How to Write an Essay
Your Handy Dandy Guide to Organizing a
Proper 5 Paragraph Essay
What is an Essay?
A basic essay consists of three main
parts:
INTRODUCTION
3 BODY PARAGRAPHS
A CONCLUSION
The Introduction
• The introduction guides the reader into your paper by
grabbing attention and introducing the topic.
• Make sure to introduce your topic, main idea or thesis
statement, which the entire essay will connect
• The concluding sentence in an introduction should transition
into the next paragraph
The Thesis Statement
 A thesis statement is simply an argument that you are going
to prove in your essay.
 This statement is the central and unifying idea to your
essay
 The thesis statement is usually the first or second sentence
in your introduction
 The following three sentence will contain your three
supporting points that will help prove your thesis.
Thesis
Death Penalty is wrong.
1.
Immoral.
3.
Not effective.
2.
Too
expensive.
In our society today, the idea of
bringing back the death penalty is highly
debated. The death penalty is wrong. It
does not have the desired effect. The
expense associated with the death penalty
is more than people are aware of. The
whole idea of killing someone is immoral.
BODY PARAGRAPHS
 In a basic 5 paragraph essay, there are 3 body
paragraphs that all follow the same structure; but,
discuss and prove different points.
 Each body paragraph should discuss one of the points
in your thesis.
 You are trying to convince the reader that your point
is right.
 Each body paragraph needs a topic sentence, point,
and proof.
 Be sure to use transition phrases to connect your
ideas.
 Write a closing sentence.
 Do this x3
P.E.E
Point, Evidence, Explanation
Objective:
To understand and successfully
apply the PEE structure
PEE Explained
• Point: your stance, direction, brief
answer to a question posed
• Evidence: support in the form of a
“quotation” or specific example(s)
• Explanation: explains what your
evidence proves. Pick out key words,
explain their effects and/or judge
PEE in action
Q: How do novels and films teach us about ourselves and
the society we live in?
P – The movie “V for Vendetta”, explains how people are
part of society’s problems.
E – V does not focus on violence, crime or greed when
talking about the society but the apathy and
complacency of society “…you need only look in the
mirror.”
E – Society can be led by those people who understand that
people just don’t care about things in the world. All it
takes for change is for someone to stand up and say
enough.
Topic sentence – there
are a number of films that
teach us about the
society we live in.
Point - The movie “V for
Vendetta”, explains how
people are part of
society’s problems.
Evidence - V does not
focus on violence, crime
or greed when talking
about the society but the
apathy and complacency
of society “…you need
only look in the mirror.”
Explain - Society can be
led by those people who
understand that people
just don’t care about
things in the world. All it
takes for change is for
someone to stand up and
say enough.
PEE in action extension
Q: How do novels and films teach us about ourselves and
the society we live in?
P – Both Shattered and V for Vendetta comment on society apathy
and complacency.
E – V does not focus on violence, crime or greed when talking
about the society but the apathy and complacency of
society “…you need only look in the mirror.” This has led to
a breakdown in society. Shattered presents the same issue
of apathy and complaceny but in a different way. The
character of Ian is one full of apathy at the beginning of
the novel. He does not care about the placement or the
people, he just wants to pass a course. This shows how
apathetic teenagers can be in today’s society
E – Although they approach the problem differently they both
introduce the idea that apathy and complacency is a problem in
our society. It is only through strong characters like V or Ian
that things have got to change before it is too late.
The Conclusion
 The conclusion brings together ALL of the main
points of the essay.
 It refers back to and RESTATES the THESIS.
 The conclusion leaves the reader with a final
thought and a sense of closure by resolving any
ideas brought up in the essay.
#1 RULE IN ANY CONCLUSION
YOU CANNOT INTRODUCE ANYTHING NEW!
•
No separate title page. In the top left corner of the first
page of your essay, write:
Your Name
Teacher’s Name
Double spaced
Course Code
Date Submitted
Bullying
Bullying is an issue that continues to be
discussed and examined by everyone. It is
something that a lot of people have had to
deal with at work, on the streets or at
school. People have come up with ideas and
plans to stop bullying but do they really
work? Social media is something that people
say is one of the main reasons why the
amount of bullying has exploded to new
levels.
Write a well-constructed essay discussing
your opinion of bullying.