1. Demystifying The 5 Paragraph Essay
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Demystifying The 5 Paragraph Essay

2. You know the scene. You’re asked to write an essay on a topic, book, event, etc. Suddenly your mind goes blank, your palms start sweating, and you stare blankly at the screen.
What Do You Do?

3. The 5 Paragraph Essay
Contrary to what you might think, writing an essay is not that difficult once you master the steps involved.
Today we’re going to learn how to organize your thoughts, identify main points, create a thesis, and submit a sound 5 paragraph essay.
I believe each of you can do this!

4. Why We Write
We write for many reasons; for fun, to express ourselves, to explain, to persuade, etc.
Most writing for school is known as expository writing.
We’ll be discussing EXPOSITORY writing today.

5. Expository Writing Gives information about a topic Explains ideas
The purpose of most expository writing is to communicate ideas or answer questions.
Gives information about a topic
Explains ideas
Gives directions
Shows how to do something

6. The Essay Format Intro THESIS Point 1 + 2 Facts Point 2 + 2 Facts
Closing

7. Helping the Environment
Step 1: Get Organized! It’s important to organize your thoughts. Consider using a diagram to organize your main points and the facts you will use to prove them.
Helping the Environment
Recycle
Reduce Consumption
Reuse

8. Your thesis statement will have three parts.
The THESIS Statement
Your thesis statement will have three parts.
The first part states the topic.
“The American Revolution…”
The second part states an point.
“…was caused by…”
The third part includes the facts you will use to prove your point.
“…the lack of representation for colonists, high taxes, and a deep desire for self-rule.”
“The American Revolution was caused by the lack of representation in Parliament, high taxes, and a deep desire for self-rule.”

9. A Good Paragraph Topic Sentence Three Examples Conclusion
Each paragraph should be no less than three sentences and follow this format.
Topic Sentence
Three Examples
Conclusion
“Watching television is enjoyable but it can also be harmful. Many children develop short attention spans as a result of too much television. Also, television can be distracting and keep children from accomplishing their goals. For these reasons, television should be limited each day.”

10. The Body of the Essay Main Point 1 Fact 1 Fact 2
Why these facts are important.
Closing
Main Point 2
Main Point 3

11. Putting It All Together
Step 1: Analyze the question to find the MAIN TOPIC. Brainstorm ideas. Step 2: Outline your essay. Identify the main points that fit into the topic. Step 3: Create a thesis statement based on your main points. Step 4: Outline Again. Identify the facts you will use to support your main points. Step 5: Write the Essay. Step 6: Take a break! Walk away and do something else. Step 7: Proof read your essay for errors. Read it out loud!

12. Let’s Do This Together
Prompt: Using your knowledge of literature, answer the following question.
How does an author create a mood of suspense in their writing? Consider writing style, plot, and characterization.

13. Main Topic: How an author creates a mood of suspense.
Images
Dark Characters
Setting
Word Choice

14. Thesis Statement
In their writing, authors establish suspense through the setting, descriptive words, and the characters in that are portrayed.

15. The Setting
Descriptive Words
Characters
A dark and stormy night
A gloomy castle
The cold wind
The door creeks open
“Dark and stormy”
“Gloomy”
“Cold”
The man is full of anger.
The female is distrusting and suspicious.
The children are sleeping restlessly
This is the “proof” for my three body paragraphs which will serve to prove my thesis statement.

16. Let’s Review Don’t’ stress, plan and execute!
All essays should have 5 basic paragraphs.
Outline your points first!
The introductory paragraph should include a thesis statement which outlines your main point. Turn the question into a statement and answer it!
The 2nd-4th “body” paragraphs include your three main points and proof to support each point. Use topic sentences to start each body paragraph.
A good conclusion will not just repeat the introduction, but will give insight into WHY your points matter.
Proof read and check for clarity before submitting.