WRITING A FORMAL
5 PARAGRAPH ESSAY
PARAGRAPH #1-INTRODUCTION
(3-5 sentences)
 Grab your reader’s attention
 State facts and/or interesting points
relevant to your topic
 Provide a thesis statement—This is your
last sentence in your introduction & tells
your reader what 3 main points you will
argue in each body paragraph. These 3
points should be in the same order they
will appear in each body paragraph.
EXAMPLE OF A THESIS STATEMENT:
 Through use of the sound devices
insert argument #1, insert
argument #2 and insert argument
#3, Alfred Noyes adds meaning to
his poem “The Highwayman.”
PARAGRAPH #2-BODY #1:
(8-10 sentences)
 Start with an opening sentence, which should
introduce argument #1.
 Cite 3 text examples which all support your argument
#1, and thoroughly explain HOW each text example
supports your argument. (ex. “In the text,
_________________________. This adds meaning to
the poem because _________________
________________________________________________
_________.”)
 End each body paragraph with a closing sentence.
Here, you should emphasize why your argument #1 is
so important to the overall text. i.e., sell your
argument!
PARAGRAPH #3-BODY #2:
(8-10 sentences)
 Repeat the steps for body
paragraph #1, except now
you are arguing your second
point.
PARAGRAPH #4-BODY #3:
(8-10 sentences)
 Repeat the steps for body
paragraph #1, except now
you are arguing your second
point.
PARAGRAPH #5-CONCLUSION
(ALMOST DONE!!!)
 Restate the main ideas/ the most
important ideas of your essay.
 This is your last chance to add any
last minute, interesting points-what
do you want your reader to take
away?
 Restate your thesis (in different
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND…
 NEVER use the word “I”
 Do not repeat yourself. Instead,
paraphrase if you’re trying to reemphasize
a point.
 Do not bore your reader, because they’re
the one scoring you!
 ALWAYS provide at least 3 text examples,
and thoroughly explain HOW the text
examples support what you are trying to
argue.
LET’S BEGIN BY BRAINSTORMING!
 Your assignment is to discuss how Alfred Noyes uses
sound devices to enhance his poem, “The
Highwayman.”
 First, choose 3 sound devices that he uses in the poem.
 Here are the sound devices to choose from:
onomatopoeia, alliteration, repetition, ryhme,
rhythm.
 After choosing your 3 sound devices, find 3 examples
of each in the poem and explain how each example
enhances the poem. In other words, how does each
example help you, the reader, understand the poem
better? Explain thoroughly!