Your Handy Dandy Guide to Organizing a Proper 5 Paragraph Essay How to Write an Essay Your Handy Dandy Guide to Organizing a Proper 5 Paragraph Essay

What is an Essay A basic essay consists of three main parts: INTRODUCTION CONNECTED BODY PARAGRAPHS (3+) A CONCLUSION People write an essay to persuade others. The purpose of the essay is to prove a point about a particular topic.

Big idea Hook thesis Move beyond text into “life” or concept focus Start with a broad idea to cover Topic background and summary Body paragraphs are a series of specific POINTS, PROOFS, AND COMMENTARY that help explain how the text supports or explores your thesis idea. Each paragraph should somehow connect back to your bid idea. Connect your big idea to your text coverage My viewpoint or angle State your topic and personal stance thesis Put thesis into reflective wording Restate Thesis Move beyond text into “life” or concept focus Reminder of text purpose Commentary on big idea BEYOND specific text

PERSONAL APPROACH TO WRITING Without a reason to write—an honest idea or point you want to explore or explain—your essay will almost certainly fall apart. Every GOOD essay starts with a Goal and a personal Focus—a viewpoint or idea you WANT to explore

ESSAY GOAL & FOCUS GOAL means the IDEA you want to explore or comment on. Without a goal you tend to have a SUMMARY FOCUS means how the text you are exploring helps develop or show the IDEA you are attempting to explain

The Introduction The introduction guides the reader into your paper by grabbing attention and introducing the topic. Your essay should start with a big idea that connects to your thesis but is larger than the text you are exploring. Example: nature of free will, fragility of being human, types of universal suffering, power of love, pain and suffering, etc. It should name the title and author of the piece and give a brief description of the plot of the piece. Make sure to introduce your topic. Provide a brief synopsis of what your topic is and also remember to include your reference works (i.e.. Articles or websites consulted) Where the reader finds the thesis statement, which is the guide to the entire essay. The reference is the name of the novel with the author.

The Thesis Statement A thesis statement is simply an argument that you are going to prove. It is the roadmap for your essay and explains to the reader exactly what you will discuss in your paper. The thesis statement will be the LAST SENTENCE in your INTRODUCTION paragraph. A basic thesis statement contains the topic and the main viewpoint or argument you will explore Thesis can be an announcement or a concept Immortals is a film that explores the true nature of humanity (concept) The Immortals makes the point that free will is important to humans but not always completely “free” in the ancient world.  

BODY PARAGRAPHS In a basic 5 paragraph essay, there are 3 body paragraphs that all follow the same structure but discuss and prove different points. Each body paragraph should focus on a different “talking point” or specific reading section of your topic. You are trying to convince the reader that your point is right. Each body paragraph needs a topic sentence, point, and proof (text support and coverage). Be sure to use transition phrases to connect your ideas. Last sentence needs to transition into next talking point

WRITING A PARAGRAPH Therefore…POINT (topic sentence) A full and complete paragraph consists of a MINIMUM of 8-10 sentences and follows a specific format: TOPIC SENTENCE (1st Sentence) The topic sentence reflects which thesis statement point you will be discussing in the body paragraph. You must PROVE your POINT by providing PROOFS (examples) to support your topic sentence. You must COMMENT on each PROOF to further your analysis. Therefore…POINT (topic sentence) PROOF & COMMENTARY – How is your point shown in the text or reading details? Segue Sentence The final sentence needs to broaden your coverage back to an idea or concept and transition into the next concept.

#1 RULE IN ANY CONCLUSION YOU CANNOT INTRODUCE ANYTHING NEW! The Conclusion The conclusion brings together ALL of the main points of the essay. It refers back to and RESTATES the THESIS. The conclusion leaves the reader with a final thought and a sense of closure by resolving any ideas brought up in the essay. A strong conclusion brings the reader back to a “big idea” that was introduced in the hook and reflects on or explores that “big idea” #1 RULE IN ANY CONCLUSION YOU CANNOT INTRODUCE ANYTHING NEW!

Formal Writing Rules Do not use the first or second person (I, my, we, us). Do not use contractions (can’t, won’t, doesn’t). Do not use clichés, metaphors or figures of speech. Avoid saying “The essay will discuss...” or “In my opinion...” Avoid using “a lot”. If you do use it, take care not to repeat it often. Avoid redundancy and repetition. Be specific. Do not use words such as “things” or “many examples”. Do not be vague. Always follow MLA format (see below) Always type and double space. Use size 12 pt font, Times New Roman, and standard 1” margins EDIT, EDIT, EDIT! Save your rough work. When writing about literature, always write in the present tense. I.e. “The Chrysalids is a book about the future” not “The Chrysalids was a book about the future”. Essays should be submitted with one staple in the top left hand corner. Do not put them in folders or duotangs.

MLA Format Essay written in 12 pt font, 1” margins No separate title page. In the top left corner of the first page of your essay, write: Your Name Teacher’s Name Double spaced Course Code Date Submitted Put your last name and page number in the top corner of each page after the title page.   Italicize the title of the novel When using quotes, reference the page number in the following way:   First quote, use the author’s name in the reference. “I didn't even notice then that it had more than the usual number of toes” (Wyndham 6).  

MLA Continued Second quote from the same source, no need for the author’s name. “I didn’t even notice then that it had more than the usual number of toes” (6).  Submit a Works Cited page to show the resources that you have quoted from in your essay. The format for the Works Cited: Write Works Cited centered at the top of a new page. (Ensure your last name and the page number are still included in the top right corner.) Each entry in the works cited should be in alphabetical order according to the author’s last name.   Last name, First name. Title of Book. City published: Publisher, Year.