The Five-Paragraph Essay A Framework for Expository Writing and Speaking

n We write for fun. We write letters, stories, jokes, and to share information with our family or friends. expository writing n Most school writing, however, is expository writing and fits into a different category. Different Kinds of Writing

Inofrmative Expository Writing n Gives information about a topic n Explains ideas n Or Tells ‘how to’ do something The purpose of most expository writing is to communicate ideas or answer questions.

Expository Writing Uses Transitions Writer’s Express says: “Expository writing uses LOGICAL ORDER transition words, such as; first, second, and/or most importantly. These words help guide the reader through the explanation.” FROM: Writer’s Express - A Handbook for Young Writers, Thinkers, and Learners ©1995

So, your teacher gives you a prompt and tells you to write an expository essay: What do you do??? Don’t panic. Follow this plan… (Watch for the color-coding, it will help you organize your ideas.) “Write about your favorite pet. OR What was important about the civil war”

It’s Easy! You ONLY Need Three Ideas... Start with your main idea or OPIC (use key words from the prompt) EXAMPLE Topic Sentence: The Civil War was important for freedom. n Three reasons that show your topic sentence is true n And two or three examples for each of your reasons n (Remember to show, not tell.) That’s all you need for the start of a great essay!!!

THESIS STATEMENT The Civil War created freedom because many slaves escaped to freedom (1), slave owners offered emancipation (2), and slaves were allowed to buy their freedom (3). There are your 3 reasons your statement is true… now create a paragraph…

Use Correct Paragraph Form n Topic Sentence (1) n Three Examples (3) n Conclusion (1) No good paragraph should be less than five sentences!!! Each paragraph must include: n

Start with a topic sentence that uses the key words from the prompt. Then write three reasons that prove the topic sentence is true. The Civil War was important for freedom. The Civil War created freedom because many slaves escaped to freedom (1), slave owners offered emancipation (2), and slaves were allowed to buy their freedom (3). The Beginning - Your First Sentences

You already have your first paragraph done! Pretty easy, huh? To make it even easier look at this organizational plan that follows.

Paragraph 2: the 1 st fact (TOPIC) (1) Many slaves escaped during the Civil War. (2) The Underground Railroad, and Harriet Tubman assisted some slaves to escape to the northern states. (3) Some slaves managed the escape journey on their own and were able to hide until in the states until freedom was officially declared. (4) And, some slaves escaped either with the railroad, or alone, and eventually made it all way to Canada while the states were focused on war. (5) However they escaped, the freed slaves began a new life.

Restate each subtopic as the topic sentence for each of the next three paragraphs. First Subtopic (Example #1) “He is beautiful and easy to care for.” is the topic sentence you will restate for your next paragraph.

Paragraph 3: the 2nd fact (TOPIC) (1)Some slaves were offered emancipation. (2) This meant that their owner legally documented that he or she was giving the slave their freedom. (3) Sometimes, the owners would grant freedom to younger slaves who had shown great loyalty. (4) But, some owners kept their slaves until they were older, and left the emancipation instructions in their own will. (5) The freed slaves could begin a new life, but those who were old did not enjoy freedom long.

Paragraph 4: the 3rd fact (TOPIC) (1)Some slaves were allowed to purchase their freedom with money earned outside of slave duties. (2) Some slaves earned money by blacksmith work. (3) Carpentry was also a way that a slave could earn money if he did it to save the master money from paying a white worker. (4) There were several ways a slave could earn money, but they all involved laborious work. (5) Most slaves did not mind the work if it meant they could purchase their freedom and live life with their family.

WHAT ABOUT TRANSITIONS? n Now, go back to the FIRST LINE of paragraph 2,3 and 4 and choose a LOGICAL ORDER Transition that sounds best. Insert that at the beginning and, WHALAH… You have the body written!

Paragraph 5: Conclusion (Restates Paragraph 1: Introduction)  Introduction (TRANSITION)+(Main Topic) As you can see, the Civil War was very important to freedom  First Subtopic Sentence: Slaves were able to escape to freedom,  Second Subtopic Sentence Were given emancipation, or  Third Subtopic Sentence Were allowed to buy their freedom.  Conclusion Whichever method was used by individual slaves, all slaves are free today as a result of the civil war.

Paragraph 5: Conclusion (Restates Paragraph 1: Introduction) As you can see, Romeo is a great pet. I am proud of him and he doesn’t require much care. Playing with him is very pleasurable. I am always safe because he watches over me. Romeo is a wonderful pet.

Paragraph #5 (1)As you can see, the Civil War was very important to freedom. (2)Slaves were able to escape to their own freedom. (3) They may have been given emancipation, or (4) they were allowed to buy their freedom. (5) Whichever method was applied to or by individual slaves, all slaves are free today as a result of the Civil War.

There you have it! a plan. Expository writing is not that difficult when you have a plan. To make it even easier you may want to use a graphic organizer like the following ones to organize your thoughts.

Main Idea:________________ Sub Topic 1 Sub Topic 2 Sub Topic 3 Fact 1 Fact 2 Fact 3 Fact 1 Fact 2 Fact 3 Fact 1 Fact 2 Fact 3 Transition 1 ___________ Transition 2 ___________ Transition 3 ___________