How to Format and Write the Basic Five Paragraph Essay Writing to Win

Think Ahead When you write an essay, some planning needs to take place. Brainstorming, listing, clustering, cubing, cross- examination and mapping are all ways to prepare your ideas. Choose what suits you and the essay you are writing. Of course, if the essay is an in-class essay, you may only have time to write down a few thoughts. If you have a long time to prepare, you can make an outline.

Methods of Prewriting In cubing, the writer approaches the topic from six perspectives to explore the topic, which may be in its beginning stages. See your book for official definitions. Cross-examination involves interviewing yourself or another person regarding the topic, using questions about definition,relationship, comparison/contrast, testimony, and circumstance. Through brainstorming, you can work with others (or yourself) to generate ideas. Freewriting: choose a topic and write freely for a few minutes to get ideas (a type of brainstorming). Listing: The reader lists many ideas that have to do with the topic, a type of brainstorming.

Overall Structure The five-paragraph essay contains an introductory paragraph, three body paragraphs and a concluding paragraph. Essays in general can vary in length depending on purpose and complexity, but they should be built with the three parts: introduction, body and conclusion.

Introductory Paragraph This may have an introduction that brings the reader into the essay, such as a startling fact or general information. The idea is to “engage” the reader. A thesis statement gives the main idea and uses words that explain the writer’s attitude toward the subject. The thesis sentence may also contain an essay map that “maps out” or demonstrates what the essay will be about and how it will be structured. Often from this essay map the reader can predict the subtopics, and what will be the main idea of each body paragraph. The thesis sentence also contains a controlling idea, which may be part of the essay map, and which shows how the main idea will be discussed.

What is missing in these thesis sentences? New York City is exciting. (The essay map is missing). Better: New York City is exciting because of its historical sites, theater offerings, and fine restaurants. At the concert, they heard a sonata, concerto, and symphony. (The attitude is missing). Better: They enjoyed the concert because they were able to hear a sonata, concerto, and symphony.

Body Paragraphs Each body paragraph has a topic sentence with an attitude and controlling idea. Generally the topic sentence echoes an idea first found in the essay map/controlling idea of the introductory paragraph and thesis sentence. See page 53 in the Write Start book. After the topic sentence you should include supporting sentences, with reasons, examples and details. Outlines that include the topic sentence and supporting details may help the writer stay focused.

Concluding Paragraph This important paragraph reminds the reader of the main idea (thesis) and sums up what the writer discussed. As stated in Write Start (Ch. 6), it may urge action, predict an outcome, evaluate an issue, or warn the reader. This paragraph shouldn’t try to bring in completely new ideas that may distract the reader. However, it also shouldn’t just say over what has already been said.

Techniques In the Concluding Paragraph Call to action: Reader is asked to take some action – to do something based on the essay’s content. Warning: Reader is told negative events might occur Prediction: Reader is told about potential consequences or results from the discussion of the essay’s topic. The writer looks to the future (71). Evaluation: The importance of the essay topic is judged or summarized (72).

Polishing Your Paper -- For Outside Essays, Don’t Forget the Following: Read your paper aloud and listen for errors or unnecessary repetition. Have someone else read your paper. Revise by moving text or deleting repetitious parts. Rewrite as needed. Proof and look for any small spelling mistakes, grammar errors or usage problems. Don’t use anyone’s work without giving them credit, and follow the guidelines of the English Handbook to avoid plagiarism.

Turn Your Paper In Use 14-point Arial or Times Roman to write your paper. Include the proper heading, complete with teacher’s name, assignment name, class, class time, date, your name. Turn your final paper in to Turn-it-in.com on your Moodle account. You may contact the help desk for information on how to do this. Good luck!