1. Mrs. Whitaker 9th Literature and Composition
Five Paragraph Essay
Mrs. Whitaker
9th Literature and Composition

2. Introduction Paragraph
Attention-getter: question, quote or interesting statement used to capture attention of the reader
Background Information: tell what essay will focus on
Give author and title, summary of story
Three-point Thesis: list 3 main points you plan to talk about
Example: Three elements of foreshadowing in “The Cask of Amontillado” include the toast, the trowel and the family motto.
NOT a thesis: Three things in the story include the conversation at the party, the walk down into the catacombs and the death of Fortunato.

3. Body Paragraph 1
Topic Sentence: list first point of thesis (in order it is given in thesis)
Example: The first element of foreshadowing in “The Cask of Amontillado is the toast between Fortunato and Montresor.
Supporting Details: Retell a specific example from the story that shows this.
Example: For example, when Montresor leads Fortunato down in the cellar and gives him a draft of Medoc…
Commentary: explain example and show how it supports topic sentence/thesis point.
This example foreshadows Fortunato’s death because the conversation focuses on life and death. Fortunato, not knowing he will soon be killed, toasts to the dead around him—and Montresor, with a malicious sense of humor, claims that he toasts to Fortunato’s “long life.” Fortunato ignores this obvious reference to his doom soon to come.

4. Body Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence: list second point of thesis
Supporting Details: retell example from the story
Commentary: explain example and show how it supports topic sentence/thesis point

5. Body Paragraph 3 Topic Sentence: list third point of thesis
Supporting Details: retell example from story
Commentary: explain example and show how it supports topic sentence/thesis

6. Conclusion Paragraph
Restate Thesis: State thesis points once again without repeating word for word
Example: Poe uses several instances of foreshadowing such as the conversation about life over wine, the masonry tool that becomes a murder weapon, and the family coat of arms to give clues about the ending of the story.
Closure: provide a final thought or solution
Poe’s masterfully crafted story teases readers throughout with tantalizing clues or pieces of a larger puzzle that can only be put together once the story is at its end.

7. Additional Advice No use of “I” or “you” in a literary essay
Always use specific examples in body paragraphs rather than vague, general references
No contractions or slang
Once you use full name of author once—only need to use last name second, third, or fiftieth time thereafter
Example: first time: Edgar Allan Poe’s story…
Example: second time: Poe’s story…
Use present tense (talk about the story as if it was written in the present)
Example: Montresor approaches his friend and asks him if he would like to see a barrel of Amontillado. (NOT past tense: approached; asked)