Did you say FIVE paragraphs ?

Don’t be intimidated by the five paragraphs! I am going to show you a proven ‘blue-print’ for essay writing that, if you follow it, guarantees… A PERFECT ESSAY Every Time! No kidding!

What is a “Claim” statement? Easy! It is one sentence that gives three reasons why you believe the way you do. Three reasons….ONE SENTENCE!

Introduction example: Prompt: Based on research stating boys and girls learn differently, the Utah School Board has decided to separate males and females into different schools. Do you agree or disagree? It has come to my attention that the Utah School Board is thinking about separating males and females into different schools. This is based on research claiming that boys and girls learn differently. I don’t think it is a good idea to separate girls and boys. It is a bad idea because it will cause problems with transporting students in busses, make dances awkward, and it will deprive students of socializing. NOTICE THE CLAIM STATEMENT: THREE REASONS…ONE SENTENCE!

Let’s Practice! Prompt: Your friend has decided to give up their U.S. citizenship and defect to North Korea in order to do humanitarian work. They believe that, by doing so, they will be better accepted and able to help more effectively. Write a letter to this friend in which you either persuade them to go to North Korea, or to not go at all. Use any background knowledge, facts, and statistics to support your viewpoint.

Choose the side of the argument you can best…argue! List the reasons why you might: ApproveDisapprove

Introduction: Attention grabber 3-4 sentences giving background information Claim Statement: opinion + 3 reasons Paragraph Two – Transition word + topic sentence (restate the 1 st reason) Support the topic with evidence/personal examples AT LEAST 5 sentences! Paragraph Three – Transition word + topic sentence (restate the 2 nd reason) Support the topic with evidence/personal examples AT LEAST 5 sentences! Paragraph Four – Transition word + topic sentence (restate the 3 rd reason) Support the topic with evidence/personal examples AT LEAST 5 sentences! Conclusion Transition word + Restate your claim Call to Action! Ask reader to do as you have said.

Red-restatement of promptGreen-Opinion statement Blue-claim statement It has come to my attention that you are planning to leave America to help the people of North Korea. You have decided to live in that country, giving up your U.S. citizenship, in order to truly help the North Koreans. I can understand your desire to help, since many of the citizens in North Korea live in abject poverty, without even the most basic of comforts. However, I believe giving up your United States citizenship in order to help these people would be a terrible error in judgment…no matter how great the humanitarian needs may be. I believe you should not go to Korea because it is a dictator-led country, you wouldn’t succeed without ties to the outside world, and once you go there it would be very hard to leave.

Now we know how to write a great introduction…what about the rest of the essay? The following chart can be used as a guide.

Introduction: Attention grabber 3-4 sentences giving background information Claim Statement: opinion + 3 reasons Paragraph Two – Transition word + topic sentence (restate the 1 st reason) Support the topic with evidence/personal examples AT LEAST 5 sentences! Paragraph Three – Transition word + topic sentence (restate the 2 nd reason) Support the topic with evidence/personal examples AT LEAST 5 sentences! Paragraph Four – Transition word + topic sentence (restate the 3 rd reason) Support the topic with evidence/personal examples AT LEAST 5 sentences! Conclusion Transition word + Restate your claim Call to Action! Ask reader to do as you have said.

Transitions First First of all Second Secondly Third Next Then Afterwards In the evening In addition Also More importantly Finally At last Therefore In summary In conclusion

What does the essay look like?

Prompt: What is your favorite holiday? Introduction: Of all the holidays throughout the year, the Fourth of July is my favorite. I like the Fourth of July because we always have good food to eat, because we spend time with family, and especially because we watch colorful fireworks. The Fourth of July is truly the best holiday.

Paragraph Two – The 1 st reason First of all, my mom cooks the best food on the Fourth of July. We always have spicy, sweet barbequed ribs or chicken. My sister’s yearly request is golden corn on the cob dripping with butter. My dad must have creamy potato salad. However, my favorite item comes at the end of the meal—juicy, red watermelon. Yes, the Fourth of July meal is the best.

Paragraph Three–The 2 nd reason Next, it is always fun when my family gets together on the Fourth of July. Each holiday my uncles and aunts bring their families to our house. In the morning we usually go swimming in the lake behind our house or ride horses through the pasture. Afterwards, we have a big picnic with the whole family. Then my cousins and I get together for a game of baseball in the front yard. My family has a great time when we are all together.

Paragraph Four – The 3 rd reason Finally, I love to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. At night all of my family go downtown to the city’s annual fireworks display. We spread blankets on the cool grass and lie down facing the starry sky. Suddenly the night is filled with glory. Fingers of color explode overhead. Great booms and pops fill the night. We all watch in amazement at the beautiful sight. The fireworks are a great ending to a perfect day.

Conclusion (The 1st, the 2 nd, the 3rd) In conclusion, I believe that the Fourth of July is a wonderful holiday. Eating good food, being with my family, and watching the fireworks make the holiday extra special. No wonder the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. All Americans, who value this great country, should agree that the Fourth of July is the best holiday we celebrate each year.

Of all the holidays throughout the year, the Fourth of July is my favorite. I like the fourth of July because we always have good food to eat, because we spend time with family, and especially because we watch colorful fireworks. The Fourth of July is truly the best holiday. First of all, my mom cooks the best food on the Fourth of July. We always have spicy, sweet barbequed ribs or chicken. My sister’s yearly request is golden corn on the cob dripping with butter. My dad must have creamy potato salad. However, my favorite item comes at the end of the meal – juicy, red watermelon. Yes, the Fourth of July meal is the best. Next, it is always fun when my family gets together on the Fourth of July. Each holiday my uncles and aunts bring their families to our house. In the morning we usually go swimming in the lake behind our house or ride horses in the pasture. Afterwards, we have a big picnic with the whole family. Then my cousins and I get together for a game of baseball in the front yard. My family has a great time when we are all together. Finally, I love to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. At night all of my family go downtown to the city’s annual fireworks display. We spread blankets on the cool grass and lie down facing the starry sky. Suddenly the night is filled with glory. Fingers of color explode overhead. Great booms and pops fill the night. We all watch in amazement at the beautiful sight. The fireworks are a great ending to a perfect day. In conclusion, I believe that the Fourth of July is a wonderful holiday. Eating good food, being with my family, and watching the fireworks make the holiday extra special. No wonder the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. All Americans, who value this great country, should agree that the Fourth of July is the best holiday we celebrate each year.

The End