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Date:

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Guidelines for Writing the Five-Paragraph Essay

There are three basic components to organize: The introduction, the body, the conclusion.

I.  Introduction (1 paragraph)

  1. Begin with general or basic information about your essay’s overall topic
  2. Get more specific – include author and title of work if known
  3. Use author’s full name (for rest of essay use authors last name only)
  4. Include titles of novels, plays, “short stories,” “poems,” “articles,” “quotes”
  5. Include thesis statement with three major points to be discussed (this is your organizational structure) and overall purpose

II.  The Body Paragraphs (one body paragraph for each major point listed in introduction; 3 paragraphs total.) Use the T-PIPE formula

  1. Transitional word or phrase; shows there is a shift in thought or topic
  2. Point as stated in the introduction; keep in the same order; one point per body paragraph
  3. Information is supplied about the point you are discussing
  4. Use a definition if applicable
  5. Supply a description so the reader understands what you are discussing
  6. Proof must be supplied to back up the point and information supplied
  7. Use direct quotes from the material being analyzed
  8. Used examples that help illustrate the point and information supplied
  9. Explanation must be supplied to the reader. Here is where you elaborate in your own words and in some detail about why tour example and this body paragraph are important to your over all essay.
  10. Provide analysis about your example or quote
  11. Provide interpretation through details

III.  Conclusion (1 paragraph)

  1. Transitional word or phrase that shows this is the end of the essay
  2. Do not bring in any new information; the essay is winding down; the discussion is over
  3. Relate the points you discussed in the essay to the overall purpose you tried to achieve
  4. Use a clincher sentence, a wrap up sentence, say something striking that is related to your overall purpose or topic – give your reader one final shot to be remembered about the topic

Five-Paragraph Essay Organizer

Body: What is your organizational structure? List points you are going to make to prove your thesis.

Body Para. #1
Topic/Point: / Body Para. #2
Topic/Point: / Body Para #3
Topic/Point:

Introduction: Write a thesis statement that responds to the prompt and includes your organizational structure from the body section of this organizer (above).

Conclusion: Restate/reword your thesis to show you’ve proved it.