Writing the 5 Paragraph Essay

Introduction Three Parts  Attention Grabber  Claim/Argument  3 Reasons your argument is true

Introduction - A.G. Immediately catches audience’s attention  Think of person selling stuff on the street Ways to grab attention  Use a general, broad statement  Use a quote  Use a anecdote  Use facts to state importance of the topic  Ask a question Example: Do you believe students should be able to use their phones in school?

Introduction - Thesis Tells what your essay is about specifically.  That means:  It is not broad, narrow, or vague.  It is only going to discuss what the rest of your essay discusses.  If it happens to discuss anything the rest of your essay did not discuss, you need to change it! Example: Students need to be able to use their cell phones to assist in their education.

Introduction – 3 Reasons These are the 3 reasons that will prove your Thesis to be true. (Support) Must relate back to the Thesis Should be listed based on importance. Must be based on information from the text. Example:  1. Quick access to information  2. Ability to collaborate with students instantaneously  3. Collegiate/Workplace skills rely on ability to use technology.

Introduction Do you believe students should be able to use their phones in school? Students need to be able to use their cell phones to assist in their education because they offer quick access to information, allow students to connect with students, and effective use of technology is a modern real-world skill.

Body Paragraphs Need to follow the set-up of the Introduction Paragraph 3 parts:  Introduction  Support  Closing

Body Paragraph - Introduction Use a Transitional Word  First, Secondly, Also, Next, Finally, In Addition, As Well, However, Although… Use the same (or similar language) as used in the introduction paragraph to introduce claim  Example: First, students can access all the information the internet has to offer.

Body Paragraph - Support Use the text to support your claim Introduce quote  “In the text it states,”  “As (author’s name) states”  “In the article,” Example: In the text it states that, “cell phones obviously more available than laptops for most schools” (3).

Body Paragraph - Closing Wraps the paragraph up Leads into following paragraph (if possible) Should be only one sentence. Example: Therefore, using a cell phone is more beneficial than more common ways to access the internet.

Body Paragraph First, students can access all the information the internet has to offer. Students need to be able to quickly access the internet in order to keep their attention. In the text it states that, “cell phones obviously more available than laptops for most schools” (3). Therefore, using a cell phone is more beneficial than more common ways to access the internet.

Closing Paragraph Restates the thesis without using the exact words Uses a transitional word  In conclusion, Therefore, In the end… Should take your claim one step further  Original Thesis: Students need to be able to use their cell phones to assist in their education.  Closing: In conclusion students must be able to use cell phones in their education, to be able to compete in modern society. Should also restate the reasons why your thesis was proved.

Closing In conclusion, students must be able to use cell phones in their education to be able to compete in modern society. For quick access to information, the ability to collaborate with other students, and to build skills to used in a modern society, there is no other way.