Writing 5 Paragraph Essays
You will now be writing 5 paragraph essays. They have three types of paragraphs:
1. Introductory paragraph with thesis statement
2. Three Body paragraphs
3. Concluding paragraph
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1. Introductory Paragraph
THESIS STATEMENT! (Last
sentence of intro ¶)
2. 3 Body Paragraphs
3. Concluding Paragraph
Writing the Introductory Paragraph
Remember that all essays are arguments. The first paragraph in a longer essay introduces the reader to the
claim the author wishes to make in the argument, which is clearly stated in a THESIS STATEMENT at the end
of the first paragraph.
Introductory Paragraphs Usually Have Three Parts:
1. Captivating Opening Sentences
2. Build-up/Tie-in to Thesis Statement
3. Thesis Statement (with 3 part claim)
1. Attention-getting opening sentences
The first few sentences of your essay should be strong, clear, and creative. They should be
captivating—designed to grab the attention of your reader. Experts suggest that readers decide
whether or not to continue reading something after 11 seconds. Especially if you’re not writing
for a teacher, your first couple sentences are crucial. Asking a question is a great way to capture
an audience’s attention.
Ex: Prompt: Who should run the country? Why?
Old people have had their chance. Is it not time to try something new to help
this country? For two hundred years of American history, adults, usually men, have run the nation. They
decide American foreign policy and they decide when America uses its military. Young people should run the
country so that leaders will not die in office, better programs will be created for youth, and so that the U.S.
will not go to war so frequently.
2. Build-up/Tie-in to Thesis statement*
These sentences follow your opening sentences and connect them to the thesis statement that
will follow. *They are often important, but are not always necessary.
Ex:
For two
hundred years of American history, adults, usually men, have run the nation. They
decide American foreign policy and they decide when America uses its military. Young
Old people have had their chance. Is it not time to try something new to help this country?
people should run the country so that leaders will not die in office, better programs will be created for
youth, and so that the U.S. will not go to war so frequently.
3. The Thesis Statement
The thesis statement is spine of your essay. It is your answer to the prompt—the claim you will be
arguing for in the body paragraphs. When you sit down to write an essay, write your thesis
before doing anything else, then write the intro that will lead up to it. The Thesis Statement is
just like a Topic Sentence, but it comes at the END of the introductory paragraph (and, for now,
it will have three parts or reasons).
Ex:
Older people have had their chance. Is it not time to try something new to help this country? For two
hundred years of American history, older people, usually men, have run the nation. They decide American
foreign policy and they decide when America uses its military. Young people should run the
country so that (A) leaders will not die in office, (B) better programs will be
created for youth, and (C) so that the U.S. will not go to war so frequently.
Writing Body Paragraphs
O.k. So you’ve already stated what your position is in your thesis. Now, it’s time to support each part of
your three-part thesis in its own paragraph.
1. Topic Sentence
Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence that repeats one part of the threefold claim from
the thesis. It’s as easy as that, although it’s best to reword or elaborate upon the claim slightly.
Ex:
Rule by the young will curb a major problem that has often caused turmoil
throughout history: the death of leaders while still in office. Franklin Delano
Roosevelt died in office while America was fighting World War Two, which suddenly put Harry
Truman in the position of commander in chief of the allied forces. Though Harry Truman was an
experienced politician, this sudden advancement to the president caused disruption and doubt
because he did not have the same amount of experience conducting military affairs as FDR.
2. Supporting Evidence
To support the claim from the topic sentence (and ultimately the thesis), an essay needs
concrete evidence. This usually takes the form of a quote from a text, a detailed description
from a text, or the authoritative citation of a fact.
Ex:
Rule by the young will curb a major problem that has often caused turmoil throughout
history: the death of leaders while still in office. Franklin Delano Roosevelt died in office
while America was fighting World War Two, which suddenly put Harry Truman in
the position of commander in chief of the allied forces. Though Harry Truman was an
experienced politician, this sudden advancement to the president caused disruption and doubt
because he did not have the same amount of experience conducting military affairs as FDR.
3. Explanation
A good essay explains the evidence presented to ensure that it is clear to the reader. Do not
just present quotes or facts and assume it is obvious that they support the topic sentence.
Break them down and explain why they do so.
Ex:
Rule by the young will curb a major problem that has often caused turmoil throughout
history: the death of leaders while still in office. Franklin Delano Roosevelt died in office while
America was fighting World War Two, which suddenly put Harry Truman in the position of
commander in chief of the allied forces. Though Harry Truman was an experienced
politician, this sudden advancement to the president caused disruption and
doubt because he did not have the same amount of experience conducting
military affairs as FDR.
4. Repeat 2 & 3
More than one piece of evidence and explanation is usually needed to adequately support a
topic sentence. Do not be afraid to make body paragraphs long (7-8 sentence), or even to
split them up into more than one paragraph if the evidence and explanations get more
detailed and complex.
Writing the Concluding Paragraph
1. Restate your Thesis
For now, begin a concluding paragraph by re-presenting the thesis. Yes, it’s as easy as that.
However, reword the thesis to avoid sounding overly repetitive.
Ex:
The U.S. should be run by the young to reduce the number of deaths of
leaders while in office, to better shape policies for youth, and to reduce the
frequency with which the nation engages in wars. Historical analysis, statistical
evidence, and the opinions of foreign policy experts support this conclusion. This may strike the
current ruling class as unwise, and it is true such a state of affairs has rarely, if ever, happened at
a major governmental level. But perhaps we should rethink what it means to be “wise,” when the
wisdom of the old has caused many of the problems throughout history. Though rule by the young
would surely be unprecedented, it may not be unjustified.
2. Summarize the Arguments
Do NOT present new evidence to argue for the thesis. Instead, simply summarize the
evidence already presented in the body paragraphs.
Ex.
The U.S. should be run by the young to reduce the number of deaths of leaders while
in office, to better shape policies for youth, and to reduce the frequency with which the nation
engages in wars. Historical analysis, statistical evidence, and the opinions of
foreign policy experts support this conclusion. This may strike the current ruling class as
unwise, and it is true that such a state of affairs has rarely, if ever, happened at a major
governmental level. But perhaps we should rethink what it means to be “wise,” when the wisdom
of the old has caused many of the problems throughout history. Though rule by the young would
surely be unprecedented, it may not be unjustified.
3. Suggest Where/How Future Conversation about the Thesis might Go
Remember, the essay is almost over, so avoid discussing an entirely new topic. Do, however,
place the thesis within a broader context or indicate other items for further reflection.
Often, it is good to mention objections people might have to it.
Ex.
The U.S. should be run by the young to reduce the number of deaths of leaders while in
office, to better shape policies for youth, and to reduce the frequency with which the nation
engages in wars. Historical analysis, statistical evidence, and the opinions of foreign policy experts
support this conclusion. This may strike the current ruling class as unwise, and it is
true that such a state of affairs has rarely, if ever, happened at a major
governmental level. But perhaps we should rethink what it means to be “wise,”
when the wisdom of the old has caused many of the problems throughout
history. Though rule by the young would surely be unprecedented, it may not be
unjustified.
10 Steps to writing 5 paragraph essays:
1. Read the prompt closely. Read it again. Then, re-read it. Find out exactly what
it is asking for. Now, at this point, it will be a good idea to re-read the prompt.
2. ANSWER THE PROMPT in a three part THESIS STATEMENT
3. Write the topic sentences for your three body paragraphs. Each topic sentence
will reflect one of the parts (idea points) of your thesis)
4. Find evidence from the text (i.e. quotes) that support your topic sentences and
write down their page numbers
5. Think of an exciting way to introduce your thesis; then, put your thesis at the
end of that paragraph.
6. Write down your first topic sentence followed by your first piece of support
7. Explain your piece of support. When you are done presenting evidence and
explaining it, move on to the next topic sentence, give your evidence, explain
it, etc.
8. When done presenting and explaining all of the evidence for all of your topic
sentence, reword your thesis and make it the first sentence of a new
paragraph.
9. Summarize (but do not argue for) the support for the thesis.
10. Suggest the implications of the thesis or where more conversation about it
might lead.