The Five-Paragraph Essay A Framework for Expository Writing

Why Do We Write?

Different Kinds of Writing We write for fun. We write letters, We write stories, We write jokes, and We write to share information with our family or friends.

Different Kinds of Writing Most school writing is expository writing and Most school writing fits into a different category.

Expository Writing The purpose of expository writing is to communicate ideas The purpose of expository writing is to answer questions.

Expository Writing Gives information about a topic Explains ideas Gives directions Shows how to do something

Expository Writing Uses Transitions Writer’s Express says: “Expository writing uses transition words (such as first, second, and most importantly). These words help guide the reader through the explanation.” Writer’s Express - A Handbook for Young Writers, Thinkers, and Learners ©1995

(Watch for the color-coding, it will help you organize your ideas.) In school, your teacher gives you a prompt and tells you to write an expository essay: “Write about your favorite pet.” What do you do??? Don’t panic. Follow this plan… (Watch for the color-coding, it will help you organize your ideas.)

Start with your main idea or topic. use key words from the prompt It’s Easy! Expository writing isn’t difficult when you have a plan. Make it even easier: use a graphic organizer Start with your main idea or topic. use key words from the prompt

You ONLY Need Three Ideas... It’s Easy! You ONLY Need Three Ideas... Begin with your main idea or your topic Give three reasons that show your topic sentence is true and Give three examples of each reason

It’s Easy! You ONLY Need Three Ideas... Topic sentence Show your topic sentence is true Show examples of your reasons (Remember to show, not tell.) That’s all you need for the start of a great essay!!!

Correct Paragraph Form Topic Sentence Three Examples Conclusion Five sentences

Each paragraph should have at least five sentences. Use Paragraph Form Each paragraph should have at least five sentences. Topic Sentence Three Examples Conclusion Five sentences

The Beginning - Your First Sentences Start with a topic sentence that uses the key words from the prompt. My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo.

The Beginning Your First Sentences Then write three reasons that prove the topic sentence is true. My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. He is a beautiful and easy to care for. Playing with him is lots of fun. He always takes care of me.

Now end with a conclusion: Remember, each paragraph must have a concluding sentence. Finish with a sentence that restates your topic sentence.

End with a conclusion: - each paragraph has a concluding sentence. - a concluding sentence restates the topic sentence “My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo.” -your concluding sentence uses different words.

The concluding sentence The concluding sentence restates your topic sentence “My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo.” using different words. I have never had a better pet.

You already have your first paragraph done. Pretty easy, huh You already have your first paragraph done! Pretty easy, huh? To make it even easier, look at this organizational plan using color-coding.

Paragraph 1: Introduction Introduction or Topic Sentence First Subtopic Second Subtopic Third Subtopic Conclusion

Sentence 1: Introduction Paragraph 1: Introduction Sentence 1: Introduction Introduction or Topic Sentence (Use key words from the prompt) “Write about your favorite pet.” “My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo.”

Paragraph 1 :: Introduction Sentence 2: First Subtopic First Subtopic (“Showing” Example) He is beautiful and easy to care for.

Paragraph 1: Introduction Sentence 3: Second Subtopic Second Subtopic (A “Showing” Example) Playing with him is lots of fun.

Paragraph 1: Introduction Sentence 4: Third Subtopic Third Subtopic (“Showing” Example) He always takes care of me.

Paragraph 1: Introduction Sentence 5: Conclusion Conclusion (Restates Introduction) I have never had a better pet.

Paragraph 1: Introduction Example My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. He is beautiful and easy to care for. Playing with him is lots of fun. He always takes care of me. I have never had a better pet.

First Subtopic (Example #1) Paragraph 2: Introduction Restate each subtopic as the topic sentence for each of the next three paragraphs. First Subtopic (Example #1) “He is beautiful and easy to care for.” is the topic sentence to restate in the second paragraph.

Paragraph 2: Example #1 Topic Sentence (Restate introduction “He is beautiful and easy to care for.” ) 3 Example Sentences (Prove your Topic Sentence) Concluding Sentence (Restates Topic Sentence from Example #1)

Paragraph 2: Example Romeo is beautiful and easy to care for. He is a tricolor Sheltie, mostly black with white and a bit of brown. Caring for him is easy because I simply have to make sure he has fresh water and food every day. I exercise him by throwing his toys. Because he is good looking and doesn’t require much care, Romeo is a good pet.

Restate the second subtopic Paragraph 3: Example Restate the second subtopic -- second subtopic is topic sentence in 3rd paragraph. Second Subtopic (Example #2) “Playing with him is lots of fun.” is the topic sentence you will restate for your third paragraph.

Paragraph 3: Example Topic Sentence (Restate Example #2 from the Introduction “Playing with him is lots of fun.”) 3 Example Sentences (Prove your Topic Sentence) Concluding Sentence (Restates Topic Sentence from Example #2)

Paragraph 3: Example Romeo is lots of fun to play with. He loves to play catch. He follows me around the house with a toy and drops it on my foot so I will toss it. He can catch just about anything, but his favorite is chasing a Frisbee. I really have fun playing with Romeo.

The third subtopic is the topic sentence in the next paragraph. Paragraph 3: Example The third subtopic is the topic sentence in the next paragraph. Third Subtopic (Example #3) “He always takes care of me.” is the topic sentence for your fourth paragraph.

3 Example Sentences (That prove your Topic Sentence) Paragraph 4: Example #3 Topic Sentence (Restate Sentence #3 from the Introduction “Romeo takes care of me.”) 3 Example Sentences (That prove your Topic Sentence) Concluding Sentence (Restate Topic Sentence from Example #3)

Paragraph 4: Example #3 Romeo takes care of me. He always follows me when I leave a room. When I am sitting on a couch he plops down right beside me. On sunny days when we are hiking in the woods he always makes sure that I keep up with the rest of the family. He always watches out for me.

Paragraph 5: Conclusion (Restates Paragraph 1: Introduction) First Subtopic (Example) Second Subtopic (Example) Third Sentence (Example) Conclusion

(Restates Paragraph 1: Introduction) Paragraph 5: Conclusion (Restates Paragraph 1: Introduction) As you can see, Romeo is a great pet. I am proud of him and he doesn’t require much care. Playing with him is very pleasurable. I am always safe because he watches over me. Romeo is a wonderful pet.

There you have it! Expository writing isn’t that difficult when you have a plan. To make it even easier you may want to use a graphic organizer like the following ones to organize your thoughts.

Name ___________________________ Date ___________________________ English 7:_____ Five-paragraph essay organizer Main Idea Main Example 2 Main Example 3 Main Example 1 Example One Prompt: “Write about your favorite pet.” 2. Freewrite 3. Choose main idea sentence.

My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. Name ___________________________ Date ___________________________ English 7:_____ Five-paragraph essay organizer Main Idea Main Example 2 Main Example 3 Main Example 1 Example One Prompt: “Write about your favorite pet.” 2. Freewrite 3. Choose main idea sentence. My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo.

My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. Name ___________________________ Date ___________________________ English 7:_____ Five-paragraph essay organizer Main Idea Main Example 2 Main Example 3 Main Example 1 Example One Prompt: “Write about your favorite pet.” 2. Freewrite 3. Choose main idea sentence. 4. Give three examples that make main idea true. He is beautiful and easy to care for. My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo.

My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. Name ___________________________ Date ___________________________ English 7:_____ Five-paragraph essay organizer Main Idea Main Example 2 Main Example 3 Main Example 1 Example One Prompt: “Write about your favorite pet.” 2. Freewrite 3. Choose main idea sentence. 4. Give three examples that make main idea true. He is beautiful and easy to care for. My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. Playing with him is lots of fun.

My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. Name ___________________________ Date ___________________________ English 7:_____ Five-paragraph essay organizer Main Idea Main Example 2 Main Example 3 Main Example 1 Example One Prompt: “Write about your favorite pet.” 2. Freewrite 3. Choose main idea sentence. 4. Give three examples that make main idea true. He is beautiful and easy to care for. My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. Playing with him is lots of fun. He always takes care of me.

My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. Name ___________________________ Date ___________________________ English 7:_____ Five-paragraph essay organizer Example 1 Example 3 Main Idea Main Example 2 Main Example 3 Main Example 1 Example 2 He is beautiful and easy to care for. My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. Playing with him is lots of fun. He always takes care of me.

My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. Name ___________________________ Date ___________________________ English 7:_____ Five-paragraph essay organizer Main Idea Main Example 2 Main Example 3 Main Example 1 He is beautiful and easy to care for. My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. Example 1 He always takes care of me. Playing with him Is lots of fun. Example 2 Example 3

My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. Name ___________________________ Date ___________________________ English 7:_____ Five-paragraph essay organizer Main Idea Main Example 2 Main Example 3 Main Example 1 He is beautiful and easy to care for. Example 3 My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. Exaple 1 Playing with him Is lots of fun. He always takes care of me. Example 3 Example 3

Five-Paragraph Essay Organizer Main Idea Name _____________________ Main Example 1 Main Example 2 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Five-Paragraph Essay Organizer Name _____________________ Example 3 Example 1 Example 3

Five-Paragraph Essay Organizer Main Idea Name _____________________ Main Example 1 Main Example 2 Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Five-Paragraph Essay Organizer Name _____________________ Example 3 Example 1 Example 3

Have fun with your writing & remember, you only need THREE IDEAS for a great expository essay!

ASSIGNMENT Write an essay based on “Ordeal by Cheque” OR “The And and the Grasshopper.” Use THREE IDEAS for a great expository essay!