3. The Five-Paragraph Essay The Bing, The Bang, and The Bongo

4. Did you say FIVE paragraphs?

5. Yes! It’s easy with the bing, the bang, and the bongo! Let’s see how it works!

6. An essay is a group of paragraphs relating to one main idea. The bing, the bang, and the bongo is a method for organizing your thoughts when you write an essay.

7. Introduction (the bing, the bang, the bongo) Paragraph Two – The BING Paragraph Three – The BANG Paragraph Four – The BONGO Conclusion (the bing, the bang, the bongo)

8. Let’s create a real essay using the bing, the bang, and the bongo pattern as our guide. It’s easy!

9. Introduction (The bing, the bang, the bongo) Of all the holidays throughout the year, the Christmas is my favorite. I like Christmas because we always have good food to eat, because we spend time with family, and especially because we give presents to those we love. Christmas is truly the best holiday.

10. Paragraph Two – The BING First of all, my mom cooks the best food at Christmas. We always have spicy, sweet barbequed ribs or turkey. My sister’s yearly request is golden corn on the cob dripping with butter. My dad must have creamy mashed potatoes. However, my favorite item comes at the end of the meal—amazing, tangy, lemon meringue pie. Yes, the Christmas meal is the best.

11. Paragraph Three – The BANG Next, it is always fun when my family gets together at Christmas. Each holiday my uncles and aunts bring their families to our house. In the morning we wake up and have breakfast before opening gifts. Afterwards, we spend time with the whole family. Later my cousins and I get together for a game of monopoly or crib in the kitchen. My family has a great time when we are all together.

12. Paragraph Four – The BONGO Finally, I love to watch my family open some presents. In the morning, my family and I wake up and eat breakfast, it is always so yummy. Then we gather around the living room and hand out our presents. My favorite ones are homemade gifts, they always have meaning behind them. I always feel so special on Christmas morning.

13. Conclusion (The bing, the bang, the bongo) Christmas is a wonderful holiday. Eating good food, being with my family, and giving gifts make the holiday extra special. No wonder Christmas is my favorite holiday.

14. Let’s put it all together!

15. My Favorite Holiday Of all the holidays throughout the year, Christmas is my favorite. I like the fourth of July because we always have good food to eat, because we spend time with family, and especially because we give gifts to those we love. Christmas is truly the best holiday. First of all, my mom cooks the best food at Christmas. We always have spicy, sweet barbequed ribs or turkey. My sister’s yearly request is golden corn on the cob dripping with butter. My dad must have creamy mashed potatoes. However, my favorite item comes at the end of the meal—amazing, tangy, lemon meringue pie. Yes, the Christmas meal is the best. Next, it is always fun when my family gets together at Christmas. Each holiday my uncles and aunts bring their families to our house. In the morning we wake up and have breakfast before opening gifts. Afterwards, we spend time with the whole family. Later my cousins and I get together for a game of monopoly or crib in the kitchen. My family has a great time when we are all together. Finally, I love to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. At night all of my family go downtown to the city’s annual fireworks display. We spread blankets on the cool grass and lie down facing the starry sky. Suddenly the night is filled with glory. Fingers of color explode overhead. Great booms and pops fill the night. We all watch in amazement at the beautiful sight. The fireworks are a great ending to a perfect day. The Fourth of July is a wonderful holiday. Eating good food, being with my family, and watching the fireworks make the holiday extra special. No wonder the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday.

16. TRANSITIONS The glue that holds your thoughts together

17. My Favorite Holiday Transitions Of all the holidays throughout the year, the Fourth of July is my favorite. I like the fourth of July because we always have good food to eat, because we spend time with family, and especially because we watch colorful fireworks. The Fourth of July is truly the best holiday. First of all, my mom cooks the best food on the Fourth of July. We always have spicy, sweet barbequed ribs or chicken. My sister’s yearly request is golden corn on the cob dripping with butter. My dad must have creamy potato salad. However, my favorite item comes at the end of the meal—juicy, red watermelon. Yes, the Fourth of July meal is the best. Next, it is always fun when my family gets together on the Fourth of July. Each holiday my uncles and aunts bring their families to our house. In the morning we usually go swimming in the lake behind our house or ride horses in the pasture. Afterwards, we have a big picnic with the whole family. Then my cousins and I get together for a game of baseball in the front yard. My family has a great time when we are all together. Finally, I love to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. At night all of my family go downtown to the city’s annual fireworks display. We spread blankets on the cool grass and lie down facing the starry sky. Suddenly the night is filled with glory. Fingers of color explode overhead. Great booms and pops fill the night. We all watch in amazement at the beautiful sight. The fireworks are a great ending to a perfect day. The Fourth of July is a wonderful holiday. Eating good food, being with my family, and watching the fireworks make the holiday extra special. No wonder the Fourth of July is my favorite holiday.

18. Common Transitions First First of all Second Secondly Third Next Then Afterwards In the morning In the evening In addition Also More importantly Finally At last Therefore In summary In conclusion

19. Don’t know what to write about? Use the bing, the bang, and the bongo to help you write about Anything!

20. Try These Ideas My Favorite Food The World’s Best TV Show The Best Teacher I Ever Had Reading Can Be Fun! My Town Is the Best Town Around Cats Make the Best Pets Smoking: A Good Habit to Break Summer School Is the Pits The Benefits of Learning Math

21. Remember, writing is easy when you use the Bing, the Bang, and the Bongo!

22. The End