1. Five Paragraph Essay Format A review of the format required for PSSA writing and for all papers in this class.

2. Part I: Introduction It is very important that the following are included in the correct order if you want to compose a strong introduction: 1. Hook 2. Background Information 3. Thesis Statement

3. Hook One or two sentences One or two sentences Gets the reader’s attention Gets the reader’s attention Different options for composing a hook: Different options for composing a hook: Question (What would the world be like if…?) Question (What would the world be like if…?) Statistic (Each year, 1 million Americans …) Statistic (Each year, 1 million Americans …) Strong statement (It is obvious that something needs to be done about …) Strong statement (It is obvious that something needs to be done about …) Imagine if (Imagine if someone would …) Imagine if (Imagine if someone would …) Quote (Abraham Lincoln once said, “…) Quote (Abraham Lincoln once said, “…) Anything else that you feel will catch the reader’s attention Anything else that you feel will catch the reader’s attention

4. Background Information Usually 3 sentences Usually 3 sentences Gives your reader the information necessary to understand your topic before you go into your body and begin providing detailed support Gives your reader the information necessary to understand your topic before you go into your body and begin providing detailed support Provide the reader with anything you feel will help clarify your topic (pretend they know nothing about your topic). Provide the reader with anything you feel will help clarify your topic (pretend they know nothing about your topic).

5. Thesis Statement Only One sentence Only One sentence Basis for your entire paper Basis for your entire paper Tells the reader three things: Tells the reader three things: Subject: what you will be writing about Subject: what you will be writing about Position: how you feel about the issue/topic Position: how you feel about the issue/topic Reasons: three reasons why you feel the way you do about the topic (these reasons will be supported in the Body of your paper…) Reasons: three reasons why you feel the way you do about the topic (these reasons will be supported in the Body of your paper…) Ex. Extending the school year is a bad idea because _______, _______, and _______.

6. Body 3 paragraphs 3 paragraphs Supports the 3 reasons given in the thesis statement (one paragraph for each reason) Supports the 3 reasons given in the thesis statement (one paragraph for each reason) Must begin each paragraph with a topic sentence introducing reason that will be supported in the paragraph Must begin each paragraph with a topic sentence introducing reason that will be supported in the paragraph Must end with a transition introducing the next reason Must end with a transition introducing the next reason

7. Conclusion Restate thesis statement in an original manner Restate thesis statement in an original manner (Do not use your thesis statement word for word from the introduction, but keep statement to one sentence) Summarize main points of your paper Summarize main points of your paper (usually 3 sentences) Leave a lasting impression Leave a lasting impression Give reader something to remember or think about – Ex. pose question, call to action, quote Give reader something to remember or think about – Ex. pose question, call to action, quote Can use some of the same methods as the hook Can use some of the same methods as the hook

8. Avoiding First Person Avoid the use of first person pronouns in your writing Avoid the use of first person pronouns in your writing Ex. I, me, my, you, your, we, us, our Ex. I, me, my, you, your, we, us, our There is always a way around using a first person pronoun. There is always a way around using a first person pronoun. Ex. Instead of saying “you must …”, say “one must” Ex. Instead of saying “you must …”, say “one must” Or if you find yourself using “one” to frequently, try using “individuals” or “people” Or if you find yourself using “one” to frequently, try using “individuals” or “people”

9. Tiger’s Heart Essay Assignment Is Pepe an admirable character? Consider his dealings with the villagers, his ability as a hunter, and his final decision. Is Pepe an admirable character? Consider his dealings with the villagers, his ability as a hunter, and his final decision. Pick a side. You either think he’s admirable or he’s not admirable. Pick a side. You either think he’s admirable or he’s not admirable. Each of your body paragraphs will relate to one of the three reasons from your thesis statement. Each of your body paragraphs will relate to one of the three reasons from your thesis statement. Your reasons will be related to his dealings with the villagers, his ability as a hunter, and his final decision. Your reasons will be related to his dealings with the villagers, his ability as a hunter, and his final decision.

10. Scarlet Ibis Essay Options In a five paragraph essay … In a five paragraph essay … -answer the essential question: Why do we hurt the ones we love? (in relation to The Scarlet Ibis) Weave personal examples and examples from the story into your answer. -reveal three examples of the foreshadowing of Doodle’s death (other than the death of the ibis). Explain these examples in depth.

11. Essay Assignment Essay Assignment Begin by constructing your thesis statement Begin by constructing your thesis statement Ex. Pepe is an admirable character because he is able to get sufficient payment from the villagers for his work, he is a skilled hunter and tracker, and he retains his power by blowing open the machete wound with his rifle. Ex. Pepe is an admirable character because he is able to get sufficient payment from the villagers for his work, he is a skilled hunter and tracker, and he retains his power by blowing open the machete wound with his rifle. Then construct your hook and background information Then construct your hook and background information Remember to correctly order the elements in your introduction (Hook, Background, Thesis) Remember to correctly order the elements in your introduction (Hook, Background, Thesis)