Your Handy Dandy Guide to Organizing a Proper 5 Paragraph Essay How to Write an Essay Your Handy Dandy Guide to Organizing a Proper 5 Paragraph Essay

What is an Essay A basic essay consists of three main parts: INTRODUCTION 3 BODY PARAGRAPHS A CONCLUSION People write an essay to persuade others. The purpose of the essay is to prove a point about a particular topic.

The Introduction The introduction guides the reader into your paper by grabbing attention and introducing the topic. Introduce your essay by having a HOOK!! This is merely a catchy first sentence that will grab the reader’s attention Make sure to introduce your topic. Provide a brief synopsis of what your topic is and also remember to include your reference works (i.e.. John Wyndham’s The Chrysalids) Write the thesis statement, which is the guide to the entire essay, in the introduction. Remember to have a concluding sentence in your introduction. The reference is the name of the novel with the author.

The Thesis Statement A thesis statement is simply an argument that you are going to prove. It is the roadmap for your essay and explains to the reader exactly what you will discuss in your paper. The thesis statement will be the LAST SENTENCE in your INTRODUCTION paragraph. A basic thesis statement contains the topic and the 3 main points to support the topic.

BODY PARAGRAPHS In a basic 5 paragraph essay, there are 3 body paragraphs. Each body paragraph should discuss one of the points in your thesis. You are trying to convince the reader that your point is right. Each body paragraph needs a topic sentence, point, and proof. Be sure to use transition phrases to connect your ideas. Write a closing sentence. Do this x3

WRITING A PARAGRAPH Therefore…POINT (topic sentence) A full and complete paragraph consists of a MINIMUM of 8-10 sentences and follows a specific format: TOPIC SENTENCE (1st Sentence) The topic sentence reflects which thesis statement point you will be discussing in the body paragraph. You must PROVE your POINT by providing PROOFS (examples) to support your topic sentence. You must COMMENT on each PROOF to further your analysis. Therefore…POINT (topic sentence) PROOF & COMMENT (x3) CONCLUDING SENTENCE (last sentence) Each paragraph should end with a final statement that brings together the ideas brought up in the paragraph and emphasizes the main point one last time.

#1 RULE IN ANY CONCLUSION YOU CANNOT INTRODUCE ANYTHING NEW! The Conclusion The conclusion brings together ALL of the main points of the essay. It refers back to and RESTATES the THESIS. The conclusion leaves the reader with a final thought and a sense of closure by resolving any ideas brought up in the essay. #1 RULE IN ANY CONCLUSION YOU CANNOT INTRODUCE ANYTHING NEW!

MLA Format Essay written in 12 pt font, 1” margins No separate title page. In the top left corner of the first page of your essay, write: Your Name Teacher’s Name Double spaced Course Code Date Submitted Put your last name and page number in the top corner of each page after the title page.   Italicize the title of the novel When using quotes, reference the page number in the following way:   First quote, use the author’s name in the reference. “I didn't even notice then that it had more than the usual number of toes” (Wyndham 6).  

MLA Continued Second quote from the same source, no need for the author’s name. “I didn’t even notice then that it had more than the usual number of toes” (6).  Submit a Works Cited page to show the resources that you have quoted from in your essay. The format for the Works Cited: Write Works Cited centered at the top of a new page. (Ensure your last name and the page number are still included in the top right corner.) Each entry in the works cited should be in alphabetical order according to the author’s last name.   Last name, First name. Title of Book. City published: Publisher, Year.