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

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 EXPANDED OUTLINE

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”

INTRODUCTION = CONTEXT & ARGUMENT BODY PARAGRAPH #1 = BODY OF EVIDENCE BODY PARAGRAPH #2 BODY PARAGRAPH #3 CONCLUSION = SYNTHESIS Five-Paragraphs are just a template:

Still Need Same Basic Elements IntroductionContext & Claim Create Hook Establish background context for writing Give thesis Preview evidence/organization Springboard Body Paragraphs Evidence Transition from prior section Single, clear claim for section Strong details supporting claim Mini-conclusion on claim ConclusionSynthesis Restate central claim Review evidence Apply evidence and claim to context to create broader significance