Writing for AP/Social Sciences 5 Paragraph Essay

5 Paragraph Format Traditional style of argumentative writing. Most typical in higher education and beyond Focus is on an “argument” or “position” taken by the author. Entire exercise is to PROVE the argument or position taken NOT descriptive NOT narrative

Basic Structure Paragraph 1-Introduction – Thesis statement (roadmap for entire essay) Paragraph 2-data supporting argument – Evidence and information supporting thesis Paragraph 3-data supporting argument – Evidence and information supporting thesis Paragraph 4-data supporting argument – Evidence and information supporting thesis Paragraph 5-Conclusion – Summary of data and illustration of proof

The THESIS-Paragraph 1 The CORE/CENTAL argument of the essay. The answer to the question posed. DIRECTLY responds to the question. Serves as a “roadmap” for both the reader and the author If YOU get lost in the process of writing your essay, go back and look at your thesis. ALWAYS found in the INTRODUCTION In reality, preparing a thesis is the most difficult aspect of writing an essay.

Example Thesis Statements “The main cause of the American Revolution was the increasing development of an American character and identity separate from that of England” “The geography of the new world ultimately led to the development of two distinct societies in the Americas”

Essay Body-Rule of 3 Your thesis must be supported by three lines of evidence that illustrate the validity, truthfulness and accuracy of the thesis. These three lines of evidence are discussed in the BODY of the essay. DON’T discuss any information or data that does not support the argument made in the thesis statement. If it isn’t relevant or helping you argue the position you took in the thesis, DON’T mention it.

Essay Body-Paragraphs 2-4 Each of these paragraphs begin with a TOPIC sentence that presents ONE piece of data that SUPPORTS the thesis statement/argument made in the introduction. Only discuss ONE piece of data per paragraph Use that data to illustrate why the thesis statement is valid DON’T discuss any other information in that paragraph. Don’t generalize or draw conclusions that aren’t or can’t be supported.

Sample Essay The question: “What factors contributed to the development of differing societies in the New World despite the fact that a majority of the early settlers where English” Basic Thesis: The 1 geography of the new world, the people’s 2 reasons for settling, and 3 who they were resulted in the development of three distinct societies in the new world” More Advanced: The geography of the new world, specifically the 1 Appalachian Mountains, coupled with the colonist’s 2 rationale and 3 demographic composition, resulted in the creation three distinct societies.

Sample Essay: Plug It In P#1-Introduction: Thesis – The 1 geography of the new world, the people’s 2 reasons for settling, and 3 who they were resulted in the development of three distinct societies in the new world P#2-Body: Topic Sentence #1 – “The geography of the new world would lead to…” – Data: soil/rivers/mountains/flood plains P#3-Body: Topic Sentence #2 – “The reasons for why the colonists settled would impact…” – Data: religious freedom/fame/money/long-term/short-term P#4-Body: Topic Sentence #3 – “Who these groups of settlers where ultimately led to…” – Data: families/individuals P#5-Conclusion – “Clearly, by looking at these three factors…”