The Formal Five Paragraph Essay

Five-Paragraph Format Introduction including thesis statement as the final sentence First subtopic supporting thesis Second subtopic supporting thesis Third subtopic supporting thesis Conclusion including a restatement of your thesis

Introduction The introduction should be composed of four parts: The Hook Statement of Situation Theme Thesis

Hook The first sentence of an essay should capture the reader’s attention. Example: Imagine what it would be like to live without parents in a violent, poverty stricken part of the city.

Statement of Situation A sentence (or a few) that establishes the topic of the paper. It should be limited in scope. (A brief summary of your topic) Example: In S. E Hinton’s The Outsiders, this is exactly what what the Curtis brothers have to face. Ponyboy, Sodapop and Darry are members of the low class Greaser gang, who not only have to live without their parents, but they also have to deal with the constant rivalry of the Socs, who are the upper class rich kids.

Theme The author’s main idea; a universal truth developed by the author. Examples: In this book, S. E Hinton demonstrates the human need for closeness, either to friends or family. She also explores the pain and violence that is caused by gang rivalry as well as the hardships that accompany poverty.

Thesis The main, controlling idea of the essay. Subject + verb + opinion + three sub-topics to support your opinion. Examples: The novel The Outsiders explores many important themes through the lives of the Socs and the Greasers including: the importance of family and friendship, the dynamic between the rich and the poor and the pain and violence caused by gang rivalry.

Introduction Example Imagine what it would be like to live without parents in a violent, poverty stricken city. In S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, this is exactly what the Curtis brothers have to face. Ponyboy, Sodapop and Darry are members of the low class Greaser gang, who not only have to live without their parents, but they also have to deal with the constant rivalry of the Socs, who are the upper class rich kids. In this book, S. E Hinton demonstrates the human need for closeness, either to friends or family. She also explores the pain and violence that is caused by gang rivalry as well as the hardships that accompany poverty. The novel The Outsiders explores many important themes through the lives of the Socs and the Greasers including: the importance of family and friendship, the dynamic between the rich and the poor and the pain and violence caused by gang rivalry.

Each paragraph should include: Body Paragraphs Each paragraph should include: Topic Sentence (Restates Example from the Introduction) 3 Example Sentences (Prove your Topic Sentence) Concluding Sentence (Explain how your example reinforces your thesis) No paragraph should be less than five sentences and paragraphs 2, 3 & 4 should all follow this format.

Body Paragraphs The body paragraphs should each develop one main idea (one of the three sub-topics in your thesis statement) Restate each subtopic in the topic sentence for each of the next three paragraphs.

Topic Sentence The main idea of the paragraph. It should state the topic of the paragraph and explain how the sub-topic proves or reinforces your thesis statement.

Concrete Detail Within your body paragraphs, you must provide concrete details or specific examples. Direct quotes from the source (state the speaker of the line before the quote) You use quotes to support you ideas. For Example: Ponyboy knows that he has a much more difficult life than the Socs and this is evident when he says, “We’re poorer than the Socs and the middle class” (3).

Provide Commentary for your Quotes Commentary explains how the quotes, support or reinforce your thesis statement. When you use quotes you want to make sure to explain how and why they are significant.

Transitions Use transitions to move from one idea (paragraph) to the next. Moreover, however, although, in addition, furthermore, unlike, etc.

Conclusion Restate your thesis or main idea in different words. Explain how your sub-topics prove the thesis. Clincher: connect final sentence back to the hook Avoid ‘In conclusion…” or “To conclude…” Never add anything new to the conclusion

Five-Paragraph Essay Format 1.) Introduction (hook, statement of situation, theme and thesis) 2.) Discuss subtopic one (topic sentence and three examples) 3.) Discuss subtopic two (topic sentence and three examples) 4.) Discuss subtopic three (topic sentence and three examples) 5.) Conclusion (restatement of thesis, explanation of how you proved you thesis and the clincher)