1. How to Write a Five Paragraph Essay Yep, write these down Yep, write these down

2. The basic high school essay should be organized in the following 5 paragraph format Introduction Introduction Body Paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 1 Body Paragraph 2 Body Paragraph 2 Body Paragraph 3 Body Paragraph 3 Conclusion Conclusion

3. Introduction Open your essay with a quote, anecdote, statistic, or rhetorical question Open your essay with a quote, anecdote, statistic, or rhetorical question For example, “Louis Pasteur said, ‘Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal: my strength lies solely in my tenacity.’ I often reflect on these words when I am creating my own goals.” For example, “Louis Pasteur said, ‘Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal: my strength lies solely in my tenacity.’ I often reflect on these words when I am creating my own goals.” By “breaking the ice,” you are luring the reader into your essay and giving them a personal attachment and/or reaction. By “breaking the ice,” you are luring the reader into your essay and giving them a personal attachment and/or reaction.

4. Introduction cont. Once you have completed the first step, you should jump into your argument. Once you have completed the first step, you should jump into your argument. After the opening statement, write your thesis statement. After the opening statement, write your thesis statement. A thesis statement is your opinion on the subject A thesis statement is your opinion on the subject For example, “By the end of this year, I hope to have met my goals and be a better person because of it.” For example, “By the end of this year, I hope to have met my goals and be a better person because of it.”

5. Introduction cont. Once your thesis statement is in place, you will create an organizing statement. Once your thesis statement is in place, you will create an organizing statement. This organizing statement should contain the support for your argument This organizing statement should contain the support for your argument For example, “The goals that I have set for myself include making new friends, passing all of my classes, and becoming a member of the baseball team.” For example, “The goals that I have set for myself include making new friends, passing all of my classes, and becoming a member of the baseball team.”

6. Body Paragraph One This paragraph should open with a topic sentence. This is like a mini-thesis for your paragraph. This paragraph should open with a topic sentence. This is like a mini-thesis for your paragraph. Once this has been created, you need to support your opinion with evidence. Once this has been created, you need to support your opinion with evidence. You then need to explain your evidence and clarify how it supports the main idea of the paragraph. You then need to explain your evidence and clarify how it supports the main idea of the paragraph.

7. Body Paragraph One cont. For example: For example: –Since I just moved here, I don’t know too many people. Having to sit alone at lunch every day is embarrassing and depressing. I usually just go to the library so nobody realizes I am alone. Not having friends makes it difficult to focus on school work. All I do is think of how I wish I were back home with my real friends.

8. Body Paragraph cont. Once you have listed all of your evidence and explained how it supports your argument, you will end your paragraph with a concluding statement. Once you have listed all of your evidence and explained how it supports your argument, you will end your paragraph with a concluding statement. For example, “It would really improve my morale and desire to come to school if I had at least one good friend.” For example, “It would really improve my morale and desire to come to school if I had at least one good friend.”

9. Body Paragraphs Two and Three You must open these paragraphs with a transitional sentence. You must open these paragraphs with a transitional sentence. –These transitions allows the paper to flow from the first supporting point to the last. –This makes it easier for the reader to follow along and creates a more coherent paper

10. Body Paragraphs 2 & 3 cont. Once you have written the transitional statement, you will follow the same exact rules and structure as the first paragraph. Once you have written the transitional statement, you will follow the same exact rules and structure as the first paragraph. The only difference is that you will have different topics to support your argument. The only difference is that you will have different topics to support your argument.

11. Conclusion Your conclusion is a wrap up of the entire essay. You should be writing your conclusion with the belief that you have proven everything you have set out to prove in your essay. Your conclusion is a wrap up of the entire essay. You should be writing your conclusion with the belief that you have proven everything you have set out to prove in your essay. You need to reiterate your stance on your argument (your thesis), the topics you used to support your thesis and include a concluding sentence. You need to reiterate your stance on your argument (your thesis), the topics you used to support your thesis and include a concluding sentence.