The Basic Five Paragraph Essay
THE STRUCTURE
THE INTRODUCTION
-State the essay's purpose.
-Indicate the topics or questions in the order you
are going to examine them.
-State your thesis (what you are going to prove.)
PARAGRAPHS TWO TO FOUR
-Use a separate paragraph for each main sub-topic or
argument.
-In each of these paragraphs state the supporting
arguments and facts that relate to the sub-topic.
-Be certain to connect each sub-topic or argument to
your overall thesis.
-Sometimes an effective way of handling a topic is to
present an argument from the other side and then
provide reasons and facts to show why this argument
is not valid.
THE CONCLUSION
-Sum up all of your main arguments so that your
thesis is clear. Use about one sentence for
each sub-topic that is being summed up.
-As a final point, build on your thesis by applying
it the present on near future. (i.e. So what?)
AN EXAMPLE: The Causes of Confederation
Why did Confederation occur? During the 1860's there were
defence problems and political reasons that encouraged the
British North American colonists to unite. The main reason
Canada was formed, however, was the pressure of economic
circumstances and opportunities.
In the 1860's America seemed to threaten British North
America. The United States wanted revenge for Britain's
support of the South in the Civil War. Some Americans felt
that the annexation of Canada would be a good way to do this.
Alone each colony was weak, but united they would better be
able to defend themselves. Britain no longer wanted the cost
of defending the colonies. The only solution seemed to be to
pool the resources of the colonies by becoming one nation.
Political deadlock in the Canadas was also an important cause.
For a decade no political party could secure a stable majority.
Bill after bill was defeated and government ground to a halt.
Confederation united the two opposing parties in a common
goal of achieving a nation and broke the political impasse.
The economic motives for Confederation were even more
attractive. If the colonies became one nation, tariffs would
be removed and trade would increase. As one nation the
colonies could afford to complete the Intercolonial Railway
giving the Canadas an ice-free port in the Maritimes and a
transportation system that would generally encourage trade.
As a nation the colonies could absorb the West and gain the
vast riches and lands of that region for future Canadians.
These were reasons for Confederation that both workers and
owners understood, and could support most readily.
Confederation was caused by a desire to improve defences by
uniting. Unity would also end the political deadlock by bringing
parties together. The main cause, however, was the wish of
many Canadians to reap the economic benefits in trade,
transportation and the West. If it becomes uneconomical for
Canada to stay together in the future, will it fall apart?