5 Paragraph Essay
Outline
Part I
Paragraph 1: Introductory
Paragraph
Your introduction must include the following:
O An opening statement
 Try to begin your essay with an opening
statement that captures the reader’s
attention and makes them want to read
more.
 Example:
The Allies were convinced that the German
position on the ridge was invincible but the
Canadians would quickly prove them wrong.
Paragraph 1: Introduction
O Thesis Statement
 You must include a thesis statement in your
introduction.
 It is the focus of your essay. It tells the reader
what to expect from the rest of the essay.
 is usually a single sentence somewhere in your
first paragraph that presents your argument to the
reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the
essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will
persuade the reader of the logic of your
interpretation. In other words, it tells the reader
what you are going to “prove”.
Introductory Paragraph
Continued
O Your three subtopics
 You must introduce your subtopics in your
introduction.
 It tells the reader how you are going to prove
your thesis.
 Don’t give too much information about your
subtopics in your introduction. Save it for the
body of your essay.
Examples:
 Canadians planned, commanded, and executed the entire
attack on Vimy Ridge.
 The new strategies and new technologies that Canadians
used to execute the invasion of Vimy Ridge were the reasons
for the success of the attack and changed the way wars
would be fought.
 Canadians captured the ridge from the Germans after the
failure of other nations and, as a result, Vimy Ridge marked
the birth of Canada as a strong and independent nation.
Introductory Paragraph
Continued
O Historical Setting
 In a history essay, you should give a historical
setting fact in your introduction to let the
reader know what time period your essay is
about.
Example:
The capture of Vimy Ridge by Canadian forces
in World War I was the most significant
defining moment in Canadian history.
Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4:
Development
O In a 5 paragraph essay, you should have 3
subtopics (arguments, main points) to
support/prove your thesis. More than that and
your essay will be unfocused, less than that
means you will not be able to successfully
support/prove your thesis.
O In a history essay, your subtopics should be
arranged in chronological order or you could
arrange it with a strong point at the beginning, a
weaker point in the middle, and your strongest
point at the end. You decide what works best for
your essay.
Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4:
Development
O Begin with a topic sentence to let the reader
know what that paragraph is about (the subtopic
you will be talking about in that paragraph).
Example:
Allied forces had attempted to capture Vimy Ridge
from German forces but were unsuccessful using
traditional tactics but Canadians used alternative
plans that would prove to be a brilliant and highly
successful strategy.
Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4:
Development
O Use evidence/facts to support your
subtopic/argument. In other words, use
history to prove your point.
Examples:
• Troops built a full-scale model of Vimy Ridge
and practiced again and again so everyone
knew exactly what they needed to do
• Every soldier was given a copy of a map of
Vimy Ridge and were made aware of the plan
Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4: Body
of Essay
O Before moving on to the next subtopic, you must
end your paragraph with a statement that sums
up the subtopic you discussed in your paragraph
and connects it back to your thesis.
Example:
Due to the thorough planning, dedication, and
bravery of the Canadian soldiers, Canada was able
to capture Vimy Ridge making this the most
important defining moment in the history of the
nation.
Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4: Body
of Essay
O Do the same thing for each of your three
body paragraphs.
Paragraph 5: Conclusion
O You must restate your
thesis and your subtopics
in your thesis.
Paragraph 5: Concluding
Paragraph
O Try to end your essay with a statement that
leaves the reader with some “food for
thought”. In other words, leave them with
something to reflect upon or think about.
Example:
It is difficult to imagine a more significant
event in our history than Vimy Ridge. What
other event could have contributed as much to
making Canada the strong and independent
country that it is today?
O This is a formal essay so please do not use the first
person tense (I, me, my, etc.)
O Avoid using contractions (Don’t, can’t, isn’t, etc.)
O Do not use slang (Compared to the Canadian
soldiers, the German soldiers sucked.)
O Be sure to provide all of the essential information and
leave out information that is not relevant to your
thesis (For example, General Currie’s shoe size
doesn’t prove that Vimy Ridge was a defining moment
in Canadian history but his strategies do)