Writing is an act of invention

5 Paragraph Essay the Formula Paragraph 1: Introduction with thesis as the last sentence Paragraphs 2, 3,4: Body Paragraphs Paragraph 5: Conclusion

Paragraph 1: The Introduction Catchy opening/Hook/Grab reader’s attention Give a few brief sentences of summary about story/time/place Last sentence of the introduction =THESIS –The one sentence that states what the entire will essay will prove – The premise or central argument –The most important sentence in the essay –Usually 3 pronged The magic number is

Introductions and Conclusions

Introduction: Moves from the General to Specific General Specific Thesis

Introduction : From the General to the Specific Begin generally. Begin with a hook: Anecdote, Quotation, Question, Statistic Explain how your hook applies to the specific story. Give some brief background information on the plot, setting, and characters. GENERAL SPECIFIC THESIS Thesis: Your specific argument. Thesis is the last sentence of the introduction.

Sample Essay Prompt and Thesis Sample prompt: Who is to blame for the tragedy in “The Veldt”? Thesis re-states the prompt The magic number is 3 Pronged Thesis: Sample Thesis: The psychologist, the children, and the parents all play a role in the tragedy that occurs.

Hooks Begin with: A provocative question A startling statement An anecdote An interesting quotation An intriguing definition

Anecdote as Hook In June 2008, a fifteen year old heiress, daughter of actress Ellen Barkin and Revlon owner Ron Perelman, Caleigh Perelman, sued her mother for not allowing her to have more computer time and won. While this situation seems far-fetched, we are now living in a topsy-turvy world where some children seem to have more power than their parents. This scenario is precisely the one depicted in Bradbury’s “The Veldt.” In this story, the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hadley, are murdered by their children, Peter and Wendy, who premeditate their parents’ demise after being forbidden to continue to play in their high tech nursery. The parents make the decision to close the nursery at the suggestion of their psychologist. Ultimately, the psychologist, the children, and the parents are all to blame for playing a role in this tragedy.

Quotation as Hook (click here) “A boy or girl who knows that love abounds at home will not resent well- deserved punishment. One who is unloved or ignored will hate any form of discipline.” -Dr. James DobsonDr. James Dobson Explain the quotation. Then explain how it applies to the story.

Startling Statement as Hook Technology is ruining our lives.

Provocative Question as Hook How come parents just cannot say no to their children anymore? Does technology help us or harm us?

Conclusion: From the Specific to the General Draw a conclusion Answers the “SO WHAT?” question Specific (Re-state the Thesis) Personal application Societal application Literary application General

Conclusion answers the “So what?” question Why does this topic matter at all—to me, to society, etc.? Draw a conclusion. Writing is an act of invention. INVENT a reason!

Think of why the work is being taught in school. Are there any universal themes? Do the characters reflect qualities in human nature we relate to? When was the book written? Why?

So What? Draw a conclusion Different ways to approach your conclusion Literary Application: This story is reminiscent of Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot where the technology gets so out of control that robots take over the world. Is this where our future is headed?

Societal application: This story teaches parents a valuable lesson. When parents cease to monitor their children, their kids may act with an attitude of entitlement or they might begin to get into all types of trouble. Children may start associating with the wrong type of people who can negatively influence them; their grades may start slipping…

Personal application: I personally relate to this story because I trample over my parents and do not appreciate them enough…

You can also end with a hook: A provocative question A startling statement An anecdote An interesting quotation An intriguing definition

When you sit down to start the essay: Some students find it easier to begin with the thesis and body paragraphs. You may want to write the introduction and conclusion LAST.

Ideas don’t come out of the air. WRITE TO DISCOVER.