1. Essay Writing: The 5 Paragraph Essay

2. Why Should I Care About Writing?
Writing is an essential job skill
Builds your ability to explain complex positions
Develops communication and thinking skills
Helps give others feedback and helps others give feedback to you.
Writing expresses who you are as a person

3. 5 Paragraph Essay Blueprint
Introduction
Intro Sentence/Hook
Background Sentences
Thesis Statement
Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence
Supporting Sentences
Concluding Sentence
Conclusion
Restate Thesis
Summarizing Sentences
Lasting Impression Final Sentence

4. #1:Introductory Paragraph
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
-Introduces your papers topic
-Parts of the Introduction Paragraph:
Hook
Background Information
Thesis

5. A) First Things First: The Hook
"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much. They were the last people you'd expect to be involved in anything strange or mysterious, because they just didn't hold with such nonsense.”

6. The Hook It should grab your reader’s attention. Quote
Vivid description
Anecdote
Definition
Question
Must transition into the paper’s topic

7. Hook: Quote
A quote is a memorable line from a famous figure in history.
Make sure to include author/speaker.
Ex) Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

8. Hook: Vivid Description
A vivid description is like a photo- a single snapshot. Unlike an anecdote, it has no plot or action.
Ex) The sweet smell of cotton candy floats in the air. Bumper cars collide in the distance. There is nothing like the county fair.

9. Hook: Anecdote
An anecdote is a short story that leads the reader into your topic.
Ex) Imagine a small child crying at the county fair because they cannot ride the rides the big kids do. Despite their wailing, the parent does not budge. In a similar fashion…

10. Hook: Definition
Define a term that is closely related to your topic. Provide a definition that your audience may not know.
Ex) Webster’s dictionary defines sarcasm as, “a witty remark used to convey insult.”

11. Hook: Question Ask a question to draw your reader into your paper.
Ex) Is it true that sometimes love is not enough to overcome difficult circumstances? In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet…

12. B) Intro Paragraph: Background Information Sentences
Assume that your reader has never read the question
What does your audience need to know?
Names
Dates
Quotes
Arguments
If it is a text, then include the author, title and a brief synopsis of the story

13. C) The Thesis Statement: The Roadmap for Your Essay
Main argument of your paper
It introduces the reader to the rest of your paper

14. Recipe for a Good Thesis
_______________ because ________________ , ________________ , and ________________ .
Arguable Point Reason #1
Reason # Reason #3

15. Give Me an Example
Smoking should be illegal because it can kill you, can harm those around you, and it is addictive and difficult to stop once started.

16. #2: Body Paragraphs (3) Topic Sentence
Supporting Sentences (minimum 3)
Concluding Sentence

17. A) Topic Sentence
A topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about.
Use it to help remind the reader what your paper is trying to prove (thesis)
Ex.) One reason why schools should not enforce random locker checks is because it is an invasion of student privacy.

18. B) Supporting Sentences
This is where you give more information about your topic.
Ask yourself: How can I prove this is true? What examples can I give?
Minimum three supports per paragraph

19. C) Adding Quotes
According to movie analyst Kevin Jones in his novel Summer Blockbusters, “The Dark Knight sold more tickets in its opening weekend than any other movie in history” (Jones 252).
State quote exactly as you see it.
Use quotation marks to show it is borrowed words.
A parenthetical citation shows where the
information is from.
Give author and page number.
Punctuation follows citation.

20. D) Concluding Sentences
A concluding sentence explains what your paragraph is about.
Use as a bridge between paragraphs
Not only ________________________________ but __________________________________
does recycling help the environment
it is also a quick way to make extra money.

21. #3: Conclusion Paragraph
Restate thesis. Use new words (points in same order)
Summarize main points of essay. Remind reader what you said.
End with a lasting impression. Give reader something to think about after finishing essay.