Writing The 5 Paragraph Essay

Introduction

The 5 Paragraph Essay

The introduction should be brief. Try to state main ideas and be concise. Think of it as a short advertisement for your composition.

By Dr. Erica Warren, Learning Specialist

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Catchy Opener

Thesis Statement

Set the Stage

Start with a “catchy opener.” The introduction should capture the reader’s attention. Try and make your introduction interesting with sentences which:

• Begin with an enticing or thought-provoking quote.

• Pose an interesting question.

• Start with a surprising fact.

• Commence with a humorous anecdote.

• Turn the question of the essay into a statement that clearly defines the main idea of your essay or paper.
• Some teachers will also like you to include an additional sentence that reviews the main ideas of each body paragraph.

Introduce, more specifically, what you will be writing about. This sentence may introduce a book or define an important term. Most importantly, it needs to link your first sentence to your thesis statement or third sentence.

Body Paragraphs

All three body paragraphs have a similar format and the ideas in each paragraph should be mutually exclusive.

Body Paragraph 1

Body Paragraph 3

Topic Sentence

The first sentence of every body paragraph should be a topic sentence or a sentence that summarizes the main idea of the paragraph.

Examples or Quotes

Each body paragraph should be very unique from the other body paragraph(s) so that the details and examples fit clearly under a single heading.

Every detail presented should be supported with examples or quotes that are:

1) Clearly introduced.

2) Noticeably interpreted.

Body Paragraph 2

Supporting Details

Body Paragraphs should end with a transitional sentence that helps to bridge the reader to the next paragraph.

Examples or Quotes

Supporting Details

Each body paragraph should be very unique from the other body paragraph(s) so that the details and examples fit clearly under a single heading.

• Present details that support the main ideas of the paragraph.
• Use transitional words when moving from one detail to the next (e.g., next, also, furthermore, in addition...)

Every detail presented should be supported with examples or quotes that are:

1) Clearly introduced.

2) Noticeably interpreted.

• Present details that support the main ideas of the paragraph.
• Use transitional words when moving from one detail to the next (e.g., next, also, furthermore, in addition...)

Topic Sentence

Body Paragraphs should end with a transitional sentence that helps to bridge the reader to the next paragraph.

Topic Sentence

The first sentence of every body paragraph should be a topic sentence or a sentence that summarizes the main idea of the paragraph.

Examples or Quotes

Supporting Details

The first sentence of every body paragraph should be a topic sentence or a sentence that summarizes the main idea of the paragraph.

Every detail presented should be supported with examples or quotes that are:

1) Clearly introduced.

2) Noticeably interpreted.

Present details that support the main ideas of the paragraph.

Use transitional words when moving from one detail to the next (e.g., next, also, furthermore, in addition...)

Body Paragraphs should end with a transitional sentence that helps to bridge the reader to the next paragraph.

Transitional Sentence

• This is the last sentence between body paragraphs, and it offers a bridge or connection between the main ideas.

Each body paragraph should be very unique from the other body paragraph(s) so that the details and examples fit clearly under a single heading.

Transitional Sentence

• This is the last sentence between body paragraphs, and it offers a bridge or connection between the main ideas.

Conclusion

A concluding paragraph should not contain new information on your topic.

Topic Sentence

Final Word

Provide a comment relating to present or future considerations about your topic. This is a catchy closing statement that will make the reader think about possibilities.

Review of Main Points

• Start with one of the transitions listed in the parentheses and then restate your thesis or main idea of the paper (As shown, All things considered, Summing up, As indicated, Overall, Clearly...)
• Communicate the same premise as your thesis; only vary the words and your sentence structure.

• Briefly restate or recap the topic sentences or main ideas of your body paragraphs in one to two sentences.