THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY



THE FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY

The structure of a five-paragraph essay is relatively straightforward. It begins with an introductory paragraph that introduces the subject and contains a thesis statement. (For more information on introductory paragraphs and thesis statements, refer to the additional handouts.) The body of the essay consists of three paragraphs that support or explain the main point. Each paragraph should begin with a strong topic sentence. Topic sentences have several functions: 1) They control the paragraph, 2) They link the material in the paragraph to the thesis, and 3) They show the relationships between paragraphs. Each paragraph of the body should contain examples that help to support your main point. Finally, your concluding paragraph should summarize the points that you have made in proving your thesis and explicitly state the conclusions that you have drawn. It might also explore the implications of what you have discussed in your paper.

An outline for a five-paragraph essay might look like this:

I. Introductory Paragraph

A. Introductory statement

B. Thesis statement

C. Outline statement

II. Body Paragraphs

A. Body Paragraph #1: Topic sentence

1. Idea

2. Supporting example

3. Idea

4. Supporting example

B. Body Paragraph #2: Topic sentence

1. Idea

2. Supporting example

3. Idea

4. Supporting example

C. Body Paragraph #3: Topic sentence

1. Idea

2. Supporting example

3. Idea

4. Supporting example

III. Concluding Paragraph

It is important to remember that, while outlines are useful tools, they are also limiting. If you have ideas that don’t fit neatly into an outline, be ready to rethink your structure and reorganize your ideas.

**The five paragraph essay is not “the right” way to write; it is one form that can be useful in exploring literary texts. I will expect you to master it this year—not so that you will be bound to it—but so that you will be able to move beyond it into more complex forms and ideas without abandoning your logic and organization. Think of the five paragraph essay as training wheels – it’s going to prepare you for much more exciting intellectual adventures.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download