5 Paragraph Essay Structure
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Introduction
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Body Paragraph One
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Body Paragraph Two
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Body Paragraph Three
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Conclusion
Thesis Statements
Definition:
A
single declarative sentence that
expresses what you want your readers to
understand; the controlling idea of your
essay and road map for your paper
 Directly answers the prompt
 Makes a claim that others could refute
 Last sentence of your introduction (for
now…)
Introductions and Thesis Statements
•At least three mature sentences
•Introduces the basic idea or general concept of the essay
•Creates interest (the hook)
•Ends with a thesis statement (controlling idea of the paper)
Think of your introduction as a
funnel. It starts with a broad,
general overview of the topic
before narrowing down to your
specific thesis.
Thesis Example
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You can’t use this couple, but here’s an example of a thesis for
your Famous Couples Essay
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ relationship failed due to the
massive age difference, the Church of Scientology, and the
pressure of being a celebrity couple.
I will have three body paragraphs focused on…
1.) The massive age difference
2.) The Church of Scientology
3.) The pressure of being a celebrity couple
Introductory Hooks
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Draws in the reader
Tone should match the essay (serious, humorous, etc.)
Introduces the topic you will be talking about
Possibility: Start with a quote from one of your researched
sources or give a brief background overview of the topic.
**DO NOT start your essay with a rhetorical question!
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Has there ever been a time when . . .
Have you ever wondered . . .
What would you do if . . .
Writing Body Paragraphs
Body paragraphs should follow this basic outline:
1.) Topic Sentence – shows the main idea of the paragraph
2.) Concrete Detail (evidence) – facts/data, quotes, examples
3.) Commentary (analysis) – your analysis, explanation, or
interpretation of your CD.
4.) Concluding/Transition Sentence – wraps up the main
idea of the paragraph, or leads the reader into the idea
of the next paragraph
Hmmm, look a little familiar to something we just discussed?
TS, CD, CM, CS—Now What?
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CHUNKING
A combination of CDs and CMs is
called a chunk.
We will use a combination (or “ratio”)
of 1:2. That is, for every 1 CD, you
will have 2 CMs.
This will be important in research when you are
bringing in multiple pieces of evidence for one topic.
For Example…
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A student should attempt at least one Pre-AP course in 9th
grade because colleges want to see that their applicants are
striving to take challenging classes. According to College
Board, “studies have shown that the rigor of a student's high
school curriculum is the single best predictor of success in
college” (College Board). Even if a student is struggling in a
Pre-AP course, it is important for teenagers to push themselves
to work harder, to manage their time, and to learn how to
study. These are skills that will pay off tremendously in
college. Colleges are looking for students who they know will
be good additions to their campus, and Pre-AP classes are just
the proof these universities need to predict student success.
Transitions
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A good paragraph will use strong transition
words. These are words or phrases that help
readers connect your ideas.
• Example transitions:
For example,
For instance,
Consequently,
Thus,
In summary,
Because of this,
As a result,
Hence,
Therefore,
Academic Language
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No “You” EVER!!!!!! (Unless it’s in a quote)
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No first person – (“I think…” “We learn…” “The story
teaches us…”)
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No contractions (can’t, don’t, etc), slang, casual or
conversational language
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No rhetorical questions
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Here are a list of a few words/phrases that make your
English teacher cringe:
kinda
gonna
cuz
wanna
back in the day
now a days
Referencing your Evidence:
Long Works/Short Works
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Italics if the work is long (novels, plays, epic
poems, albums, movie titles)
“Quotes” if the work is short (poems, short
stories, articles, song titles)

 Odyssey  (or Odyssey if handwritten)
 The Lost Boys of Sudan 
 “The Lost Boys of Sudan” 
 “Odyssey”
Expository Writing
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Expository writing is writing with the purpose to inform,
explain, describe, or define the author's subject to the
reader.
Common Organizational Patterns:
-Compare/Contrast – explain how 2+ more things are alike/ different
-Cause/Effect - identifies one more causes and the resulting effects
-Definition – describes characteristics, features or examples
-Problem/Solution – the writer addresses a problem and possible
ways to fix it
Understanding Expository Prompts
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STAAR Expository Prompts consist of 3 parts:
1. Read
2. Think
3. Write
The “Read” will introduce the basic concept of the prompt.
The “Think” is intended to get your “gears turning” and
help you generate ideas.
The “Write” will present you with your specific task.
Sample:
Read the information in the box below:
Some high schools in Orlando, Florida are separating boys and the girls from one another
during the school day. They have now created “Girls Only” and “Boys Only” campuses.
The Orlando school district, along with many parents in the area, feels that this drastic
change will greatly benefit the teenagers of this community.
Think about the advantages and disadvantages of being at a school with no peers of the
opposite sex.
Write an essay presenting the advantages or disadvantages of attending a same gender
school.
Be sure to —
clearly state your thesis
organize and develop your ideas effectively
choose your words carefully
edit your writing for grammar, mechanics, and spelling
More Sample Expository Prompts
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Everyone has rules they must follow. What are the
most important rules at your school and why are they
important?
Explain whether people should be more concerned
about others than about themselves.
Describe how one technological innovation has
impacted society.
Explain whether using a cell phone while driving
should be legal or illegal.
You have a new foreign exchange student in your
class. Describe the purpose and possible uses of a
backpack to this student.
Guidelines for Websites
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Websites that are .gov, .org, or .edu will always be
reliable.
If it is a .com, look at who is sponsoring the website. Ex,
foxnews.com, cnn.com, or people.com are very
reliable, but perezhilton.com – ehhh – not so much.
Wikipedia, Yahoo Answers, About.com, etc. are
unacceptable.
If in doubt, ASK!!!
Remember: Databases already have the citation
created for you. If not using a database, use
www.easybib.com to create your works cited entries.
"First Lady Will Lead US Delegation to 2012 Olympics." Fox News. FOX News Network,
13 Mar. 2012. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. <http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/03/13/first-lady-will-leadus-delegation-to-2012-olympics/>.
3 Ways to incorporate evidence
1.
Blended quotes
* using words that are not your own
* taking lines word for word from the source
* remember to keep quotes short (what are the
most important elements)
Sample: In March the White House released news that
Michelle Obama would “lead the official U.S. delegation
to the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympic
Games” (First).
3 Ways to incorporate evidence
2. Paraphrasing
* expressing someone’s ideas in your own
language
* requires you to use entirely your own language
* you must alter the sentence structure of the
original piece
Sample: The White House recently announced that Michelle
Obama will continue to carry on an Olympic tradition started
by Hillary Clinton in 1994 by leading the U.S. delegation at
the 2012 Olympic opening ceremonies. She is also using this
opportunity to continue to promote her Let’s Move fitness
initiative for children (First).
3 Ways to incorporate evidence
3. Summarizing
* takes the main idea from a large passage
* condenses that idea using your own words
* shorter than a paraphrase
Sample: The White House recently announced that
First Lady Michelle Obama will lead the U.S.
delegation of athletes at the 2012 Olympic opening
ceremonies (First).
Internal Documentation
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Internal documentation is located at the end of a
sentence where researched information is presented, not
the end of the paragraph.
It is also called parenthetical citation (because the
information is in parenthesis!)
The period of the sentence follows the last parenthesis.
You will use a signal word/phrase from the Works Cited
citation (usually the author’s last name or the first word
of the article title).
If citing a book, you must include the page number as
well as the author’s last name.
Internal Documentation Practice
What would be my parenthetical citation for each of the
following sources?
"Pair of Bald Eagles Thwart Chicago's Plan for Outdoor Shooting Range." Fox
News. FOX News Network, 13 Mar. 2012. Web. 13 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/03/13/pair-bald-eagles-thwart-chicagosplan-for-outdoor-shooting-range/>.
(Pair)
Scolforo, Mark. "Judge Denies Sandusky Bid for More Particulars." News from
The Associated Press. Houston Chronicle, 13 Mar. 2012. Web. 13 Mar. 2012.
<http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PENN_STATE_ABUSE?SITE=T
XHOU>.
(Scolforo)
Beah, Ishmael. A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. New York: Farrar,
Straus and Giroux, 2007. Print.
*A Quote used from page 112
(Beah 112)
Works Cited
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It is the last page of your essay (it is on a page by itself)
It should be titled Works Cited at the top center
Sources should be listed in alphabetical order by the first word
of the citation.
The page should be double spaced.
Use hanging indents (indent the second line or more of each
citation)
No numbers or bullets
Citations for databases are located at the bottom of the article
For websites, go to www.easybib.com and copy the URL
address to generate the citation.
Sample Works Cited