5 paragraph essay Every essay you write in high school should follow the following basic guidelines.

5 paragraph formula 1- Introduction paragraph with thesis 2- Body paragraphs 3- Conclusion paragraph

Introduction paragraph example: Before the United States existed, when America was made up of British colonies, the country was a vast unknown wilderness that frightened many settlers. There was a lot the people of the time didn’t know, and in order to understand the unknown, many people looked to God and the devil. If someone was sick and the cause was unknown, the devil must have something to do with it or God must wish to punish that person. It was in this environment that in 1692, in Salem, Massachusetts, innocent men and women were accused, tried, convicted, and killed because of invisible proof. John Proctor was an upstanding citizen of Salem, and yet he was executed because of invisible evidence.

1 st paragraph The first paragraph should be your introduction paragraph. Always begin generally, then get more specific with each sentence. The thesis statement is usually the last sentence in your introductory paragraph.

What is a thesis statement? ?

A thesis statement is the main idea of your essay.

For example: In an essay about the person you researched, your thesis statement might be say: John Proctor was an upstanding citizen of Salem, and yet he was executed because of invisible evidence.

The body of your essay: The body of your essay should have at least 3 paragraphs (hence the name: 5 paragraph essay). Longer papers will have more than 3 body paragraphs, but beginning writers should keep it simple In this essay, use the transition handout to build the sentences to reveal your research

Body Paragraph Example According to Justin Luger, of the University of Virginia, John Proctor Sr. was a well to do farmer at the time of the Salem Witch panic, and was approximately sixty years old. He also owned a tavern that his wife and daughter managed. This evidence reveals that Proctor was an upstanding member of society, and that he was wealthy. Luger reports that after Proctor was arrested, other members of the Salem community stood up for him, maintaining his innocence. In The Crucible, a petition was signed on behalf of Rebecca Nurse and Martha Corey. Luger reports that a petition was signed with more than thirty signatures attesting to the good name of John Proctor and his wife. This evidence reveals that Proctor and his family were upstanding members of society, well liked by those around them. During this type of crisis, many people would surely have felt frightened at the thought of putting their names to a piece of paper associated with an accused witch, but John Proctor was so well respected that his friends risked their own reputations to stand up for him.

Conclusion paragraph Your conclusion paragraph should wrap up what you’ve said in your essay. Mention your thesis again (don’t use the same exact sentence though) and restate your point End with something that drives your point home with your reader.

Conclusion paragraph example: John Proctor died because he fought for what he believed in. He knew that the trials were ridiculous, and that hanging someone based on nothing but spectral evidence was absurd. Rather than keep his mouth shut to save himself, he spoke the truth and fought for what was right. In The Crucible, Arthur Miller immortalized John Proctor because in a world where people lie to get what they want, a man who dies to tell the truth is a hero. We should all share his conviction.