1. How to Write a 5 Paragraph Essay

2. What is an Essay, and why are they written?
An essay is a non-fiction piece of writing
Essays allow a writer to express their idea or argument in an interesting and informative manner
Essays are used to evaluate ideas, actions and people
Essays are written on everything from celebrities to economics and politics. They are often used to inform readers on the position of the writer. Essays should be fact based, because they are non-fiction.

3. The 5 paragraph Essay Made up of 5 paragraphs
Introduction
3 supporting paragraphs
Conclusion
This format allows writers to clearly organize their argument in a logical and effective way
“Ask students if they’ve written an essay in this format before, prompt discussion of past knowledge”

4. Introduction Paragraph
Purpose
Introduce readers to the main idea of your argument
State the ideas that will be used to support your argument
Thesis Statement
Should clearly state the topic, your position, and how you plan to persuade others of your position
Example: Does the environmental benefit of electric cars outweigh their cost? :
Poor thesis statement: Electric cars are better vehicles because they have environmental benefits
Strong thesis statement: Electric cars provide a viable alternative to gasoline-fueled cars because the environmental benefits outweigh the fiscal costs
After reading the introduction, readers should know the broad ideas they will encounter in the essay. They should know your take on the issue, and how you plan to explain your reasoning. The introduction’s focal point is the THESIS STATEMENT. This is one or two sentences that act as a road map for the reader, that tells them where they are, and where they will be going in this essay.
Examples:
First is weak because it does not compare; what are electric cars better than? Why?
The second sentence compares electric cars to gasoline cars. It clearly states an opinion, and gives the reader an idea of what will be discussed in the paper.

5. Thesis Statement
Should be formed AFTER you’ve thought about the topic, done a little research and have a plan for your essay
Should answer the following questions
Do I answer the question being asked?
Have I taken a position that can be challenged or opposed (the answer should be YES)
Before writing your thesis statement or essay, you should write down your ideas, a few notes, and some facts that support your position. We’ll touch on this more in a little while
Your thesis statement should clearly respond to the essay prompt, and answer the question being asked. It should also be debatable, if it is not, then you are summarizing facts, instead of presenting an argument. Finally, after reading a thesis statement, the reader should know the answer to the three questions. They should be able to identify why the issue is important, how you plan on proving it, and why they should continue reading!
Read students these two thesis statements, and ask which they think is better:
“Humans should relocate to Mars”
“It is too late to save Earth; therefore, humans should immediately set a date for their relocation to Mars. On Mars, with proper planning, humans can avoid issues of famine, war and global warming”
The second is stronger, as it answers all three questions, and entices the reader to continue reading.

6. Supporting Paragraphs
There are 3 supporting paragraphs, called the body, in a five-paragraph essay
They further develop the main idea
Each paragraph has ONE main argument supported by facts and/or observations
These paragraphs should help prove your point, and answer the main question presented in the prompt

7. Supporting Paragraphs
Since each paragraph discusses a different point you will need TRANSITION words at the beginning/end of each supporting paragraph
Common transition words include:
However, Therefore, Related, In addition, Nevertheless, Although, Furthermore, Even though
For more transition words visit: Transition Words
Example transition sentence:
Even though electric cars may cost more to purchase, they require less maintenance and fuel.
For more transition words, visit
Teachers can encourage their students to make a list of transition words prior to writing.

8. Conclusion Paragraph This is the final paragraph
It should restate the main idea, and present a summary of the essay
Restate the strongest points of your essay (in new words)
Conclude by reiterating your main argument
It is the reader’s final impression
Conclusions are also used to suggest a plan of action, or personal opinion
Students often struggle with finding a balance between presenting their own opinion and restating the facts. It is important that students rely on the facts to reach a conclusion.

9. Overview Introduction Supporting Paragraphs Conclusion
Did you state the purpose, and introduce the main ideas?
Supporting Paragraphs
Did you tell the reader why this idea is important?
Conclusion
Did you restate your main point?
Did you leave the reader with a clear understanding of the argument?

10. Pre-Writing These are ideas of what to do PRIOR to writing
Before starting your essay, you want to have an idea of your argument
Read the prompt
Write it down, and then write all the ideas you have about it
Determine your position
Choose the ideas that best support your position
If teacher’s plan on holding workshops for their students, it is often helpful to have 2-3 sessions. The first session can focus on pre-planning, where you discuss the essay prompt, and give students an opportunity to map out their essay.

11. Pre-writing Ask yourself
What question am I going to answer in this paragraph or essay?
How can I best answer this question?
What is the most important part of my answer?
How can I make an introductory sentence (or thesis statement) from the most important part of my answer?
What facts or ideas can I use to support my introductory sentence?
How can I make this paragraph or essay interesting?
Do I need more facts on this topic?
Where can I find more facts on this topic?

12. Web-mapping
Standardized testing does not reflect real gains in knowledge
Students grades in class and grades on tests are often different
Memorizing material and being able to apply it are two different skills
Many U.S. colleges are making test score submission optional, and consider test scores in addition to many other factors
Tests are not objective, and favor a certain type of learner
Web-mapping helps you develop your ideas, at the center, put your main idea, or thesis statement, then, fill in the other circles with all your ideas/arguments on the subject, chose the three strongest points. These three points will then become the main topics of your supporting paragraphs

13. Post-Writing
This is what to do AFTER you’ve written your essay; they are just as important as the writing itself!
Check GRAMMAR and SPELLING
Make sure each sentence has a subject
Make sure your tenses match
Make sure you have verb and subject agreement
Re-read your essay
Make sure each sentence is clear
Peer editing is a great tool, especially for NEEC participants. Students writing in a second language can often make simple mistakes in grammar and spelling, pairing students off and having them read and edit each others essays is a good way to help the post-writing process.

14. What is plagiarism?
Plagiarism is taking other’s ideas and claiming them as your own
Plagiarism can take many forms including:
Turning in someone else’s work as your own
Copying words or ideas from someone else without giving credit
Failing to put quotations around a quote
Giving incorrect information about a source
Changing words but copying sentence structure
When the majority of your work is taken from the ideas or words of others

15. Recognizing Plagiarism
Here is an original text from page 1 of “Lizzie Borden: A case Book of Family and Crime in the 1890s” by Joice Williams et al.:
“The rise of industry, the growth of cities, and the expansion of the population were the three great developments of the late nineteenth century American history. As new, larger, steam-powered factories became a feature of the American landscape in the East, they transformed farm hands into industrial laborers, and provided jobs for a rising tide of immigrants. With industry came urbanization the growth of large cities (like Fall River, Massachusetts, where the Bordens lived) which became the centers of production as well as of commerce and trade
Response One:
The increase of industry, the growth of cities, and the expansion of the population were three large factors of nineteenth century America. As stream-driven companies became a feature of the American landscape in the East, they transformed farm hands into industrial laborers, and provided the large wave of immigrants. With industry came the growth of large cities, like Fall River, where the Bordens lived which turned into centers of commerce and trade as well as production
Response Two:
Fall River, where the Borden family lived, was typical of northeastern industrial cities of the nineteenth century. Steam-powered production had shifted labor from agriculture to manufacturing, and, as immigrants arrived in the U.S., they found work in these new factories. As a result, populations grew, and large, urban areas arose. Fall River was one of these manufacturing and commercial centers (Williams, 1).
Have teachers read the original text, and the two responses
Ask teachers if the responses are plagiarism, and why or why not
For response one:
This is plagiarism because the writer has only changed a few words, phrases, or the structure (not the meaning) of the sentences. The writer also fails to give credit to the source (via citation)
For response two:
Writer accurately relays the information , uses his or her own words and cites the source of the information, this is not plagiarism

16. Using quotations
Quotations must be copied exactly the way it appears from the source. Quotes should never be more than 40 words or two sentences in length.
Examples of properly citing a quote in an essay
"My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and to try and love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.“ (Angelou)
Maya Angelou once said, "My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and to try and love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return."

17. Checking for Plagiarism
These sites allow essays to be checked for plagiarism
This site offers lessons on avoiding and recognizing plagiarism
Plagiarism is not tolerated in the NEEC
To prevent plagiarism, inform students on what it is and how to avoid it!

18. A few more tips!
Have a friend or teacher read your essay, they might see things you missed!
Check for proper punctuation
Avoid Plagiarism
Make sure your essay follows the proper order:
Introduction
Supporting Paragraphs
Conclusion
HAVE FUN