1. Five Paragraph Essays (Argumentative)
They are Great!!!

2. Introduction Paragraph
Introduces the topic.
Here is where you “hook” your reader.
Contains thesis statement
Last sentence of this paragraph
States what your essay will prove

3. Introduction Example
There is simply no doubt about it. Whether it’s a dog, a cat, a bird, or even a snake, pets are essential to most households. Some may argue that pets are too much work; they are messy and expensive. Yet pets benefit their owners physically, mentally and emotionally. Quite literally, pets improve their owner’s health.

4. Body Paragraphs 1-3
Each body paragraph state a point that supports your overall argument.
Topic sentence:
States the point you are trying to make in this paragraph
Cite Evidence:
What evidence is there to support your ideas?
Use proof from the passage to prove you are correct in your argument
This is where you make your case

5. Example argumentative points
Point 1: Cuddling with a pet helps ward off allergies
Point 2: Having a pet can improve heart health
Point 3: Pets help their owners beat the blues.

6. Example Body Paragraph
Cuddling up with a pet absolutely aids people in beating the blues. The return of a dog’s affection gives owners a sense of purpose. In her article “Top Five Health Benefits of Owning a Pet,” McCandless states this sense of purpose “can be crucial for those feeling down in the dumps.” ( Pets also decrease the feeling of loneliness by providing companionship, not to mention the lovely licks and slurps. They conjure positive emotional reactions which deter depressive feelings all together.

7. Conclusion Paragraph
Reiterate your thesis statement (write it similarly, not identically).
Summarize your first, second, and third supporting points.
Go out with a bang!!! Drive your point home.
Give the reader something to remember since it is an argumentative essay.

8. Conclusion Example
Owning a pet increases overall health and wellness. Pets lessen the symptoms of allergy sufferers, if not wipe them out completely. By walking and playing with dogs and cats, owners better their heart health automatically. Simple hugging of a pet can decrease depressive moods and diminish loneliness. No amount of frustration from taking care of a pet could be equivalent to their benefit. In fact, not having a pet could actually be hazardous to a person’s health!