The Five-Paragraph Essay Mr. Neary Literacy  

Why do we have to learn how to write a five-paragraph essay anyway? PSSA Literacy Class Report Card Writing Grade High School Entrance Essays

Diagram of a Five-Paragraph Essay Introduction Paragraph Body Paragraphs Conclusion Paragraph

Purpose of an Intro Paragraph: The Intro previews the topic and purpose of the paper. It must grab the reader’s attention. It gives the reader background information that the reader needs to understand about the topic. The intro identifies the topic of the paper as well as the author’s opinion about the topic. Intro

The Intro Paragraph Intro General Q. Why is an up-side-down triangle used to represent an intro paragraph? Intro A. The intro moves from general to specific ideas. Specific

Parts of the Intro: Intro Hook The first sentence of the entire essay. Must grab or hook the readers attention May determine whether anyone will want to read your essay. Intro

Types of Hooks: Question: What is love? Quote: “All you need is love” Interesting Fact: Many people feel that they are unhappy because one thing is missing in their lives—love. Tell a story (only 2-5 sentences): As I opened the brown paper bag containing my lunch I was disappointed to find another peanut butter a jelly sandwich. “Not again,” I muttered to myself thinking angry thoughts towards my mother who had packed it that morning. Then my eye caught the shiny wrapper of a Snickers Bar, my favorite candy! On a napkin, in my mother’s neat handwriting were the words, “I love you.”

Intro THESIS STATEMENT The Thesis is THE most important sentence of you entire essay!!! It is the last sentence of your intro paragraph. It is the most specific sentence of you essay. Intro THESIS STATEMENT

Parts of a THESIS: Topic or Subject + Statement or Opinion = Thesis Statement Example: Love is a powerful force which can add a sense of security, hope and belonging to a person’s life. Topic: Love Opinion: is a powerful force which can instill a sense of security, hope and belonging in a person’s life

Okay…if an essay is a car…what part of the car would be the thesis? The thesis is like the steering wheel of a car because it has the power to decide what direction the essay is going to go. More importantly, if your essay does not have a thesis than there is no direction. The thesis tells the reader exactly where the essay will go. For example…

We know exactly what each body paragraph will be about… Love is a powerful force which can add a sense of security, hope and belonging to a person’s life. Security Hope Belonging These are called: Thesis Map

The Body Paragraphs: The Heart of Your Essay Each Body Paragraph must develop an idea or a sub-topic that supports the Thesis Statement.

Parts of a Body Paragraph Topic Sentence: The first sentence of a body paragraph This sentence is a signpost that lets your reader know what you will be discussing in this paragraph. This sentence must relate back to the thesis map. Example: A sense of security is felt when someone loves you because, you know they will never leave you.

Types of Sentences Found in a Body Paragraph: Concrete Details Any fact or statement Quotes Words from a text or an expert on the subject Commentary Your opinion telling why something is important

The Clincher The last sentence of a body paragraph may be used to clinch off the topic. A summarizing or transitional sentence Often rephrases the topic sentence Signpost telling your reader you are done with one topic and moving on to the next. Clincher

Conclusion Paragraph Reword the Thesis This sentence reminds readers what the point of your essay was. Example: People need to be loved in order to have a sense of security, a sense of hope in the future and a sense of belonging.

Draw your reader out… Your conclusion must… Tie up any loose ends. Summarize main ideas or important points. Answer the questions: So what? Why is this important? Connect the reader back to the larger picturet of the world.

Diagram Review Grabber or Hook Introduction Thesis Topic Sentence Body Clincher Rephrased Thesis Conclusion

Example It can be difficult to summarize an entire life into one page, but this snapshot of my past, present, and future will help you get to know me. An exploration of my family, interests and dreams will show you that I am an interesting individual.