5 Paragraph Essay
* Introduction
* Body
* Conclusion
Paragraph 1
Introduction Requirements
* Attention Getter
* Bridge
* Thesis
Sample Topic
* Pride in “The Scarlet Ibis” and “The Golden
Kite, The Silver Wind”
Part 1--ATTENTION GETTER
Q: How do you grab one’s attention?
ANSWERS:
•
•
•
Definition
Relevant quote
Ask a question
Examples
•
Pride is defined as……………
•
powerful Hitler once described pride as
“…….”
•
Is it possible to possess a trait that is both
positive and negative or helpful and
harmful?
Part 2--BRIDGE
Q: What is the purpose of a bridge?
* Tie the attention-getter to thesis-whole
paragraph must have flow and fluency
* Introduce titles and authors
* An introduction without a bridge makes it
difficult to see connection between attentiongetter and thesis
Sample Bridge
Two very diverse stories, “The Scarlet
Ibis” by James Hurst and “The Golden
Kite, The Silver Wind” by Ray Bradbury,
clearly provide an answer to that question.
Sample Introduction so far…..
Is it possible to possess a trait that is both
positive and negative or helpful and harmful? Two
very diverse stories, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James
Hurst and “The Golden Kite, The Silver Wind” by
Ray Bradbury, clearly provide an answer to that
question.
(Introduced stories and tied in attention getter
Will also link attention getter to part 3, thesis.)
PART 3--THESIS
Q: What is a thesis, and why do I need one?
•
A thesis is a very specific statement that
your whole essay tries to prove.
•
A clear thesis keeps you focused on your
topic and your reader (me) very happy. :-)
Thesis
Q: How do I write a successful, clear thesis
statement?
A+B+C=
Clear, successful, focused thesis!
Thesis Formula
A=Topic
B=Opinion (without using “I”)
C=Examples
Topic + Opinion + Examples =
THESIS
Sample Thesis
A=Topic ----Pride
B=Opinion----is presented as a wonderful and
awful human characteristic that changes the
outcomes of many people’s lives
C=Reasons or Examples---both stories portray
the power of pride
Sample Thesis
Pride (A) is presented as a wonderful
and horrible human characteristic that
positively and negatively changes the lives
of the characters (B) in both of these stories
(C) . Additionally, these stories successfully
answer the question above that there is such
a human trait that can lead to achievements
never thought imaginable or to the darkest
depths of humankind.
Sample Introduction
Is it possible to possess a trait that is both positive
and negative or helpful and harmful? Two very diverse
stories, “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst and “The
Golden Kite, The Silver Wind” by Ray Bradbury, clearly
provide an answer to that question. In both of these stories
(C) Pride (A) is presented as a wonderful and awful human
trait that positively and negatively changes the lives of the
characters (B). Additionally, these two stories successfully
answer the question above that there is such a human trait
that can lead to achievements never thought imaginable or
to the darkest depths of humankind.
Quick Review
1.
Attention getter--definition, quote, question
2.
Bridge--introduce authors and story titles,
connect AG to thesis. Fluency and flow of
paragraph
3.
Thesis--Topic + Opinion + Examples
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!!!
You try and write your introductory
paragraph. Remember, you must use all 3
parts of an introduction and a close version
of the thesis statement formula.
This isn’t easy, but you can do it.
GOOD LUCK! HAPPY WRITING!
Body Paragraphs
Requirements
* Topic Sentences
* Supporting Details
* Concluding sentence at end of each paragraph
Topic Sentences--part 1
•
Must start all body paragraphs with a topic
sentence that relates to your examples or reasons
that were included in your thesis statement.
•
Possibly use transition words.
•
Topic sentences do not include any details.
Good vs. Bad
Good topic sentence:
Symbolism is a critical aspect in “The Golden
Kite, The Silver Wind,” and the two main
symbols are the mandarins and the walls.
Bad topic sentence:
The mandarins are symbols and represent the
leaders of the US and USSR.
Support--part 2
Prove your opinion (given in your thesis
statement)
•
•
•
Use multiple sentences
Use multiple examples
Be sure you connect all examples to thesis
Concluding sentence--part 3
End each body paragraph with a statement or
question that reclaims/restates/reaffirms the
points you just made but without only
summarizing. (Be forceful)
Sample Body Paragraph
Symbolism is a critical aspect in “The Golden
Kite, The Silver Wind,” and the two main symbols are
the mandarins and the walls. Even though the main
characters are Chinese leaders, since this story is an
allegory, they are actually symbolic of the leaders of the
United States and Russia. During the Cold War, the
leaders of the US and Russia made all the calls as to
how to make their county more powerful. In this story,
that is the same function of the mandarins. The
mandarins make all the decisions as to how make their
village more powerful than the other. Another
important symbol in this story is the walls, and ……
(details about walls). Without these symbols, this story
would only be literal, the the story would lose its
classification as an allegory.
Quick Review
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Topic sentences
Support and examples
Use of transitions
Bold restatement of the ideas in just the
paragraph you finished. It should relate to
thesis too!
Ideas should be fluent and focused!!
Writing Conclusions
A Conclusion should……
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Stress the importance of the thesis statement.
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Give the essay a sense of completeness.
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Leave a final impression on the leader.
Conclusion-Part 1
* Re-state thesis with stronger but different
language (than your original thesis).
Example: Pride. It can take us to the highest
of humanity or to the depths of darkness.
Conclusion-Part 2
* Briefly mention and apply stories to main topic.
Example:
The narrator’s pride led Doodle to unfathomable
heights but later to his death, and the mandarins’
pride first led their towns to destruction but
eventually took them to great prosperity.
Conclusion-Part 3
* Extend a meaning from story to a present-day
meaning.
Example:
Pride is always going to be a part of everyone’s lives. No
matter if it is in a remote Chinese village or a small town in
Cincinnati, Ohio, all humankind should be cognizant of the
powerful power of pride, and we should always be careful
to not allow pride get the best of us.
Pride. It can take us to the highest of humanity or
to the depths of darkness. The narrator’s pride led
Doodle to unfathomable heights but later to his
death, and the mandarins’ pride first led their
towns to destruction but eventually took them to
great prosperity. Pride is always going to be a part
of everyone’s lives. No matter if it is in a remote
Chinese village or a small town in Cincinnati,
Ohio, all humankind should be cognizant of the
tremendous power of pride, and we should always
be careful to not allow pride get the best of us.
Conclusion Review
•
•
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Re-state thesis with stronger but different
language (than your original thesis).
Briefly mention main topic and apply to
stories.
Extend a meaning from story to a presentday meaning.
5 Paragraph Essay Review
* Introduction
-Attention-getter, bridge, thesis
* Body
- Topic sentences, supporting details,
concluding sentences
* Conclusion
- Re-state thesis, reconnect to story, connect to
present day society