Five-Paragraph Essay
Writing
Introduction

The introduction of an essay is broken
up into three components:
◦ Hook
◦ Background Information
◦ Thesis Statement
Each component should relate to each
other in some way.
 The introduction is the first paragraph
your reader will see, so you need to
draw in the reader.

The Hook
Hooks are used to grab the reader’s
attention.
 Hooks should be at least THREE
sentences in length.
 Avoid mentioning characters’ names in
the hook.

Types of Hooks
Similes/metaphors
 Imagery
 In the middle of the scene
 Figurative language
 Quote
 Definition
 Music lyrics
 Questions
 Fact

Background Information
Background information of an essay is the
information the reader needs to know
about the topic you are writing. (EX: If
your paper is about a novel, you need to
provide information about the novel)
 Your background information needs to
relate to the hook and the topic of your
paper.

Background Information

EX: If you write about a specific theme,
provide information about the setting to
relate to the theme.
◦ (Theme: Characters create their own
tragedies.
(Background: Sula takes place in a Ohio where
the town is split into two sections: the
wealthier white community and the poorer
black community)
◦ How do the two relate?
Thesis Statement
The thesis statement acts as a roadmap
for your paper.
 The thesis statement is usually the last
sentence of an introduction paragraph.
 The thesis statement is usually one
sentence in length.

Thesis Statement

The thesis statement has three
components:
◦ S-subject of your paper
◦ I-interpretation of the subject
◦ P-proof of interpretation
Subject: novel
Interpretation:
Theme
EX: Shakespeare writes the theme love
conquers all in Romeo and Juliet through
dialogue, figurative language, and mood.
Proof: Three items
Thesis Statement

EX: Shakespeare writes the theme love
conquers all in Romeo and Juliet through
dialogue, figurative language, and mood.

The three items (proof) at the end of
your thesis statement will serve as your
three support paragraphs.
Thesis Statement

EX: Shakespeare writes the theme love
conquers all in Romeo and Juliet through
dialogue, figurative language, and mood.

Support Paragraph 1= Dialogue to prove theme
Support Paragraph 2= Figurative language to
prove theme
Support Paragraph 3= Mood to prove theme


Group Practice
Group 1= In the middle of the scene
 Group 2= Simile/Metaphor
 Group 3= Question
 Group 4= Definition
 Group 5= Quote
 Group 6=Music lyrics


Write a hook using the assigned type.
Questions for Background
Information
--Who/what is the paper about?
 --How does the subject relate the to the
topic of the paper?
 --Where does the story take place?
 --How does the setting relate to the topic
of the paper?
 --What is a key scene/theme to relate to
paper?
 Any other questions we could add?

Background Information Issues

In groups, work on the following issues:
◦ Are all questions answered?
◦ Putting items in order of importance and
structure. EX: Characters should probably be
mentioned closer to the beginning of the
background information
◦ Repeating Words/phrases
◦ Explaining vague statements
◦ Word choice—stronger diction
◦ Not revealing too much in the background
information about specific events in the story.
Examples

Eva is the mother and grandmother in Sula
by Toni Morrison. Sula takes place between
1919 and 1965 in Medallion, Ohio when
blacks were not treated the same as white
people. Sula Peace and Nel Wright are two
main characters. They are best friends but
act the opposite and when they grow up
they go their separate ways and Sula betrays
Nel. Their emotions tear them apart
until the end.
Examples

In the novel Sula there are two girls named
Nel and Sula. The novel is written by Toni
Morrison and takes place in Medallion, Ohio
during the 1900s. In the 1900s blacks were
very poor and whites had some money.
There were a lot of tragedies and several
miscommunications. Nel and Sula were truly
inseparable. After an event took place Nel
really noticed that they were truly friends no
matter what they’ve been through.
Background Notes Continued
Toni Morrison is a woman
 Sula should be italicized when typing and
underlined when writing
 Don’t change from past to present tense
with verbs

Thesis Statement

What is the purpose of a video game
controller?
Thesis Statement
The thesis statement controls, or guides, the
reader through your paper—similar to how a
control guides the character through the
game.
 The three components of your thesis
statement outline your entire paper.
 Without a clear thesis statement, your paper/
writing loses focus.

Thesis Statement

William Shakespeare proves the theme
love conquers all.
What is wrong with the following thesis
statement?
 How can we improve this thesis
statement?

Topic Sentences
The topic sentence identifies the main
idea of the paragraph.
 A topic sentence states the point the
writer wishes to make about that subject.
 The topic sentence appears at the
beginning of the paragraph.

Topic Sentences
A topic sentence must be general enough
that the reader can understand the
paragraph’s main point.
 A topic sentence; however, needs to be
specific enough to understand the
paragraph’s main point.

Sula Topic Sentence Example

In Toni Morrison’s Sula, the author
displays the theme emotions can
overwhelm a person through characters’
actions, speech, and acquaintances.
◦ What will my first topic sentence talk about?
◦ Why?
Topic Sentence Example

The theme of overwhelming emotions is
displayed through characters’ actions.
Topic Sentence Review

What is wrong with the following topic
sentence?
◦ Death occurs in Sula multiple times.
◦ How can we better this topic sentence?
Transitions
Transitions glue our ideas together in our
essays.
 Transitions help make connections
between sentences, paragraphs, and
sections of your paper.
 Transitions tell the reader what to do
with the information you present to them.

Transitions

How to decide if a transition is necessary:
◦ Your writing is choppy, jumpy, doesn’t flow, or
ideas don’t relate together
◦ Readers have trouble following your ideas
Transitions

Transitions within paragraphs:
◦ Cue the reader to anticipate what is going to
happen before he or she reads your piece.
Transitions within paragraphs ten to be single
words or short phrases.
Transition Example

The theme of overwhelming emotions is
displayed through characters’ actions.
Characters’ responses and actions are
based on intuition. (This will be your first
quote).
◦ Your transition sentence is the connecting
glue between your topic sentence and your
first quote).
Citing Quotes Within a Paper

The first time you mention the author
and a page number, you will cite the quote
the following way:
◦ “The water darkened and closed quickly over
the place where Chicken Little sank”
(Morrison 61).
Citing Quotes Within a Paper

The second time, and during the rest of
the paper, you only need to provide the
page number if it is the same source!
◦ “Joined in mutual admiration they watched
each day as though it were a movie arranged
for their amusement” (55).
Introductory Phrases

Before you begin your quote, you should use
an introductory phrase.

Introductory phrases provide background
information or set the stage for your
quote.

If your quote describes someone speaking,
state this for your reader.
◦ EX: Eva watched her a moment and then
said, “You gone can them?” (68).
Introductory Phrases

Example without an introductory phrase:
◦ Eva was “annoyed at her physical condition”
(Morrison 46).

Example with an introductory phrase:
After she had her leg cut off to help
her family financially, Eva was
“annoyed at her physical condition”
(Morrison 46).
Explaining the Quote

After you set up and use your quote in
your writing, you need to explain how the
quote relates to your topic sentence.

**Remember, you’re a lawyer trying to
prove your case, so everything you say
needs to go back to your point.
Closing Sentence
The closing sentence is the last sentence
in the paragraph.
 It restates the main idea.
 The closing sentence also expands a
writer’s thesis.
