How to write your 5
Paragraph Essay
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What are you going
to write about?
Your First Assignment:
An Autobiography
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This is not a creative writing
assignment-it is intended to
introduce you to a structured
method of writing that uses
source material, (facts, statistics,
and quotes) to support your ideas.
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There are 7 Types of
sentences found in an essay:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Attention grabber.
Mood or tone setter.
Thesis Statement.
Topic sentence.
Concrete detail.
Comment.
Conclusion.
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In the Introductory Paragraph:
1. Attention grabber.
2. Set the mood or tone.
(what is your attitude)
3. Thesis sentence.
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Attention grabber.
The first sentence should be a
general statement designed to
grab the reader’s attention.
Here are two examples:
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My life is very complicated.
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The second sentence sets
the mood or tone for the
paper.
• This sentence tells the reader what
your attitude is about the topic.
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Setting the mood or tone
These are some of the types of
•
•
•
•
emotions that you can express:
Enthusiasm
• Anger
Cheerfulness
• Fear
Conservatism • Grief
Boredom
• Apathy
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I have always been afraid when
my situation changes.
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There have been a lot of
exciting events in my life.
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Develop a
Thesis Statement
• A thesis is the main idea or point
of your paper.
• It is the last sentence of your
introductory paragraph.
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Attributes of a Thesis Statement
• It is argumentative or controversial.
• It is the controlling force for the rest of the
paper. The next paragraphs must relate to this
statement.
• The thesis statement is specific.
• The thesis statement is not a fact.
• The thesis statement is not a question.
• The thesis statement is not an announcement.
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My sixth birthday, jr. high
graduation, and the first week in
high school changed my
perception of the world.
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I remember the thoughts like:
how I went to school, what I did
at church and the day I came to
America
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Combine:
• Attention grabber
• Mood or tone setter
• Thesis Statement
To form your introductory
paragraph.
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An Introductory paragraph:
When I was young I always
thought the world revolved around
me. I have always been afraid
when my situation changes. My
sixth birthday, jr. high and my first
week of high school changed my
perception of the world.
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Another Introduction:
My life is very complicated.
There have been a lot of exciting
events in my life. I remember
thoughts like: how I went to
school, what I did at church, and
the day I came to America.
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You will write three body
paragraphs.
Body paragraphs start with
Topic sentences.
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• A topic sentence tells the reader what
you are talking about in the
paragraph.
• It must be related to the thesis
statement.
• Unless you are making a
comparison, it must be in agreement
with the mood or tone in the
introduction.
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Topic sentences are followed
by Concrete Details.
Concrete details are:
1. Facts :
“There are an equal number of freshman
boys and girls in this school.”
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2. Statistics:
“There are 547 boys in
the freshman class.”
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3. Quotes:
Mr.Thomas said, “This is
the most intelligent
group of freshman
English students that I
have ever seen.”
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Important note
Quotes are both:
The things that a person says in a story:
• "Don't talk rot, Whitney," said
Rainsford. "You're a big-game
hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares
how a jaguar feels?"
AND
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For our purpose
a quote is also:
• Information that you take from a
source, that agrees with the mood or
tone of your paper, and is proof or
evidence that supports your thesis and
topic sentences.
For example…..
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This is a quote that supports a
description of a characters
hearing ability:
An abrupt sound startled him. Off to the
right he heard it, and his ears, expert in
such matters, could not be mistaken.
Again he heard the sound, and again.
Somewhere, off in the blackness,
someone had fired a gun three times.
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To use this information in your
paper you put the “quote marks”
around the information, and add
(authors last name and page
number).
“Off to the right he heard it, and his
ears, expert in such matters, could
not be mistaken” (Connell p.3).
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Comments
• Writing commentary means giving
your opinion, interpretation,
analysis, personal reactions,
feelings, or reflections about the
topic.
• BUT….
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• Your comments must tell the
reader why, or how, the evidence
that you presented as a concrete
detail, supports your topic
sentence, thesis statement, and is in
agreement with the mood or tone
of your paper.
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Commentary may start like this:
•
•
•
•
•
This event effected……
For example ……
As an illustration…..
In addition ……
Because of Rainsford’s excellent hearing
ability ……
• This leads to……
• When this occurred ……
• Furthermore ……(more phrases later)
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Concluding Sentence
The concluding sentences of your
body paragraphs should either:
• Summarize the importance of the
information in the paragraph,
or
• Use that information as a
transition to the next topic.
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Words and phrases that work for
comments and concluding sentences:
• If you want to continue an idea:
Additionally, again, also, besides, equally
important, further, furthermore, in addition,
finally.
• If you want to show a time relationship
(chronological or process):
Afterward, at this point, eventually, finally,
meanwhile, next, presently, previously.
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If you are using
comparative advantage:
• To make a comparison:
Also, basically, in the same manner
(fashion), like, likewise, similarly, too.
• To contrast:
Although, and yet, but, conversely, even
though, however, on the contrary, on the
other hand, never the less, still.
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• If you are showing cause and effect:
As a result, consequently, for this reason,
moreover, therefore, thus, so.
• If you are showing a spatial relationship:
In this (or other) location, at the same time in
(another location), this event also occurred.
• If you are doing an analysis:
This piece (part, event, situation), this relates
to, with out this part.
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• To emphasize a point:
Again, as a matter of fact, as a result, indeed,
in fact.
• In your Concluding Sentence, to
summarize:
For the most part, for these reasons, in other
words, in short, on the whole.
• To make a transition:
As a result, for these reasons, therefore, as a
consequence, as a result.
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Conclusion
• Your conclusion should be 3-5
sentences long.
• Tell the reader how your evidence
supported your thesis.
• Leave the readers with a statement,
quote, or question that will make
them remember and think about
your paper.
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Tips for your concluding paragraph.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Briefly summarize your main points.
Ask a thoughtful question.
Use a quotation.
Call for an action.
End with a warning.
Show that this is a universal theme.
Refer to the introductory paragraph
with key words, or parallel concepts
and images.
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Avoid these in your
conclusion:
•
•
•
•
Repeating your thesis.
Introducing a new idea or subject.
Focusing on minor points.
Do not apologize for your view.
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Your First Assignment:
An Autobiography
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The first step is to create a
mind map,web diagram, so that
you can start organizing your
thoughts.
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Sports
Football
Mind Map
Jr. High
Track
Graduation
6th Birthday
Stu Dent
My cousin
Presents
Friends
Friends
Family
High School
Teachers
Classmates
Tom
Ron
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Think about the type of
organization that you are going to
use in your essay:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Spatial
Chronological
Process
Analysis
Cause and Effect
Comparative Advantage
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Select the best topics from your
web and create a basic outline :
1. 6th Birthday
a. Presents
b. Friends
2. Jr. High
a. Graduation
b. My cousin
3. High School
a. Teachers
b. Classmates
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The Expanded Outline:
fill in every sentence
Introduction:
a. Attention grabber
b. Set mood or tone
c. Thesis Statement
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All 3 of the body paragraphs
follow this format:
a. Topic sentence
b. Concrete Detail
c. Comment
d. Comment
e. Concrete Detail
f. Comment
g. Comment
h. Concluding sentence
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Fill in the expanded outline in
this order:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Tone or mood sentence
Thesis Statement
Topic Sentences
Concrete Details
Comments
Concluding Sentences
Attention Grabber
Concluding Paragraph
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Assemble your Autobiography
1. Make a cover page.
2. Include:
a. Mind map.
b. Brief outline
c. Extended outline.
3. Your 5 paragraph essay.
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The Second Assignment:
• Briefly, give a physical
description of your character.
• Write a 5 paragraph essay
discussing your character.
• Include information that lets the
reader know what the character
says, does, thinks, and what the
other characters say about him.
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You will be assigned one of the
two main characters in
“The Most Dangerous Game”
Answer the following writing prompt
for your character:
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Sanger Rainsford
• Discuss Rainsford’s transition
from hunter to huntee; has his
attitude about hunting changed in
this story?
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General Zaroff
• Discuss Zaroff’s game, and how
he plays the game with Rainsford.
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After listening to the story go to the
web site to collect your research.
Connell, Richard The Most Dangerous
Game
Web site:
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/shortstories/UBooks/MosDan.shtml
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You will list all of the events that
relate to your character.
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What is your attitude about the
topic?
• Do you agree with the characters
attitude?
• How do you feel about his actions?
• Do other characters feel the same way
as you do about your character?
• Would you have reacted differently
than your character?
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Collect your Ideas on a Mind
Map
Is afraid of
being hunted
The most
Is a good
hunter
Dangerous
Game:
Rainsford
Thinks that
Zaroff is a
murderer
Zaroff
plays with
him
Rainsford
turns the
tables
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Collect your research
materials
• These will be the concrete details
for your essay.
• To do that:
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In the text you will find
information that you can use in
your essay:
"Nonsense," laughed Rainsford. "This hot weather is making
you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two
classes - the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are
hunters. Do you think we've passed that island yet?"
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Cut and paste that information from
your source to your disk or file.
Be sure to cite the source.
(author, page #).
• “The world is made up of two
classes - the hunters and the huntees.
Luckily, you and I are hunters”
(Connell p.1).
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Complete an event worksheet of
at least four main events from
your mind map.
Collect quotes that describe:
•What the character says.
•What the character does.
•What the character thinks.
•What others say or think about the character.
(this could give you up to 16 quotes)
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Begin your Introduction
Answer these questions:
1. What is you or your character’s
feeling about the story and the
assigned question? (mood or tone)
2. List three important things that
support your feelings. (events,
things the character says, does,
thinks, or others say about him.)
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Make a Basic Outline
Rainsford
1. Is a Hunter
2. Is afraid of being hunted
3. Turns the tables on Zaroff
(you should have at least two quotes from
your event worksheet to support each
of these three points)
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Write your Thesis Sentence
Be sure to include the three ideas that you
came up with in the last step, in your
sentence.
Example:
Always the hunter, Rainsford
overcomes the fear of being hunted
to emerge as the victor in Zaroff’s
dangerous game.
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To support this thesis you must:
• Show Rainsford’s original attitude about
hunting.
• Tell about the times he was afraid of
being hunted.
• Show how he overcomes that fear by
becoming the hunter again.
Do this by using quotes about things the
character says, does, thinks or by what
others say about him.
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Fill in the expanded outline in
this order:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Tone or mood sentence
Thesis Statement
Topic Sentences
Concrete Details
Comments
Concluding Sentences
Attention Grabber
Concluding Paragraph
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Tips for when you get writers block:
• Move on and fill in a different type of
sentence.
• Replace the concrete detail with a more
thought provoking one. (this is why you
should have gathered more quotes than you
need)
• Rearrange the details to make more sense.
• Re-read your notes on how to write an essay.
• Look at the words and phrases to help you
write your sentences.
• Go get something to eat and come back in a
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½ hour.
Assemble your project:
1. Make a cover page.
2. Include:
a. Event list
b. Event worksheet
c. Mind map.
d. Extended outline.
e. Description of your character.
3. Your 5 paragraph essay.
4. Works cited.
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The Best Sport in the World
An analysis of Sanger Rainsford
By Stu Dent
English 9
3rd period
11/21/00
Mr. Bedford, Instructor
Hiram W. Johnson High School
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Create your Works Cited
Book: Connell, Richard “The Most Dangerous
Game” Elements of Literature. Third Course.
Ed. Richard Sime. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and
Winston, 2000. 13-28
Web site: Connell, Richard The Most
Dangerous Game [available on-line]
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/shortstories/UBooks/MosDan.shtml 11/18/00
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The
End
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