ABCDE Essay Structure The Five-Paragraph Essay (For Persuasive and Expository Writing)

China Essay Prompt: Describe three ancient Chinese inventions that have influenced the world today. Explain the significant impact each of these inventions has had on the world.

Prewriting A thesis statement focuses your ideas into one or two sentences. It should present the topic of your paper and also make a comment about your position in relation to the topic. Your thesis statement should tell your reader what the paper is about and also help guide your writing and keep your information or argument focused.

ABCDE Essay Format Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions Introductory Paragraph Body Paragraphs Concluding Paragraph

Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Introductory Paragraph General Specific

Step 1: Central Thesis Statement  Most important sentence of the essay.  It is the main idea statement. (Highlighted in green)  Always an opinion when writing to persuade.  Always factual when writing informative papers  Contains three main points supporting the opinion.  Must be written first before planning the essay.  Narrows the topic down to a manageable size.  Always the last sentence of the Introductory paragraph.

Step 1: Central Thesis Statement (Cont’d) Example: Ancient China’s inventions were extremely important to the rest of the world. Modern life would not be the same without inventions of paper, movable print and a ships rudder. Opinion 3 Reasons

Step 2: Attention-Grabber  Always the first sentence of the first paragraph  Purpose: To “hook” the reader To introduce the subject  NEVER an opinion. You don’t want your audience to disagree with you right away.  Facts work better. Your audience can’t disagree with a fact.

Step 2: Attention-Grabber (Cont’d) Example: Imagine going to school and having to have special tools to chip away at a clay tablet. It would take hours to do what you can do in just a few minutes on paper.

Step 3: Bridge/Background  Gives background information and details that will help your reader understand the details in the rest of the essay.  In an essay, you should explain the idea or situation given to you in the prompt. Should be about 2 sentences.

Step 3: Bridge/Background Example: The Ancient Chinese encouraged the study of science and technology. Though this study ancient Chinese led the world with some the of best inventions from history.

Put your hook, background and thesis together an you have your first paragraph.  Imagine going to school and having to have special tools to chip away at a clay tablet. It would take hours to do what you can do in just a few minutes on paper. The Ancient Chinese encouraged the study of science and technology. Though this study ancient Chinese led the world with some the of best inventions from history. Ancient China’s inventions were extremely important to the rest of the world. Modern life would not be the same without inventions of paper, movable print and a ships rudder.

ABCDE Essay Format Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions Introductory Paragraph Body Paragraphs Concluding Paragraph

Body Paragraphs Divisions

Step 4: Divisions  Three paragraphs (2, 3 and 4) which are the body of the essay. D-1:  1 st Body Paragraph (2 nd Overall Paragraph) D-2:  2 nd Body Paragraph (3 rd Overall Paragraph) D-3:  3 rd Body Paragraph (4 th Overall Paragraph)  They are the specific supporting details for the Central Thesis.

Division Paragraphs D-1: First reason for thesis. Transition, reason 1. Explanation 1. Transition, reason 2. Explanation 2. Transition, reason 3. Explanation 3. Transition, restatement of first reason for thesis. Each paragraph in the body should be a POWER PARAGRAPH, with: A topic sentence Supporting Details/Examples (with transitions) Restatement of Topic Sentence D-2: Second reason for thesis. Transition, reason 1. Explanation 1. Transition, reason 2. Explanation 2. Transition, reason 3. Explanation 3. Transition, restatement of second reason for thesis. D-3: Third reason for thesis. Transition, reason 1. Explanation 1. Transition, reason 2. Explanation 2. Transition, reason 3. Explanation 3. Transition, restatement of third reason for thesis.

Step 4: Divisions Example D-1: One ancient Chinese invention that has change the world thereafter is paper. Transition word 1 st idea about honesty+ Explanations/Examples Transition word 2 nd idea about honesty + Explanations/Examples Transition word 3 rd idea about honesty + Explanations/Examples Then you would restate your D-1 topic sentence from above.

Step 4: Divisions Example D-2: Another invention important to the world that the ancient Chinese created was movable print. Transition word 1 st idea about loyalty+ Explanations/Examples Transition word 2 nd idea about loyalty + Explanations/Examples Transition word 3 rd idea about loyalty + Explanations/Examples Then you would restate your D-2 topic sentence from above.

Step 4: Divisions Example D-3: Along with the inventions of paper and movable print the ancient Chinese also invention a help device for sea travel: the ships rudder Transition word 1 st idea about respect+ Explanations/Examples Transition word 2 nd idea about respect + Explanations/Examples Transition word 3 rd idea about respect + Explanations/Examples Then you would restate your D-3 topic sentence from above.

ABCDE Essay Format Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions Introductory Paragraph Body Paragraphs Concluding Paragraph

Concluding Paragraph Specific General Ending Statement Summarize Division Paragraphs “Clincher” Statement

Step 5: Ending Statement  A restatement of the Central Thesis Statement (also highlighted in green).  Basically, the same as the Central Thesis, but using different words.  This is the first sentence of your Concluding Paragraph.

Step 5: Ending Statement (Cont’d) Example: The ancient Chinese gifted the rest of the world with its innovative inventions.

Step 6: Summarize Division Paragraphs  Quickly restate each of your supporting details.  This will remind your reader of your reasons. Example: Paper is used all around the world daily to share ideas, for money and even for art. Movable print led to books, eventually to typewriters and now the world has computers based on those same ideas. The invention of the ship’s rudder to this day is essential in the steering of boats, airplanes and even hovercrafts.

Step 7: “Clincher” Statement  This is meant to drive home the main idea or argument.  It helps to write something that affects the reader.  Example: Look up in the sky, there will be an airplane with a rudder, open your backpack-there will be paper, and as you type a text to your BFF you might really want to say thank you to the Ancient Chinese for making movable type.

ABCDE Essay Format Attention-Grabber Bridge/Background Central Thesis Statement Ending Statement Summarize “Clincher” Statement Divisions Introductory Paragraph Body Paragraphs Concluding Paragraph