sound startled him. Off to the right he heard it, and his ears, expert in such matters, could not be mistaken. Again he heard the sound, and again. Somewhere, off in the blackness, someone had fired a gun three times.

28. 28 To use this information in your paper you put the �quote marks� around the information, and add (authors last name and page number). �Off to the right he heard it, and his ears, expert in such matters, could not be mistaken� (Connell p.3).

29. 29 Comments Writing commentary means giving your opinion, interpretation, analysis, personal reactions, feelings, or reflections about the topic. BUT�.

30. 30 Your comments must tell the reader why, or how, the evidence that you presented as a concrete detail, supports your topic sentence, thesis statement, and is in agreement with the mood or tone of your paper.

31. 31 Commentary may start like this: This event effected�� For example �� As an illustration�.. In addition �� Because of Rainsford�s excellent hearing ability �� This leads to�� When this occurred �� Furthermore ��(more phrases later)

32. 32 Concluding Sentence The concluding sentences of your body paragraphs should either: Summarize the importance of the information in the paragraph, or Use that information as a transition to the next topic.

33. 33 Words and phrases that work for comments and concluding sentences: If you want to continue an idea: Additionally, again, also, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, finally. If you want to show a time relationship (chronological or process): Afterward, at this point, eventually, finally, meanwhile, next, presently, previously.

34. 34 If you are using comparative advantage: To make a comparison: Also, basically, in the same manner (fashion), like, likewise, similarly, too. To contrast: Although, and yet, but, conversely, even though, however, on the contrary, on the other hand, never the less, still.

35. 35 If you are showing cause and effect: As a result, consequently, for this reason, moreover, therefore, thus, so. If you are showing a spatial relationship: In this (or other) location, at the same time in (another location), this event also occurred. If you are doing an analysis: This piece (part, event, situation), this relates to, with out this part.

36. 36 To emphasize a point: Again, as a matter of fact, as a result, indeed, in fact. In your Concluding Sentence, to summarize: For the most part, for these reasons, in other words, in short, on the whole. To make a transition: As a result, for these reasons, therefore, as a consequence, as a result.

37. 37 Conclusion Your conclusion should be 3-5 sentences long. Tell the reader how your evidence supported your thesis. Leave the readers with a statement, quote, or question that will make them remember and think about your paper.

38. 38 Tips for your concluding paragraph. Briefly summarize your main points. Ask a thoughtful question. Use a quotation. Call for an action. End with a warning. Show that this is a universal theme. Refer to the introductory paragraph with key words, or parallel concepts and images.

39. 39 Avoid these in your conclusion: Repeating your thesis. Introducing a new idea or subject. Focusing on minor points. Do not apologize for your view.

40. 40 Your First Assignment: An Autobiography

41. 41 The first step is to create a mind map,web diagram, so that you can start organizing your thoughts.

42. 42

43. 43 Think about the type of organization that you are going to use in your essay: Spatial Chronological Process Analysis Cause and Effect Comparative Advantage

44. 44

45. 45 The Expanded Outline:fill in every sentence Introduction: a. Attention grabber b. Set mood or tone c. Thesis Statement

46. 46 All 3 of the body paragraphs follow this format: a. Topic sentence b. Concrete Detail c. Comment d. Comment e. Concrete Detail f. Comment g. Comment h. Concluding sentence

47. 47 Fill in the expanded outline in this order: Tone or mood sentence Thesis Statement Topic Sentences Concrete Details Comments Concluding Sentences Attention Grabber Concluding Paragraph

48. 48 Assemble your Autobiography Make a cover page. Include: a. Mind map. b. Brief outline c. Extended outline. 3. Your 5 paragraph essay.

49. 49 The Second Assignment: Briefly, give a physical description of your character. Write a 5 paragraph essay discussing your character. Include information that lets the reader know what the character says, does, thinks, and what the other characters say about him.

50. 50 You will be assigned one of the two main characters in �The Most Dangerous Game� Answer the following writing prompt for your character:

51. 51 Sanger Rainsford Discuss Rainsford�s transition from hunter to huntee; has his attitude about hunting changed in this story?

52. 52 General Zaroff Discuss Zaroff�s game, and how he plays the game with Rainsford.

53. 53 After listening to the story go to the web site to collect your research.Connell, Richard The Most Dangerous Game  Web site: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/MosDan.shtml

54. 54 You will list all of the events that relate to your character.

55. 55 What is your attitude about the topic? Do you agree with the characters attitude? How do you feel about his actions? Do other characters feel the same way as you do about your character? Would you have reacted differently than your character?

56. 56

57. 57 Collect your research materials These will be the concrete details for your essay. To do that:

58. 58 In the text you will find information that you can use in your essay:"Nonsense," laughed Rainsford. "This hot weather is making you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two classes - the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters. Do you think we've passed that island yet?" 

59. 59 Cut and paste that information from your source to your disk or file.Be sure to cite the source.(author, page #). �The world is made up of two classes - the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters� (Connell p.1).

60. 60 Complete an event worksheet of at least four main events from your mind map. Collect quotes that describe: What the character says. What the character does. What the character thinks. What others say or think about the character. (this could give you up to 16 quotes)

61. 61 Begin your Introduction Answer these questions: What is you or your character�s feeling about the story and the assigned question? (mood or tone) 2. List three important things that support your feelings. (events, things the character says, does, thinks, or others say about him.)

62. 62

63. 63 Write your Thesis Sentence Be sure to include the three ideas that you came up with in the last step, in your sentence. Example: Always the hunter, Rainsford overcomes the fear of being hunted to emerge as the victor in Zaroff�s dangerous game.

64. 64 To support this thesis you must: Show Rainsford�s original attitude about hunting. Tell about the times he was afraid of being hunted. Show how he overcomes that fear by becoming the hunter again. Do this by using quotes about things the character says, does, thinks or by what others say about him.

65. 65 Fill in the expanded outline in this order: Tone or mood sentence Thesis Statement Topic Sentences Concrete Details Comments Concluding Sentences Attention Grabber Concluding Paragraph

66. 66 Tips for when you get writers block: Move on and fill in a different type of sentence. Replace the concrete detail with a more thought provoking one. (this is why you should have gathered more quotes than you need) Rearrange the details to make more sense. Re-read your notes on how to write an essay. Look at the words and phrases to help you write your sentences. Go get something to eat and come back in a � hour.

67. 67 Assemble your project: Make a cover page. Include: a. Event list b. Event worksheet c. Mind map. d. Extended outline. e. Description of your character. 3. Your 5 paragraph essay. 4. Works cited.

68. 68 The Best Sport in the WorldAn analysis of Sanger RainsfordBy Stu Dent English 9 3rd period 11/21/00 Mr. Bedford, Instructor Hiram W. Johnson High School

69. 69 Create your Works Cited Book: Connell, Richard �The Most Dangerous Game� Elements of Literature. Third Course. Ed. Richard Sime. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2000. 13-28 Web site: Connell, Richard The Most Dangerous Game [available on-line] http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/MosDan.shtml 11/18/00

70. 70 The End