FIVE PARAGRAPH ESSAY FORMAT
N. Lund/Oxford Tutorials
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
A. Grabs the reader's attention. It should have a "hook": a fairly brief,
thought-provoking sentence
(assertion, question,
quotation, humor) to catch and focus your reader's interest.
For example:
1. “Shakespeare never grows old. Why
is that?” (NL)
2. “Where were you when America lost her soul?” (NL)
3. “Old books are more fun than a barrel full of monkeys.” (NL)
4. “Never let schooling interfere with your education” (M. Twain)
5. “Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire” (W. B. Yeats)
6. ”The man that hath no music in himself… is fit for treasons”
(Shakespeare,
Merchant of Venice)
7. “War is horrible, but slavery is worse” (W. Churchill).
8. “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something,
sometime in your life” (W. Churchill)
9. “There are no boring subjects, only disinterested minds” (GK)
10. “Don’t let worry kill you—let the Church help!”
B. Gives brief background on your
topic
C. Begins or ends with the thesis
statement (SEE: “Writing the Thesis Statement”)
BODY: MIDDLE PARAGRAPHS
A. Develops, expands, and/or
supports the thesis statement
B. Includes a topic sentence for
each paragraph (one main idea)
C. Includes supporting details
which reinforce the topic sentence.
1. Generally 3-5 sentences are necessary per paragraph.
2. Details may include reasons, examples, stories, statistics
3. Indent the first sentence of every paragraph
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH:
A. Restates the thesis or sums up
the argument.
B. Tells the reader what you think
is most important. This may be a personal
response; it must be
focused and brief.
C. Never introduce new information
in the conclusion.
HOW TO GET STARTED:
A. Identify your topic (usually
provided by your tutor or the test).
B. Write your opinion (conclusion,
judgment) about the topic. This will become
your thesis statement.
You will use it in your introductory paragraph.
C. Write three or four reasons why
you hold that position. You will use these in
your middle paragraphs.
D. Look for transitional words and
phrases to introduce and connect the middle paragraphs.
See below: “Types and examples of transitions.”
WRITING YOUR THESIS STATEMENT:
A. Definition of a "thesis
statement":
A thesis statement is a proposition to be defended or proved. It is an assertion about what the author thinks to
be true or false. It is the writer's judgment
about something (a topic) that could be debated. It
requires the writer to "take sides" on an issue, and to support that position. Unless the thesis is supported by reasons, it is
just an expression of one's opinion. Do not
use first person pronouns ("I" or "my"). Use the third person
("it is;" "there is," “there are,” etc.) for a stronger,
more confident and objective approach.
B. Difference between
"topic" and "thesis."
A topic is anything you can think or write about, a subject for study or
discussion. Notice the difference between the
following topics (general subjects), and thesis statements which are based upon them
(specific assertions):
C. Examples of topics and thesis
statements
1. TOPIC # 1: Study of Shakespeare
a. Shakespeare expresses timeless truths which are the foundation of democracy
and absolutely essential for a good education
b. Shakespeare is biased and should not be considered any more important than
any other kind of literature.
c. Shakespeare is so antiquated that he isn't worth any further study or attention.
2. TOPIC # 2: Global Warming
a. Global warming is a natural and recurring phenomenon which humans cannot
significantly influence or change.
b. Global warming is an unprecedented event which is caused by humans, and
which requires a human solution.
c. Global warming is part of a new pagan religion which worships the ‘mother
earth.’
3. TOPIC # 3: Home schooling
a. Home schooling is a legitimate and effective way of preparing students for
responsible citizenship and productive careers.
b. Home schooling is an unconstitutional attempt to avoid state-sponsored
education.
c. Home schooling is part of a conspiracy by ring-wing fundamentalists to overthrow
the American government.
D. Relationship between a topic
and a thesis:
The topic gives you the subject you are going to write about. Your thesis
will state where you stand (your own
judgment, opinion, conclusion) about that
particular subject.
E. How to write a thesis statement:
Here's how to write your thesis statement. Use
the topic as your subject. Finish the sentence
by stating your view or assertions about that topic. Your thesis may be expressed in more
than one sentence. It informs the reader of
your position on an issue, and alerts them of what to expect in your essay. Your thesis should express your conclusion,
judgment or interpretation as simply and clearly as possible. In the remaining paragraphs of your essay you will
attempt to support that thesis with specific, relevant and sufficient evidence. That evidence may include summaries, paraphrases,
and quotations from the text under consideration.
ORGANIZING YOUR TRANSITIONS:
A. Arrange paragraphs so that the
content of one leads logically to the next. The
transition may highlight
a relationship that already exists by summarizing the previous paragraph and
suggesting something
of the content of the next paragraph.
B. A transition between paragraphs
can be a word or two ("thus, however, for example, similarly"), a
phrase (“as the reader may have noticed”), or a sentence
(“Obviously, there is something wrong”).
C. Transitions can be at the end
of the first paragraph, at the beginning of the second paragraph, or in
both places.
TYPES AND EXAMPLES OF TRANSITIONS:
A. Similarity: "also, in the
same way, just as ... so too, likewise, similarly"
B. Exception/Contrast: "but,
however, in spite of, on the one hand ... on the other hand, nevertheless,
nonetheless, notwithstanding, in
contrast, on the contrary, still, yet"
C. Sequence/Order: "first,
second, third, ... next, then, finally"
D. Time: "after, afterward,
at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now,
recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then"
E. Example: "for example, for
instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate"
F. Emphasis: "even, indeed,
in fact, of course, truly"
G. Place/Position: "above,
adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there"
H. Cause and Effect:
"accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus"
I. Additional Support or Evidence: "additionally,
again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important,
further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then"
J. Conclusion/Summary:
"finally, in a word, in brief, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis,
on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, in summary"
EXAMPLE OF A FIVE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY:
Why Study Shakespeare?
Norman J. Lund
300 words
Shakespeare never grows old. Why is
that? It’s because he expresses timeless
truths with unparalleled literary excellence. The
study of Shakespeare is essential for a good education.
The first reason to study Shakespeare is to develop one’s appreciation for
great literature. Shakespeare’s genius is
evident, not only in his sonnets and other poems, but in some three dozen plays. His characters are vivid and his plots compelling. Once you’ve met them, who can ever forget
Hamlet or Lady Macbeth—his grief, or her guilt—or Beatrice and Benedick, and
their humorous banter? It’s not an
accident that Shakespeare is the most-quoted author in the English language. He also confers a rich vocabulary. The prestigious Oxford English Dictionary estimates
that Shakespeare “coined” about 1700 words.
What better way to develop an appreciation for great literature than by studying
the best?
Clearly, there is an enduring value in Shakespeare.
In addition to his literary gifts, Shakespeare reveals deep spiritual insights. The plays of Shakespeare rest upon and express a
Biblical worldview. Although he tapped many
sources for inspiration, his primary source was Scripture.
One researcher has documented over 1,300 Biblical references in Shakespeare, an
average of about forty per play. Shakespeare
wrote from a God-centered, redemptive perspective. The great Biblical themes are all
there.
Given the magnitude of his contribution, it is no wonder that scholars like E. D.
Hirsch have insisted on the importance of reading Shakespeare to develop a basic,
“cultural literacy.” Shakespeare
provides a wonderful ‘bridge’ for discussing the great questions of life, and
for rediscovering the richness in Western civilization.
The works of Shakespeare constitute a rich literary, spiritual and cultural
treasure, just waiting for discovery. Students
of Shakespeare are rewarded for their efforts. But
that’s a bonus. It’s like getting
paid to play.
Notes on format and transitions
compiled and edited from:
http://www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us/staff/dehogue/FSSH/5_parag.htm
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/transitions.html
http://essayinfo.com/essays/5-paragraph_essay.php