How to Successfully Write a Basic Five Paragraph Essay

Writing an essay.

Many essay writing guides tell you to select a topic, write a thesis statement, draft, revise and then you're magically done. If it were that easy, you wouldn't need a guide in the first place. Many of the finer points of essay writing, while not obvious, can be learned quite quickly.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil (not pen)
• Internet access
• Topic, prompt, or purpose
• Audience

1. Before you begin to write an essay, you need to think of four basic questions.
   1) Who or what am I writing about?
   2) Why am I writing this (what is my point)?
   3) Who will be reading this?
   4) Do I want to describe my topic, inform someone about my topic, or persuade someone to see my topic my way.

   Write the answers to these questions down. This is part of your planning process. Once the questions have been answered, you can move on to the next part of your plan.

2. You need to build your introductory paragraph. this step is not as simple as "write a thesis statement." If you are stuck here, it's ok. This is where most authors get stuck.

   You first need to get the reader's attention. I call the attention getter the "oh snap" factor. If you do not hook your reader from the beginning, you have failed before you begin. To gain a reader's attention you can start with a startling fact (Four out of five ...), a direct question to the reader (Have you ever...), or a quote (Joe Cool once said ...).

   Once you have the readers attention, you can build a thesis statement. To build a thesis statement, finish this statement: (YOUR TOPIC) pick a verb or verb phrase (FINISH THE THOUGHT), because (REASON 1, REASON 2, AND REASON 3). For example:
   "Year around school should be implemented because it would save money for schools, it would improve assessment scores, and it would decrease vandalism during the summer."

   Once you have a thesis statement, and an attention getter, you can complete your introduction and move onto your body.

3. Your body paragraphs are really quite easy compared to your introduction. Your thesis statement has provided you with the structure for the rest of your essay.

   Your first body paragraph will begin with and support (REASON 1) from your thesis statement. In our example thesis, our first paragraph would be about saving money for schools. You begin the paragraph with that thought and supply three or four sentences that support or prove your reason.

   Your second body paragraph will prove or support (REASON 2), and the third body paragraph will support (REASON 3).

   Your support or proof should come in the form of researched fact or observed example. Here is an example paragraph (see if you can tell which body paragraph it is):
   "Statistics demonstrate that vandalism becomes worse during the summer months. The local police chief attributes this to the fact that students are out of school and are left with idle time on their hands. If students remained in school all summer long, they would be focused on school work and homework. Our town could have the peace it enjoys throughout the school year all summer long."

   Once your body is complete, you can conclude your essay.

4. Your conclusion is even easier than the body. All you need to is restate the main idea of your introduction. Your thesis statement should be reorganized and restated. For example:
   "Less vandalism, more cost efficient schools, and higher assessment scores are within reach if year around school becomes a reality."

   Once your piece is built, revise, proofread, and edit and your essay will be complete.

Tips & Warnings

• Your final draft should be computer generated to verify spelling and grammar.

• Have a partner or family member read your work, and always read it too yourself.

• This process will give you a proficient essay. To take it to the next step look into figurative language (metaphor or simile) and rich word choice.