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The Five-Paragraph Essay: Template for College Writing. Dr. Harold William Halbert. How Many of You Remember the Five-Paragraph Essay?. Who taught it to you? What were the major elements? What good was it?. Key Elements. Introduction Body Paragraph (Claim 1) Body Paragraph (Claim 2)
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The Five-Paragraph Essay:Template for College Writing Dr. Harold William Halbert
How Many of You Remember the Five-Paragraph Essay? • Who taught it to you? • What were the major elements? • What good was it?
Key Elements • Introduction • Body Paragraph (Claim 1) • Body Paragraph (Claim 2) • Body Paragraph (Claim 3) • Conclusion
EXPANDEDOUTLINE • Introduction • A “Hook” (whatever that was) • Background Information on subject • Thesis (the argument you are making) • Preview of 3 Pieces of Evidence or Claims • Springboard (restatement of thesis) • Body Paragraph (Claim 1) • A transition • A central claim • 3 details to flesh out claim • Conclusion to paragraph • Body Paragraph (Claim 2) SAME • Body Paragraph (Claim 3) SAME • Conclusion • Summation transition (“In Conclusion”) • Restatement of thesis • Review of 3 pieces of evidence • Synthesis of claim + evidence applied to broader issue
Official Uses of Five-Paragraph Essay • English class essay (book reviews, short arguments, etc.) • In-class essay exams • SAT Writing assessment • Some editorial or newspaper column pieces
REAL Purpose of Five Paragraph Essay • Easy template to American academic writing expectations • Easy to teach • Easy to grade • Easy to remember • Easy to finish
PROBLEM: Never Shown Broader Application • Instead of thinking “paragraphs,” think “sections” • Instead of thinking “five,” think “Introduction--Body--Conclusion” • Better still, think “Context/Claim, Evidence, Synthesis”
